Ellis returned in front of Artificis? desk and put the head down onto it. Its dead eyes stared at him, its mouth agape in permanent shock. Artificis looked up at her.

  “What happened to you?” He asked her, a slight concern in his rattly voice. “You look like a troglodyte.”

  “Well, I managed to wound him severely, but he ran off to a field. It started raining and you can probably work out the rest.”

  “Clean yourself up. I shall have your suit sent to the dry cleaners.”

  Ellis stood under the steaming shower, letting it cover her. She sighed, relief immediately flowing over her, the scalding water washing out her wounds and drenching her long acquired scars. What didn't kill her simply made her stronger and scarier. After finishing, she stepped out and dried herself, throwing on a dressing gown. Artificis visited the dry cleaners. With some bribery and no questions asked about the small blood spatters, they got on with the job.

  Artificis sat at his desk, scribbling away in a diary. There was a knock on the door. “Enter.” He called out, putting the pen down, looking up at the opening door. A henchman came in, a briefcase in his hand. He put it down at the desk.

  “The money, as requested.” He said. Artificis undid the clasps and opened the briefcase, looking at the neat pile of fifty pound bills. He closed it up a couple of seconds later and stood up, nodding to the henchman. He nodded back and turned, walking back to his business. Artificis exited his office, the briefcase in his hand, and made his way down the corridors, coming to a large metal door. He tapped in a code and opened it. Inside was a large vault door. Tapping in a series of codes, he turned the large wheel and opened it, swinging it wide. Inside was a man sitting at a desk. Behind him, were hundreds of bags filled with valuables, stacked briefcases of cash, and priceless artefacts. The man sat at a computer, typing down numerous numbers on a spreadsheet. Artificis placed the briefcase down by the accountant’s feet.

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  “How much is there?” He asked him. The accountant swivelled his chair over to him.

  “It adds up to almost four hundred million pounds.” He replied. “That is also including the estimated value of the treasures.”

  Artificis merely nodded. He turned and walked off, closing the vault door behind himself.

  Ellis sat in the organisation?s cafeteria, having lunch. That was when she noticed the man sitting far away, seeming to be staring at her. He was tall, herself noticing the length of his crossed legs under the table. Standing up, he walked up to her, sitting down opposite her. He was dressed in a white three-piece pinstripe suit and a matching fedora with a black brim. A black tie was strung around his neck and his hands were gloved in white cotton. His face was rough and lined with stubble.

  “Hello there.” He greeted her.

  “Likewise.” Ellis replied, giving him a smile.

  “I just wanted to say that I admire you and what you do for Artificis.”

  “Why, thank you.”

  “The name is Frank Michaels.”

  “What's with the uniform? Are you supposed to be a detective or something?”

  “Well, yes, but actually no.”

  “Please, elaborate.”

  “I was a homicide detective long ago, but Artificis recruited me as his personal assassin.”

  “So, all of those missing people–”

  “That was me.”

  “Blimey, I'm impressed.”

  “Please, the pleasure is all mine. If it weren't for you, Artificis would not be alive. You protect him as though he was your father.”

  Ellis chuckled. “Well, he has earned us God knows how much with all of that cash and stolen artefacts. His plans always work.”

  “Indeed.”

  They both stared at each other for a couple of moments, until Frank cleared his throat. “May I ask you out to dinner?”

  “That would be lovely.”

  “How about that fancy restaurant down the road? I'm buying, of course.”

  “Of course.”

  “How about tomorrow at eight?”

  “I shall see you there.” Ellis winked at him, flashing him a devilish smile. She stood up from the table and turned on her heel, walked off. Frank watched her go, almost hypnotised by her waving silver hair. He cleared his throat gruffly and then departed, tending to his own matters.