Sometimes, the beginning of a story hits my brain and just...sits there. It's the start of a cool book, but I have no idea what happens next. With no further ado, here comes the brain worm.
What was her family's pet assassin doing in Coco Bristol's boss' florist shop?
It was 5pm on a Friday night and Coco was sweeping the plant cuttings off the floor. The bells on the door rang cheerily. She glanced up. Her hands gripped the broom handle when she recognized one of Seattle's most deadly men.
"Frank Rectory," the gentleman in question said. "I'm here to see Nicole Gomez."
Coco had left the family behind years ago, but she retained the sangfroid necessary to survive in a gun merchant's family. Her thorn-scarred hand knocked on Nicole's office and with a cool voice, she announced the visitor.
"Oh, let him in," Nicole looked like a Playboy Bunny with big blonde curls and a body made for wiggle dresses. Her voice naturally sounded like Jessica Rabbit, but she was the sweetest thing Coco had ever met. She'd thought it was impossible for someone to be so unjaded, but Nicole Gomez was the real thing. Whatever 'Frank' thought he was doing with her, Coco was there to protect her friend.
Frank, real name Jonas Squire, maintained his perfect kill record by not being what anyone thought of as assassin. He wasn't tall, dark, tattooed, and dangerous. He was medium height, with a disarming, "Aw, shucks" smile, and sea-green eyes. At least, that was his Frank Rector persona. Jonas had dozens of looks and the ability to kill in hundreds of ways.
If he were here, it meant that Coco's mother had an idea of how to use a four shop florist chain.
"You can go home, Coco," Nicole said. "Mr. Frank and I have private business to discuss."
Coco slipped on her hoodie, grabbed her purse, and left the shop. The Seattle rain soon swallowed her from view. She could leave Nicole to her fate. But the woman had been a good friend. Unless Jonas/Frank was honestly here for a friendly booty call, there would soon be a nasty surprise for everyone involved.
But Coco had her own surprises.
She pulled out her insurance policy - a sniper rifle she'd hidden in a secret compartment of the flower shop's brick walls. She hadn't forgotten a thing she'd taught Jonas.
