Part Three... Crease... def... overlap, wrinkle.
 
She patted aloe gel into her left cheek and examined it carefully. A little puffy but it might not bruise. Damn that kid was quick. The pair of them, young triad punks lined up by Master Chung as he tried to set them straight, keep them out of the gangs. She couldn't help but have a wry smile at that one, she might not be directly gang related but she was hardly straight. Still they probably didn't know that, not many did. The walk back up from Chinatown was a little slower than coming down and a hot shower was definitely in order.

Clicked off the blow dryer and fluffed her hair, fixed her make up, checked the cheek and shrugged. Adjusted her clothing and scanned the room quickly. That had been a hell of a workout, those two macho little punks were good but she guessed slightly less condescending than they were now. She was damn good too. It was good to catch up with Master Chung, he was an amazing man and had helped her a great deal over the years. He might be in his sixties but no way would she take him on for real. Training sure and he kicked her arse, she chuckled at that. Getting ones butt kicked was good for you now and then. Character building, kept you on your toes.

The Sheraton Doorman swung her C63 AMG Mercedes onto the apron of the hotel and with a sigh opened the door to climb out, he saw some nice cars but this one would really suit him, he doubted he could afford the steering wheel, let alone the car. Navy blue rather than the more common cream, silver or black and not this exact model, all style with a kick. Just like it's owner, damn she'd suit him too, but no chance.

She slipped her laptop bag into the rear passenger seat well and closed the door, turning to the porter and handed him a ten as he placed her two bags in the boot and gently closed it and then the doorman a twenty as he handed her the keys with a smile then turned slightly to look enviously at the car. She almost laughed.

"Nice isn't it."

"Oh yes, I wouldn't mind one at all."

"It was a toss up, this or the BMW 520 M, this is 'darker', has more kick, zero to a hundred k in under five seconds. A wolf in sheep's clothing, rather suits me I think."

"Oh hell yes, baa baa blue sheep, dark works for me", and he chuckled and bowed to her.

With a delighted laugh she smiled as he tipped his hat and pursed his lips at the growl from the exhaust as she hit the start button, a hundred and fifty grand and it's yours me old mate. She smiled again and pulled out slowly into the Elizabeth Street city traffic.

Flipped the control for the sound system and blinked as ..'.I'm a single lady, I'm a single lady oh oh oh... oh oh oh... '…., after a couple of seconds she flicked the toggle again and took a deep breath as she was washed by the soulful strains of Miles Davis from In a Silent Way. Bloody car park attendants, radio, I left it on CD. Damn... that song, ack, maybe I should make a quick trip to LA and shoot that silly bitch. Come on Cassie, relax girl... The slow traffic split and she veered right at the end of the park at St James Station to swing up onto Macquarie Street and sat waiting for a light just at the corner.

Gazing casually across to a group of men standing back a little near the statue in front of the church and the law courts pathway, she squinted slightly and focused.

"Well, well, look who's here." she muttered softly to herself.

Her eyes roved around the group and the surroundings. Judge, Surgeon, Clerk and Barrister and coming toward them about five metres away Inspector and she was amused to note the limp and the stiff left hand. The sudden itch of anger surprised her as holding Inspectors right hand and seemingly a little sleepy was a small boy. Trainers, hoodie, a T and baggy jeans. Damn that could have been you girl, fifteen years ago. Then another, Nurse joined the group carrying a knotted half full garbage bag and took the boys right hand. Wonder what the word for a group of lizards is? They all seemed jolly, if lizards in the sun could do jolly.

With a quick fumble in her bag she pulled her new phone, imagine carrying an android round in your handbag she mused. Lowered the passenger window as the traffic began to move and snapped three shots as she cruised past. The window rolled up and checking the mirror none of them had noted her she was sure.

So why are you surprised girl, you know what they are. The anger, the tunnelling of vision, that was... unexpected. Hey... not my problem. She turned up the music and headed down Macquarie, onto the Bridge headed north and up the M2, cut across to the Western Freeway and began the climb up into the mountains. An hour and a half after leaving the city she turned West off the old Highway at Blackheath and wound down a narrow road to her home. A two acre property set on the cliff top overlooking the Megalong Valley. The gate swung open and the garage door rose and then they closed in turn behind her.

It was only early afternoon, a light and pleasant if chilly day, the mountain air crisp and invigorating. For some reason she was at odds, unable to settle or decide what to do with herself. A stroll down into the valley perhaps...yet it would be slippery and damp so not ideal. Thoughts kept floating in and out, memories old and new. Last night... she ran it through and it was as near perfect as mattered. The morning workout and those two smartarse punks. Near adults and as tough and vicious as any hardened gangster. Both quick and nasty, their willingness to go full out and hurt her had surprised her at first. The bigger one had got a shot in and knocked her sideways as the smaller tried to take her legs and stomp her once down. It had taken a very quick and agile skip and kick to stop that one. They gained a lot more respect over the next ten minutes and had a few bruises of their own to think on. All in all a nice hard workout.

A slow motion image of that group near the statue and the boy. Past images of them and others... with a grunt of exasperation she headed through to her bedroom and stripped, changing into workout gear and light dance slippers. She headed down to the basement and circled for a few minutes before attacking the wooden man and working up and down for several minutes, slow and gradually faster until her hands blurred and sweat ran into her eyes. Gasping she stepped back and paced some more getting her breath then stepping into a matted area with a half dozen angled speed balls at different heights she spun and punched and kicked, bouncing and dancing and dodging the swinging blobs and the elastic cables that held them. After half an hour she stepped back exhausted and sodden. Watched as the balls settled into place again and were still.

But her thoughts were not.

...to be continued... if there's interest. I'm winging it as a way to try and write, so... might not be my greatest effort but it's something.