I walked through the thick night fog, swirling under a silver moon. I held my hand against the cool stone wall. In the other hand I carried a knife sharp and  ready, hidden in the silk folds of my gown.

Usually I wore a dark cloak that hid my weapons, even the knife, but not tonight.  Tonight I was playing someone else.

As I moved through the empty street, I noticed an animal near by, a deer perhaps. Though I had great night vision, I couldn’t see the deer but I could smell it on the wind.

I smiled as I heard footsteps behind me. A man came from the fog, he wore a dark business suit.

“Maranda, darling, I’m here.” He said, “What took you so long?”

I moved swiftly from the shadows and plunged the dagger deep in his throat.. Blood sprayed forth like thick warm drops of rain covering my hands and the front of my dress. I was glad the dress was red.

The body stayed standing for a second, his face wore a surprised look, as he toppled forwards to land at my feet.

I absent mindedly licked the blood off my hands, bending over I wiped the blade on his coat, then I went through his pockets and pulled the rings off his fingers.

When he was found I wanted the police to think it was a simple robbery gone bad.

I walked to a near by park and  picked my cloak up off the bench, putting it around me to cover the blood.

                                                        ****************************

The third table has just collapsed under the large man’s body. The smaller man sat down at the bar and ordered a whiskey, then he sat nursing  the whiskey and a swollen nose. To those who frequented  the small tavern, the intermittent  fights was a normal part of the atmosphere.

A woman dance naked on the bar to an old Def Leopard song. She didn’t look sexy, only tired. I sat with my back to the wall, watching the door, as I drank a bottle of beer.

I knew it was him though I’d never met him. He spotted me and walked over to my table.

He sat down across from me without saying a word. I slid the rings and a heart necklace across the table to him.

He noticed the blood on the items, closing his eyes as if he was suffering  pangs of remorse. Funny how it’s easier to feel remorse after the jobs done.

He slid an envelope across the table, it was heavy so I was sure it held my fee.

“Is that all?” He questioned.

I nodded my head.

He said sharply, “Let me remind you, that my name is to be in no way connected to this.”  Trying to lean close enough to see my face hidden in the hood of the cloak.

I grabbed his arm and shoved him back not letting him come any closer.  “ There’s things I can do to you , that’s a lot worse than death.“ I growled.

“All right,”  he said abruptly. “It finished.”

Just then the waitress came passed  and I ordered another beer. When I looked back the man was gone.

I left some money on the table and walked outside. It was time to kill again, but this time it wouldn’t be for profit.

I heard giggling from the alley. A woman stood with her back against the wall talking to a well dressed gentleman with gray hair.

She ask, “How lonely, a hundred dollars worth for one night?”

I left them there to complete their business as I melted into the shadows.