Fast Fingers...

[LittleRedDevil]

The challenge was there, not just from the dumb blond, but from Razor too. Her head moved slightly, but it was enough. The lights turned green and the two cars took off. Mac didn't quite trust him though, and her knuckled were tuning white from gripping the door handle. The shithead noticed to and chuckled at her.

"What's the matter, Jamie girl? Are you a little worried?"

Mac gritted her teeth. "No, of course not, why would you think that?"

His answer was to chuckle and whip the car around a corner without even slowing down. If Mac were Catholic, she probably would have crossed herself.

They arrived at her apartment not long after that. "I'd be a real bitch if I didn't ask you up for coffee or something, after you brought me home and all."

Razor nodded, "Besides, you never answered my question."


They climbed the three floors to Mac's apartment. It was small, a one bedroom. Razor looked around. She could only hope he wouldn't say anything. "Why do you live in such a tiny place? I know you can afford more, especially after last nights heist."

Mac gave him a stern look and planted her hands on her hips, "What makes you so damn sure it was me anyways?" She didn't notice how his eyes dropped to her lips.

"Who else would it be? They found no evidence, and you're the only one who could get through a security system like the only my father has in that place."

He had a point. "You said you had two things, what's the other?"

 

[Tyriel]

Razor

Mac's place was hardly different to what I had expected. Although she probably had a fair amount of dosh stashed up somewhere or another, it wouldn't be like Mac to spend big and purchase a huge place - it would just make her more visible, and she didn't like that. Which made me wonder why she made such a scene at the diner.

"You said you had two things, what's the other?"

Ever so impatient. I tore gaze away from her full luscious lips, and turned around, flinging my jacket onto her couch. Planting myself comfortably on the couch, I put on my "thoughtful expression", my hands caressing the stubble upon my chin, the short hair crackling under my fingertips.

"Well, I was going to see if you were interested in going on a date. There's a jewellery auction, day from tomorrow. Private function - Dad and his mates only. But, that said and done, what they've got there will make your little ruby seem like pocket change." I nodded, my eyes locked to those striking eyes of hers, "unfortunately, the auction house, where the collection is at? Right next to the precinct. I figured you wouldn't be interested, so I guess I'll just settle for coffee."

 

[Angelus]

Captain Harrison was now standing and leaning forward, his hands on his desk and he was looking straight at Marcus.

"Just because you're a cop it does not give you permission to punch the first person that pisses you off in the jaw and knock him out cold."

"But sir, can I explain why I did what I did," Marcus said.

Captain Harrison sat back down and said, "There is no need. Your partner backed you up again and saved you. You should thank her one day."

Marcus looked at Captain Harrison in shock, not knowing what to say. He had never wanted a partner, told that to the captain and Desiree more times than he could count and she had just saved him. He looked at the captain and said, "I should do that."

"Now that this little talk is over, get out of my damn office and do some police work!"

Marcus got to his feet and walked to the door, opening it quickly just to see Desiree standing there. He smiled at her before he walked over to his desk, sat down and pulled out the file that he had on The Devil, beginning to read it intently.

 

[Isolde]

The first thing that went through her mind was,"That was quick." She then braced herself for Captian Harrison's bellow but it never came. Her mouth dropped open in amazement and then it occured to her that Marcus had just smiled at her.

Putting her hand up to her head, the thought came to her that she really needed to sit down. Walking over to where hers and Marcus' desks sat she stopped by her partner's first.

He sat there, ignoring her and reading his file like nothing had ever happened. A flood of thoughts came to her mind that she could say but in the end she sighed and said,"Fuck it," through gritted teeth and proceeded to her own desk.

Sitting down she was about to pick up the phone and resume calling thier contacts when it rang. Picking it up quickly, she said,"Robbery, Detective Ashford here."

She recognized the voice on the other end as one of thier contacts that she had talked to that morning. He had some news for her, he said, about a private auction.

Desiree listened to what he had to say punctuating it with statements of her own.
"Yes, Carl," Desiree said as she listened,"I hear you." "Yes, but I dont think even our girl is stupid enough to go for that." "Well, being hit once I am sure he is taking extra precautions." "Oh for crying out loud, Carl, who would hit an auction right by a police station." "What she took is still hot. I dont think she is gonna try anything that soon and certiantly not against someone she just robbed." "Pay you? For what? Listen if The Devil is brave enough to hit this auction I will pay you twice what I usually do for information but dont be cashing any checks against it."

She hung up the phone and sighed. What some people wouldnt do for money. Still...greed did provide a good source of information at times even though what she had just gotten was obviously an attempt to get some money for booze or drugs. She knew this contact too well. Still...she wondered how good of a challenge it would present to thier lady.

 

[Angelus]

Marcus looked up from his file when Desiree put her phone down, "Who was that partner?"

Desiree looked as if she had been taken aback when he said the word partner then said, "That was Carl, he said that he had a good tip on The Devil."

"Carl is nothing more than a lying, cheating swindler. I wouldn't trust him as far as I could throw him."

"I know, that is why I wasn't going to pay him," Desiree said, abruptly ending the conversation.

Marcus just looked at her, shrugged his shoulders then went back to reading his file when he noticed something and thought to himself, Why hadn't you seen that before you idiot. He got to his feet quickly, walked to Captain Harrison's office and knocked on the door getting a come in from Captain Harrison.

He walked into the office and said, "Sir, I think that I have a plan on how to catch The Devil."

"It'll never work," Captain Harrison said bluntly.

"But sir, I think that it will. If you will give me a chance to explain it-"

Captain Harrison looked at Marcus and said, "Sit down detective and tell me this plan of yours and it better be god damn fool proof."

 

[LittleRedDevil]

Her brain started turning and a sparkle came into her eyes. A jewel heist right next to the precint? Right where that dumb son of a bitch worked? She almost laughed out loud. It was just to easy. Stop that, a voice whispered, you are getting to cocky. It was his voice. The one that taunted her to be perfect.

"An auction, huh? And I suppose that I will be your date to this little saray?"

His grin turned wicked. He knew she was interested, "But of course. My father has invited me along. No one he knows, can spot a fake or phoney better than me, but then he doesn't know you."

"Won't he be a little suspious about you bringing in an unknown factor?"

"He will be at first, but I know you will charm him. He will be especially bedazzled by your knowledge of the jewels. So, what do you say, Jamie? Do we have a date?"

"How could I turn down such a sweet talker like you?" there was a hint of the teasing self she kept underneath, "What should I wear?"

"It's black tie, although I can't understand why." He got up from his comfy position on the couch and started to circle her. Why did he have to make her feel like a hare being stalked by hawk. "You do have something to wear don't you?"

"Of course I do."

He chuckled at her, "Good then all that's left to do is seal our bargin."

"And how do you suppose we do that?"

"Like this." He tipped her head back and brushed his lips across hers, before deepening it. His tongue parted her lips, making a slow foray inside.

She was slow to react, but she soon pulled away, "I think it's time for you to leave. I'll see you in two days. What time should I be ready?"

Razor just stared at her for a moment, "7:30." He brushed past her, and was gone when Mac turned around.

 

[Angelus]

Marcus sat back and looked at Captain Harrison who looked back at him, a thoughtful expression on his face.

"It'll never work Marcus and there is no way that I can get you in."

"But sir, it will work. I am sure of it but I have to get in to that auction because there is something there that The Devil would love to steal."

Captain Harrison stood and said, "I'll see what I can do but I am not promising anything."

"That is all that I ask," Marcus said before he got to his feet and walked to the door, opening it.

He began to walk towards the elevator but stopped before he reached it and called out, "Desiree, hey- partner! You better hurry up or I am going to leave you behind."

Desiree got up out of her chair quickly and said, "Where are we going?"

A smile came to Marcus' face and he said, "That is for me to know and for you to find out."

 

[Tyriel]

Razor - 6:30pm, two days later - Steiner residence

Razor stood before the mirror and stared at his own reflection. The tailor made suit jacket hung perfectly over his broad shoulders, the slightly loose cutting of the suit hiding his well toned body beneath. He frowned slightly as he slipped a finger under the collar, futilely tugging at it. Tuxedoes had never been his favourite. Satisfied that the outfit was appropriate, he pulled out his mobile, and fingered in Mac's number.

"Mac? Razor." he said, as he paced around the room.

"God Raz, could you pick a more inconvenient time? I'm changing." replied Mac in her usual annoyed tone of voice.

Unbeknown to Mac, a grin appeared on Razor's face, as he let his imagination run free with images of Mac undressed.

"Oh good. I take it you've got something to wear then." he smirked, "make sure you've got the appropriate accessories too eh? A pair of earrings, necklace, handbag, lock picking kit..."

"Way ahead of you." interuptted Mac.

A shuffle, silence, ruffle of material, body slipping into dress.

"It's all good then isn't it? I'll be over in fifteen to pick you up."

He shut the phone down and slipped it back into his jacket pocket, and strolled over to his desk. Sliding down into his leather arm chair, he reached down under his desk and flicked the hidden switch, causing the secret compartment to emerge from behind the bookcase. From within, he pulled out a pair of IR goggles and his electronic lock picking kit. He knew quite well that Mac was very insistent on the ancient art of cat burgulary, but there was only so much one can do with a metal lock pick in this day and age of electronic and computerized secruity systems.

Lighting up another cigarette, Razor casually strolled towards his car.

 

[LittleRedDevil]

She tossed the phone on the bed, cursing because she wasn't going to be finished when he got here. He was going to be early and she was going to be late. Mac zipped herself into the stapless cobalt sheth. It hugged her curves, before falling to the floor, trailing slightly behind her. It really was simply, but the color made her eyes sparkle. Her choker was made of diamonds and saphires that almost seemed black, it hugged her neck leaving the expanse of her neck bare. The earrings, and braclet were a perfect match. The set was a gift from one of her buyers, made from some jewels she had swiped.

She looked at her reflection in the mirror with a critical eye. Nothing there seemed to impress her, except her hair. The mass was piled on top of her head, with part of it streaming down her back, she pulled out a few strands at her ears to soften the effect. She slipped her feet into a pair of silver high heels, that complimented the metal in the jewelry. She would be lucky if she didn't break her neck.

She grabbed her little blue bag and white velvet wrap just as the doorbell was ringing. She yanked the door open with a jerk. She almost snapped at him, but remembered her promise to be nice tonight. How else was she going to charm his father and his cronies. She smiled at him, "Would you mind helping me with my wrap?"

 

[Tyriel]

Razor

He stood there, a lump in his throat. He blinked a few times.

"Would you mind helping me with my wrap?"

He watched the words leave her lips word by word, her sparkling eyes seeing straight through him. The dress emphasized every perfect curve - Jamie was sensuality personified, but yet there was a certain class that was undeniable. Razor shook his head subtley in disbelief, and took the smooth velvet wrap from Jamie's hand.

"Eh... sure." he managed to blabber out.

Jamie grinned, having never before seen him so flustered and lost for word. She turned around to allow him to assist with the wrap, effectively presenting her tight arse to him. Everything about her was perfect, the dress, the jewellery, the demeanour, the hair, the body... Razor swallowed hard again, and laid the wrap over her shoulders, unable to resist the temptation to reach out and brush the back of his fingers over her silky smooth shoulders. Tracing his fingertips up her neck, he delicately brushed a strand of her hair behind her ear, and leant forward - whispering in her ear, allowing the warmth of his breath to tickle her earlobe.

"Ready to party?"

 

[LittleRedDevil]

She shivered as his breath hit her ear. What on earth was wrong with her? This is Razor, but that didn't seem to matter to her body, the traitor. She pulled the wrap about her like a shield before turning back to face him.

She winked at him, "I'm always ready to party."

He smiled at Mac had to catch her breath, he really was hansome, at least when he wasn't getting on her nerves. "Shall we?" He offered his arm and feeling a little like they were going to the prom, she took it.

When they were ensconed in the comforts of his car, she asked the one thing that had her a little confused. "Razor, why are you planning a theft from your own father?"

 

[Tyriel]

Razor

"Razor, why are you planning a theft from your own father?"

Razor flicked his consumed cigarette out the car window. The relationship between Razor and his father begun to deteriorate fifteen years ago, when Razor's mother passed away in a tragic accident. Both men were extremely fond of the lady, and as result, both of them regressed into shells of their own. Razor became cold and distant, as his father, distraught by the loss of his beloved wife, consitently took "business trips" to get away from reality. Through time, the two grew apart, Razor adopting the life of a cat burgular, angry and resenting his father's indiscretions after his mother's death.

"Does it matter?" replied Razor defensively, his eyes glued to the road, avoiding any eye contact.

The rest of the journey remained continued in silence.

He pulled the car up just past the precinct, and into the auction house's dark alley carpark. Switching the ignition off, he glanced over his shoulder to check the surroundings, and turned to fill Mac in on the rest of the night's plan.

"The main prize tonight is a set of South African diamonds, held in the main vault on the top floor of the building. I'll show the staircase up to the main vault when we get inside."

Razor stopped momentarily and checked the expression on Jamie's face to ensure she was listening and understood. She pulled her gaze away from the precinct and smiled at him, nodding in acknowledgement. He continued.

"Once upstairs, hit a left, and you'll be greeted by a wide corridor which leads straight to the vault. Unfortunately, the corriodor is guarded reasonably well. Four video cameras are set in various angles twenty four seven; the corridor is lined by twelve moving infra-red sensors, and the vault itself is locked via a traditional keylock and an electromagnetic lock controlled by a four digit code entered via a pad."

Razor pulled out his palm top and punched in a few keys.

"The video cameras and infra-red sensors I can take care of - I've already hacked into the main power supply, and lights out should occur precisely at 8:45pm, taking the cameras and the sensors with it. Backup power will kick in after fifteen minutes, so you'll have to move quick. The traditional keylock I take it you'll be able to handle, but the four digit code will be the main problem. You might have to charm it from my father or something."

He shrugged.

"I'll take care of all the other little bits and pieces in terms of loot, and keep and eye out for you. We'll meet out here at 9:05pm. We'll have to get back into the auction house before anyone notices that we were gone. So the only problem is the code, but I guess we'll work something out. Any questions?"

OOC: Sorry if this is a little more elaborate than you were hoping for. If it is, let me know, and I'll edit the post.

 

[Angelus]

Marcus stood in the main lobby of the auction house, scanning the crowd. He had to thank Captain Harrison for getting him into this little party, nearly everyone was here, rich, famous and the very influential. There was only one thing that bothered him though, his tuxedo. He hated it more than anything he could imagine and there was no place that he could place his gun.

He knew that The Devil would be here, there was no way that she could pass up an opportunity like this and the thought that it was right next to the police precinct seemed to scream out to her, rob me. As he scanned the faces of the people in the crowds he saw someone that was familiar and walked over to where she stood.

When he reached her his jaw almost hit the floor as his partner looked absolutely stunning. She looked up at him and said, "If you laugh, I will kill you."

"There is no way that I can laugh when you look like that, you are absolutely stunning."

 

[Isolde]

Desiree looked up at Marcus expecting to see laughter in his eyes that said he was being sarcastic but she was pleasantly surprised. It seemed her partner was full of surprises lately and she couldnt get over his seeming change where she was concerned.

She wondered what the hell happened and then decided to leave it alone and not jinx the situation. Besides he still hadnt told her everything about his plan...just that they were going to the auction and to dress up.

Having nothing to wear to something this fancy she had spent hours at the dress shop and then hours more at the hair stylist. When she stood looking at herself in the mirror she couldnt believe the image that stared back at her.

She had choosen a simple black dress with straps that crossed at her bossom and then ran to the back of the dress. It came just to her knees and had a slit up the side that reached to just below the hip. It also hugged and accented every curve in the right place. She had chosen the dress for ease of movement should any thing happen that would require she move in a hurry.

Desiree glanced down at her feet and made a mental note to take off her black high heels should something happen. Though they showed off her best asset-her legs-quite nicely they would be hell to run in.

Taking a second look at Marcus she raised her eyebrows. He looked good-though a bit uncomfortable-in a tuxedo. The cut was just right to hint at the build underneath.

"Well, I must return the complement," She said a smile playing on her lips,"However if you are right about this Carl is going to make me eat crow for a very long time."

Looking around the room she said,"So, when is this thing going to begin?"

 

[LittleRedDevil]

They entered the auction hall, and Mac's jaw almost hit the floor. She saw a few senators, some movie stars, and a few victims to the Devil's charm. She also saw two cops, which made a shiver run down her spine. Her eyes moved from partner to partner, before settling on Marcus Thompson. Why were they here? More importantly, why was he here? That man when in such close proximity to her unnerved her.

"Karl," she whispered, using his given name for the first time in her life, "do you see them?"

"Yeah, I see them. So what?"

She couldn't peel her eyes away from Marcus. He looked up then, and their eyes collided. She could see the wheels turning in his head. What was a waitress, no a goddamn waitress doing at a place like this? Mingling with high society.

"I...I have to use the ladies room." She whirled, not really sure where she was going. She just prayed that he didn't follow.

[Edited by LittleRedDevil on 12-30-2000 at 08:02 PM]

 

[Angelus]

"Soon, I hope. I want to go home and get out of this monkey suit," Marcus said.

Desiree laughed a little at his comment and he looked at her, the hint of a smile on his face. He then said, "Shall me do some mingling?"

"Yes, lets."

 

[Isolde]

Desiree linked her arm through his and they walked through the small crowd. As they walked, she took in the whole of the building with a cop's eye. She studied the obvious security precautions and reviewed what they knew of the unobvious ones. She figured Marcus was doing the same.

A waiter came over with glasses of champagne and Desiree took a glass but did not drink. She was, after all, on duty.
She looked over at Marcus and noticed that he had the same idea.

Leaning in close to him she said under her breath.
"There are some heavy hitters in the jewlery business here. I wonder exactly what they have on display to get this kind of reaction."

 

[Angelus]

Marcus looked at her and said, "Didn't you read the paper. They have a whole lot of flawless South African diamonds in a vault upstairs and wouldn't The Devil just love to get her hands on them."

Marcus smiled when he knew exactly what his plan was, tonight he would catch The Devil. He had come so close on one occasion and now it was like an obsession with him. Just then he thought that he saw a familiar face in the crowd and turned to Desiree, "You stay right here beautiful, I will be right back."

He then walked into the crowd.

[Edited by Angelius on 12-30-2000 at 08:34 PM]

 

[Isolde]

Desiree stood there looking at his back.
"Ditched again," she thought with a smile,"Oh well, I guess old habits are hard to break. Besides, I have been ditched before with less charming lines than that."

With a chuckle she sat her drink down on a table and looked around in amusement at all the people that had come and she knew many had come from very far away.

Of course she hadnt read the paper about the diamonds. She felt irritated that she hadnt but then she realized that she had spent most of that day chasing down a certian partner of hers and then, when he finally decided to let her in on part of his plans, he had done it at such a rapid pace that she hadnt thought about looking at it.

Mentally she stuck her tongue out at him and then chuckled at herself. "Des," She said to herself,"You have just got to get out more often."

Her thoughts were interupted by a voice at her elbow and when she turned around she found a handsome man maybe a few years older than herself trying to engage her in conversation.

"Oh well," She thought,"time to play my part in all of this." Smiling becomingly at the man she began to answer him.

 

[Angelus]

I knew it, Marcus thought when he was near her, it is the waitress that I went nuts at outside of the cafe.

He walked straight up to her, looked at her with a smile and said, "Forgive me for being so rude but I just wanted to apologize to you. I was a total creep outside of the cafe two days ago and said some things that were totally unexcuseable. Would it be possible for you to forgive me?"

 

[LittleRedDevil]

She had no choice but to stop, or she would have bumped into him. His apology caught her off guard too. She couldn't quite meet his eyes though, so she looked off over his right shoulder.

"I...umm...I" GET A HOLD OF YOURSELF GOOSE! "I should also apologize. I shouldn't have jumped down your throat. So, I guess we're even." She looked down to see his hand extended. She shook it, "We've never been formally introduced, I'm Marcus Thompson."

His hand was warm, and his handshake strong. She made the mistake of looking into his eyes, and once again lost her train of thought.

He chuckled at her, "And your name is?"

"Mac...I mean, MacKenzie Jameson."



[Edited by LittleRedDevil on 12-30-2000 at 09:14 PM]

 

[Angelus]

He looked at her and thought You are smiling like an idiot- try to be a cop for once. He tried to stop smiling but found that it was impossible- my god, she is gorgeous and said,
"Mac, I like that name. And what are you doing here."

She looked up at him and said, "Just because you are being charming it does not mean that I will go anywhere with you. I am here with someone."

"I don't, no wait- I can't go anywhere with you. I was asking if you liked the party or not but if you are here with someone then I am sorry to have disturbed you."

He turned and walked off and saw Desiree standing there talking to a tall handsome looking man. It was then that a feeling he didn't expect hit him like a ton of bricks, he was jealous but then he thought Get a hold of yourself Marcus, she is your partner. Nothing more. But as he watched her and saw her laughing and talking to the man he knew that there was something else that he was feeling.

He walked up behind her, cleared his throat and said, "Hello beautiful. I told you that I would be back."

 

[LittleRedDevil]

"Stupid, stupid, stupid, what the hell is wrong with you?" Mac chastized herself on the walk back to Razor, who she noticed was looking over Marcus's partner. She had to admit, she was a little jealous, no man ever looked at her the way those two were looking at the little cop. She still had to figure out the four digit code. How she was going to do that, she didn't know. Maybe it was something sentimental to Victor Steiner.

Doubts assailed her. She wasn't good enough to pull off this heist, especially when there were cops staking out the place. What if there were more? She couldn't afford to get caught. She had to much at stake.

She cleared her throat twice before Karl noticed that she was standing there. "You still have to introduce me to your father," she leaned close to whisper the rest, her words were for his ears alone, "I need to get the code or this heist is going to be dead before it's even started."

[Edited by LittleRedDevil on 12-30-2000 at 09:54 PM]

 

[Isolde]

Desiree broke off her conversation and looked up to see Marcus behind her. Smiling at him, she took a quick look in the direction that he had come from and saw a sight that floored her. The waitress from the cafe was standing there watching him.

Her eyebrows shot up and she thought,"So thats why he left me standing here." Her eyes raked over the woman's figure and she caught herself picking apart all the imagined flaws she could see.

"Woah, girl," She said as she mentally slapped herself,"If Marcus wants to associate with her than its nothing to you. He is your partner, damnit, and he has a life of his own outside of irritating you." But she still felt a twinge of something that she didnt want to admit to.

Turning to Marcus, she smiled up at him and tucked her arm into his again before introducing the man she had been talking to.
"Marcus, this is Earl Halloway. He was just talking to me about the stones that are supposed to be actioned off tonight. He has come to bid on one of the most expensive pieces."

As Earl took the opportunity to engage Marcus in a conversation on the price of diamonds, she glanced over to where the woman had been only to see that she had left and melted into the crowd.

"Now what is a waitress doing at a diamond auction?," She said and then shrugged. With a figure like that Desiree figured the woman could probably get the store owner himself to take her anywhere she wanted him to.

 

[Angelus]

As Earl talked to Marcus about the diamonds he found that his mind was where it should be, it was on his partner. He was treading on dangerous ground but he found that he could not help himself. Snap out of it you idiot, she is your partner he thought and began listening to Earl who said, "One of the diamonds up in that vault is meant to be valued at over $3 million, that is the one that I want."
Marcus looked at Earl, "How could a rock be worth that much."

Earl was just about to answer him but before he could the waitress, Mac walked up and said something into his ear. Earl turned to Marcus and said, "If you will excuse me, there is something that I have to do."

Earl then turned and walked away which left Marcus and Desiree standing there. He looked down at her and said, "Oh well beautiful, it looks as if it is just you and me."