Chương 32: One Two, Snickerdoo

"Regina, is there any way you can get out of there, unnoticed?" the voice asked so softly that Regina had a difficult time hearing it. Regina scoffed, "You don't know me very well, do you? Let's just say, going unnoticed is part of my job description."

"I am aware of your… let's just say… eh, talents," the voice whispered.

"What I am asking is there any way for you to get out of there and still have them believe that you are there?" Regina went to her sofa and sat down hard, then turned to make sure her face was not directed toward the window. She could not risk them seeing her talking.

"Are they listening too?" she asked cautiously.

"To the best of our knowledge, no, they have not placed any audio surveillance inside your apartment. You do, however, have several men watching your apartment. They are both inside and outside the building."

"Are my lines clear then too?" she asked, flipping her wrist and her screen popping up.

"Not sure if your accounts are bugged if that is what you're asking," the voice replied. Regina began scrolling nonchalantly on Bleep.

"Okay, I will press the button when I am out and in a secure location. Leave the rest to me," Regina said, continuing to scroll.

"That device also lets me know your location. There is a second button. Do you see it?" the voice asked. Regina felt for the second button casually on the device beside her, never taking her eyes off the screen.

"Yes."

"Okay, good. Press that one and we will come to wherever you are," the voice replied.

"I will be in touch," Regina said, abruptly ending the conversation. She slipped the device back into her pocket and continued to scroll. She sat for several minutes scrolling through the ridiculous posts on Bleep.

"Blackwood fixes everything," she scoffed. She flipped to the messaging function and began typing a message. Hey Rox if you don't have plans – com by, she typed before hitting send. Then texted, *come, and hit send again. The message almost instantly showed that it had been read. The device showed her that Roxie was typing. 2 funny I was just about to see what you were up to was thinking of getting takeout and heading over- you down???? I know you have nothing to eat there LOL. The screen flashed.

Regina replied, UR the best!!! C you soon! She flipped her wrist to close the app, then stood up and casually walked to the window. She stood there and nonchalantly looked at the windows of the building across the street.

"Nope," she whispered.

"Still there." Her anger simmered as she stared straight at her observer, fighting the urge to lift a hand and wave. She held herself still, refusing to give them even a flicker of satisfaction. With a sharp flick of her wrist, she shut the blinds and headed back to the couch. A short time later, her doorbell rang. Regina glanced at her security screen. Roxie stood in the hallway holding several bags of what appeared to be takeout from Chaz Viollia, her favorite.

She moved to the door, making a show of checking the peephole before opening it.

"I brought enough to feed an army," Roxie announced, sweeping past Regina with her usual energy.

"Though knowing you, you probably haven't eaten all day." She headed straight for the kitchen, her heels clicking against the hardwood floor. Regina shut and locked the door, watching as Roxie began unloading containers onto the counter. To anyone watching, it would look like any other evening. Just two friends sharing dinner. Nothing more. Regina knew better. Roxie's seemingly casual movements, the way she positioned herself away from the windows, and the slight tension in her shoulders.

It all told a very different story. This text was taken from Royal Road. Help the author by reading the original version there. Roxie headed to her sister and gave her a hug before whispering in her ear.

"What's going on? Your message was loud and clear, Gee Gee."

"I'm just glad you remember the code. It's been a hot minute since we used it. Color me, impressed," she whispered back.

"I'm being watched. We need to pull the old one-two and then I need to go."

"Eyes, ears, inside and out?" Roxie asked softly. Regina answered, "Eyes, out. No ears that I know of."

"Okay, let's eat," Roxie said. Regina began grabbing some plates from the cupboard. Roxie opened the drawer and pulled out several different utensils before the two began filling their plates.

"Smells wonderful," Regina said, taking in the scents of the combination of foods.

"It's such a lovely evening. Shall we sit out on the balcony and enjoy our feast?" Roxie asked, walking to the sliding door. The pair made their way outside, sat at the small table, and began to eat.

"Did you figure out that puzzle?" Roxie asked, scanning the surroundings. Regina started to laugh before responding, "Yes, I did, the answer was 24." Roxie's eyes immediately scanned the building across the street.

"Well, I'll be, it was that simple, was it? How long did it take you?"

"I don't know," Regina replied.

"One maybe, two days could've been more. I'm not sure."

"I'm so glad you figured it out. I was kind of getting sick of hearing you talk about it," she said, rolling her eyes.

"Did you manage on your own, or did you have help?"

"An acquaintance of mine helped. Once they explained things, I wasn't sure how I missed it," Regina replied.

"I don't remember mentioning it that much. I'm sorry," Regina apologized.

"Yes, yes you did," Roxie said, looking around the balcony casually.

"Did I tell you how much I love your plant?" Regina looked at Roxie, surprised. Roxie stood up and made her way to an exotic looking plant nestled in the corner of the balcony.

"I especially love this one, is it new?" she asked, bending over to get a closer look.

"As a matter of fact, it is," Regina said standing up and walking closer to her sister.

"Someone at work gave it to me," she said, casually.

"Isn't it gorgeous?"

"Yes, it is." Roxie laughed.

"Secret Admirer?" Regina scoffed.

"No! Nothing like that, just an appreciation gift for a job well done."

"Well," Roxie said, returning to her seat, "at least someone appreciates you." She took another bite of her food, then gestured with her fork.

"Just remember to water this one, water it good too. It looks like the type of thing found in tropical places, and it's just so dry here. I'm guessing you can't over water something like that." Regina rolled her eyes dramatically.

"We can't all have your green thumb, sis." She stabbed her food with perhaps a bit more force than necessary.

"I think I'll water it now. I haven't watered it since I brought it home," she said, standing up with the pitcher of water they had brought out.

"Great idea!" Roxie laughed.

"We know how terrible you are with remembering those things. You always have been. I'm sorry, but you can really be an airhead. I swear you would forget your head if it wasn't attached. Like that one time when we went on vacation," Roxie's tone was light, but her eyes met Regina's meaningfully.

"You were in such a hurry to go, you forgot to pack anything useful." She laughed.

"I thought mom and dad were going to kill you when they had to buy you everything when we got there." Regina leaned back in her chair, taking a sip of water.

"That was different. I was a kid. I'm older, wiser, and far more experienced than I was then."

"Older and more experienced, but I wouldn't say wiser," Roxie teased, placing another forkful in her mouth.

"Speaking of vacations, did I tell you I am finally taking one?"

"Really? When?" Regina asked, feigning surprise.

"Sometime tonight, that's why I was planning on stopping by. I wanted to let you know in case you couldn't reach me," she said.

"You know, I wouldn't want you to worry."

"I appreciate that," Regina said, placing a hand on her sister's.

"Must be nice to be able to get up and go like that," Regina commented, sarcasm tinging her voice.

"Some of us other peons have to work for a living."

"You could too, if you weren't such a workaholic," Roxie said, reaching for her water glass.

"I mean, when's the last time you took a real break? You're always saying, next month or after this assignment." She gestured broadly with her free hand.

"Life's too short to spend it all working." Regina shrugged, pushing a piece of food around her plate.

"Some of us have responsibilities. Bills to pay, reports to file..." She glanced at her sister.

"Plants to water."

"If I knew when I'd be back, I'd have you come along on my adventure," Roxie said.

"Tell me you are not working over the weekend."

"No, no more overtime," she sighed.

"Well at least for agents of my…" she paused, "let's just say, status," Regina said, looking disgusted.

"Don't start Gee Gee," Roxie said, looking over at the plant.

"I wouldn't want you to get your blood pressure going, it's not good for your health."

"You're right, it's Friday night, leave work at work, right?" Regina said, half smiling.

"Did I show you what I did to my bathroom?" she asked casually.

"It's to die for. I think you're going to love it!" she said animatedly.

"No, you didn't." Roxie looked at her watch.

"Well, if you are going to show me, you better show me now, I should be hitting the road, I have a lot of stuff to do before I head out on my trip."

"Well let's go then," Regina said, standing up to lead the way.