”What the hell is going on?” Bette asked herself quietly, staring at the sunset absent-mindedly. She took a long drag on her cigarette before exhaling a blue cloud of smoke and watching it curl into a mesmerizing abstract pattern. She twisted the phone that was still clutched in her hand and pondered on what tactic she’d better use before going to Doctor Arnodelo’s office. She was sure as sure could be that some tactic was necessary. Just in case.

She unlocked her phone and quick dialed.

”Hey, it’s me again.”

”What’s up?” Marcus responded.

”Are you free tonight?”

”If you need me to be free, then yeah, I am.”

”I need a backup. Could you pick me up in half an hour?”

”Sure. Helena and Shane needed?”

Bette thought for a moment. ”Just Shane.”

”Oh, okay. Be right on time.”

Once the conversation was over, the brunette rose from the armchair, crushed her unfinished cigarette into the ashtray and left the balcony. She entered the bathroom, turned on the water in the sink and splashed her face twice. Having lifted her head, she penetrated her reflection in the mirror with an intent look. After another splash of water Bette wiped her face and speedily exited the bathroom. In the wardrobe she changed into a black shirt, black tailored pants with a plaque belt and a pair of low-heeled ankle boots. She then came straight to the hallway and put on her favourite long leather coat. Last thing she needed to do was to collect her gun. She moved aside one of the recliners at the parlor room before she squatted and proceeded to open a very small and inconspicuous safe hatch embedded in the wooden floor. Having worked it out, she took her handgun and skilfully loaded it with bullets. Bette knew that the gun was going to be taken away by security at Doctor Arnodelo’s office, that is why there was a secret pocket in her coat sleeve with a clasp-knife.

Just in case.

As she tucked the gun to the back into her pants, her phone rang out.

”We’ve arrived.”

”Coming,” Bette said and ended the call. She moved the recliner back on its place and marched toward the front door. As she passed by the hallway stand her eyes fell on the keys that were rested on it. They were Tina’s keys that she had given back one day. The brunette stared at the keys, thinking about calling Tina. But what would she say to her? She didn’t know what to say so that she wouldn’t be sounding suspicious, therefore she decided not to frighten her impressionable girlfriend. Once Bette cleared her head from the troubled thoughts she left the apartment.