Into the Night (Closed for PP01 and BEL)

[BlueEyedLady]

OOC: This thread is closed for PP01 and BEL for now. Later we will probably need a male and female cop to add to the story. For now, please read and enjoy.


IC: Victoria stood outside the apartment in the dark for long moments. She was making up her mind how and when to go in. He was up there, she knew it. She had followed him for a long time now, getting to know his habits, his haunts, his movements. Wanting to get to know more about him, wanting to learn from him. The question was, would he let her? It was a big IF and she was nervous and Victoria was seldom nervous.

Born Victoria Belsing, she was the daughter of a very notorious cat burgular, Jacob Belsing. He had eluded the police for over a decade, stealing millions of dollars in jewlery, art and other valuables. Until he got caught. Until he was killed by a bullet from a trigger happy cop. Until he was taken away from Victoria at the tender age of 12.

He had managed to pass on a few of his skills to her but not enough for her to make a career of it. She could remember hearing the stories of his exploits and the thrill that ran through his voice at the thought of the danger and intrigue.he faced in each one. She caught that fever, she wanted to fill that thrill, that rush of adriniline...she wanted to make her father proud. Because she could also remember the cops coming to her mother's door and telling her that her husband was dead. Could still see the color leech from her mother's face as she tried not to faint. Could still hear the beratting she got when she told her mother she wanted to be just like her father. And because she loved the old man even if he did get killed.

Yes, her fother had been good, very good. But she had to be better than good, had to be able to do the job and get away with her life. She had to learn from the best and Le Araignée (the Spider) was the best. But she couldn't just walk in there and tell him she wanted to learn from him. He would deny that he was who she knew he was and he would throw her out thinking she wanted to trap him into confessing his crimes so he would get arrested. No, she had to prove to him that she was honest in what she wanted. That she was an apt student.

And so approached the building cautiously, keeping to the shadows. When she came to the wall, she stopped and looked around until she was sure that there was no one around. Feeling the bricks of the wall, she assured herself that she would be able to climb them. She had no fear of heights, no vertigo, she had been known as fearless when it came to taking risks. Much like her father. So much like her father that her mother had sent her to live with a stuffy old Aunt hoping that it would wear off. It didn't.

Slowly she climbed, making sure of her handholds and footing. The crevices she found were small and someone who didn't know where to find them would be amazed that she could climb on what appeared to be a smooth wall of bricks. It was how those that advertised themselves as 'Human Flies' wowed the crowd. It was how she managed to get to his apartment window and ease herself onto the ledge. It was, she had to admit, a feat worthy even of the Spider himself, though he would probably have scoffed at the notion, the wall she climbed being child's play for him.

Taking out her glass cutter, she paused again to make sure there was no noise to indicate anyone was around either inside or outside of the apartment. When she was reasonably sure, she placed the instrument against the glass and proceeded to make a hold big enough to climb through. Placing a rubbeer suction cup in the middle of the glass just before her last cut, she eased it out of the window and slipped through, letting the round glass dangle from a string attatched to the suction cup and tying the other end to the lock on the window so it wouldn't fall and alert anyone.

Taking a deep breath, she crouched down, listening for any sound before she proceeded. If this didn't convince her intended mentor that she was serious about wanting his instruction, nothing would.

 

[PhoenixPrime01]

Michele Reynaud, aka Randolph Jenkins, aka Le Araignée (the Spider):

Born Michele Reynaud 47 years ago in the Alsace region of France south of Strasbourg now lived in New York City. A place where it's easy to vanish among six plus million other inhabitants.

In New York he was known as Randolph Jenkins. In other places by other names. He owned his two bedroom apartment on the fourth floor of the five story building free and clear and paid the maintaince fee annually, as he did with all is other residences. It made for a lot of overhead annually, but also meant he had a lot of bolt holes and each added to his retirement portfolio.

Years ago in France he'd run with the 'bad crowd' and eventually begun his 'apprenticeship' as a burglar with an old and wise one in Strasbourg. As his skills increased they'd moved to Paris and used it as their base of operations while plying their trade up and down the Riveria.

His mentor had retired years ago and ever since he'd been on his own. He was preparing for his own retirement now. A couple of years, a few more scores and he'd never work again and live in the lap of luxury.

Tonight he'd deciced to go see the new Steve McQueen movie, The Thomas Crown Affair, for both the entertainment value and because Hollywood often came up with some novel ideas that he might use.

As he left the apartment he triggered his personally made and hand built alarm system. One he'd have trouble finding if he didn't know where to look and what to look for and with what. If anyone entered before he returned he'd be alerted before entering the apartment. Enough time to decide what he wanted to do.

 

[BlueEyedLady]

Victoria looked around the dim room and breathed a sigh of relief. It seemed that no one was here. Which was good and bad. She wanted to talk to him, to convince him that she was a worthy student but she wanted to prove it too. And the only way to prove it was to take something from the Master.

Pushing her raven tresses more firmly into the dark stocking cap that she wore, she crossed the room slowly and along the edges of the wall. If there were sensors, they would most likely be hidden in the middle of the room. And along the door. But she didn't intend to open the door. Whatever she took would be from this room. In and out. That was the way to do it.

Scanning the room, his bedroom, it looked like, she tried to decipher what to take. She didn't want to get into any safe. One, an old master would know where to hide and not hide one and it would take too long to find and then open.

No, she wanted his attention, not his personal items. With a smile, she made her way across the room and into the bathroom. It only took a few moments before she had cleaned out his medicine cabinet, taken his soap, lifted (literally) his toilet seat and folded up his shower curtain and stashed it in her bag.

With lipstick, she printed a pair of bright red lips on his bathroom mirror and then an eye closed in a wink over that. In the corner of the mirror, she placed a business card for a night club called the Storm with tomorrow's date and the time of 9 pm on it and then left, grabbing his toilet paper as well before heading out the window again.

After she had climbed out of her hole, she took some tape and taped one end of the toilet paper to the widow on the inside and just above it and then let the roll fall down the side of the building. If this didn't get his attention, nothing would.

Then, securing her ill gotten, if worthless, gains securely in her packs along her waist, she made her way down the building and out into the shadows of the street again, headed for home.

Tomorrow she would meet the best thief in the business and make a proposal she hoped he couldn't pass up. Tomorrow was the beginning of the rest of her life.

 

[PhoenixPrime01]

Randolph Jenkins:

He chose the subway tonight and got out at the station a block from his residence. He was about half a block from the building when he saw the streamer of white moving the the light breeze off the river.

There wasn't a doubt who's apartment was it's point of origin, it was his. He didn't break his stride, but kept walking. Now far more alert and trying to spot anyone lurking in the area, unsuccessfully.

He slowly circled the block and then entered the alley. It took little time to open the service entrance and enter the building after sliding the pick back into his jacket collar.

He slowly climbed the steps to his floor and checked the fire exit sigh. Sure enough the LED was faintly blinking letting him know someone had been inside. With that streamer he figured they'd gone now.

He slowly opened his door, slipped inside and to the side and closed it again and just stood in the dark listening, smelling.

Ten minutes later Randolph began to look around and naturally found where entry and egress was made. He found the only things missing and after recovering from the surpise laughed long and loudly as he put a new roll of toilet paper on the roller.

"Tomorrow I'll begin to hunt for who did this," he thinks to himself as he prepares for bed. Once in it he chuckles again at the 'theft' and falls asleep.

 

[BlueEyedLady]

Nine o'clock couldn't come soon enough for Victoria. She was up with the sun and did her morning exercises, taking added pleasure in the strenous routine.

A light breakfast and then some errands. A girl had to eat. By seven she had laid all of her things out that she would wear to the club and tried to calm the butterflies in her stomach. With a grin, she slipped into a bubble bath, making herself take her time and relax. She didn't want this man to get the wrong impression, that she was an overeager amature that only wanted the thrills, though that was a big part of it. She wanted him to know she was a woman who knew her mind and who would pursue her goals very stubbornly.

Stepping out of the tub, she dried off and then put on the gown she had picked out. Black, with a low cut front that showed just enough cleavage to entice but not enough to give any man the wrong impression that she was an easy goal, it fell to her ankles. Mini skirts were the fashion these days but she didn't want to look like a teenager who was out for a lark. The dress fit snuggly to make the most of her womanly curves and accentuated each and every one of them but still gave enough to move fluidly.

Black high heels complimented her dress and a necklace with a small stone and bracelet and earrings to match. Hair was done so that her dark waves framed her heart shapped face and brought notice to her, unusual, violet eyes. The one thing she inherited from her mother that she was proud of.

Makeup was applied carefully. Not too much, just enough to bring out her features and a light coat of fingernail polish. And then a small spritz of a light, musky perfume. To finish off the outfit, she placed a pin in the shape of a spider on her dress with a stone to match the rest of her jewlery. There was no way he would miss the signal.

Taking one last look at herself in the full length mirror in her bedroom, she nodded in pleasure and picked up her small purse and headed to the club.

She arrived at The Storm at 8:15 and took a seat where she could see the entrance and ordered a white wine as she waited for Mr Reynaud to show up.

 

[PhoenixPrime01]

Randolph Jenkins:

He arrived at The Storm at 8:45 PM wearing a dark blue pin striped, an ivory shirt, dark blue tie with faint grey shading that matches the stripes in the suit and a single blood red rose as a boutiner in his jacket lapel.

He doesn't waste his time looking around. He doesn't expect to recognize the person, woman he suspects, who'd invaded his place last night.

His contacts are looking, asking but so far not successfully.

He's led to a back table, his preference, and seated. He orders a highball and sits waiting as he looks over the menu. He knows contact will be made when they/she's ready.

 

[BlueEyedLady]

Victoria doesn't have long to wait. Soon he enters and sits down. Calm, cool, collected. "Nice," She thought with a smile,"I could learn alot from him. All I have to do is convince him of that."

She waits a bit until the waiter brings his drink and then, as the man approaches Reynaud's table, she walks over and 'bumps' into him causing him to spill some of it. The liquid splashes onto the table and seat, a bit of it catching the thief's trousers.

The waiter goes to mop up the spill and she places a hand on his arm. "No, wait," she says with a smile to him,"It's my fault. Let me."

Reaching into her purse, she takes out a monogramed hankerchief she reaches down to press it into Reynaud's hand. Turning her smile on him, she says,"So sorry about that. I had a late night last night and guess I'm still a little tired. Maybe it was too much exercise. Or it could have been all the time I spent picking out things to decorate my...well, I'm sure a man of your obvious class wouldn't care about that."

She laughed a deep, throaty laugh and turned so he could see the spider pin on her dress and raised a finger to her lips, taping them slowly. "But I must tell you I found the cutest shower curtain. Goes so well with the interior."

With another laugh and a wink, she slipped the waiter enough money to cover Reynaud's drink and indicated the seat across from him. "May I?" She asked and then seated herself before he could refuse.

When the waiter was gone, she nodded to his trousers. "You must let me have those cleaned. I have the greatest dry cleaner in the world. Perfect creases every time. And the man is a miracle worker on any kind of stain you can imagine."

Her smile turned sly and her grin mischievious. "I also know a great glazier if you're in the market for one."

 

[PhoenixPrime01]

Randolph Jenkins:

He sits watching her act with the bump and blotting his trouser leg with his own monogramed handkerchief with quiet amusement.

He'd barely nodded when she asked to join him before she was seated across the table, after making certain he saw the spider broach she wore and signaling him to be quiet, as if he needed that with the waiter still there.

He began to chuckle when when she started to talk about picking things up last night. The chuckle became a low and deep laugh by the time she spoke about the shower curtain.

Still smiling and chuckling, "Your interior or mine my dear?"

"I surmised my visitor was a woman, but I honestly didn't expect such a young and attractive one as youself.
"And never mind about the cleaning bill. The Chinese laundry I use in Chinatown is fabulous."

"My name is Randolph Jenkins and who might I be sharing my table with young lady?"

 

[BlueEyedLady]

Victoria laughed softly along with him and said,"I'm glad to see you have a sense of humor. And I must tell you that the shower curtain looks so much better with mine. Though I do have to compliment your taste."

Nodding at his introduction she said,"Oh, I know who you are Mr Reynaud. I have been following your career for quite some time now. In fact, it was because of your reputation that I...um...contacted you."

"My name is Victoria Belsing," She did not mention her father, not expecting someone of his talent to know about him,"And I believe you know what I do for a living. The problem is that I find that, without training my career is not progressing as it should. So, I'm out to find a mentor to help me improve my techniques. How do you feel about passing your extensive knowledge to a willing and apt student?"

 

[PhoenixPrime01]

Randolph Jenkins:

"My dear young woman, I have no idea who this "Mr. Reynaud" may be. I assure you that I've introduced myself correctly. I do know my own name afterall.
"Belsing.. hmmmm, would you by chance be any relation of a Jacob Belsing my dear?" he asks watching her eyes, reading her body language.

 

[BlueEyedLady]

Victoria's eyes widened when he mentioned her father. She really did not think a man of his skills would have known of him. Her father was good. Very good, in fact. But nowhere in Reynaud's category.

"Well," She said a smile slowly curving her lips,"I didn't know Pop's reputation proceeded him to such high places. You might say I inherited the family business. Much to my mother's horror."

Sipping at her wine, she gazed at the man across from her. "Well, Mr Jenkins, was it? You haven't answered my question. What will it take to convince you that having me as a student would be worth your time?"

 

[PhoenixPrime01]

Randolph Jenkins:

"Oh yes, Jacob could have been one of the greats had he not chosen to remain, ahhh, lower key and attract far less attention that way.
"He told me he made enough to keep his family comfortable indeed and give him the thrill of the business, but with less chance of, ahhh, shall we say and unwanted vacation that would have separated him from his family.
"He knew what was most important to him and reputation was far down that list.
"He was a true gentleman my dear Victoria."

As the "inheritor of the family business" perhaps a small test of your existing talents successfully passed would suffice.
"One a bit more challenging than your visit to my residence last night," he says with a mischievious smile and twinkle in his blue eyes.

 

[BlueEyedLady]

Victoria was stunned. She had never known that her father knew the Spider. Oh, he had told tales of the man, spun them for her bedtime so she could dream of them but he had never mentioned that he knew him personally.

Smiling at Reynaud's accurate description of her father, Victoria said softly. "That was Pops. He may not have been the greatest in what he did for a living but he made up for it in so many other ways."

Her thoughts were interrupted by talk of a test. The smile on her face turned almost wicked and her eyes gleamed in anticipation.

"I am up for any challenge you can give me, Mr Jenkins," She said, emphasis on the last name,"I assure you, I inherited more from my father than just a business."

 

[PhoenixPrime01]

Randolph Jenkins:

"Well in that case I'll devise one for you Victoria. One to test your skills and abilities.
"Why don't we eat and talk. I'll give you my phone number and you can call me in a couple of days then come over to find out about your assignment.
"Oh, by the way, did you find my alarm system when you visited Victoria?" he asks.

 

[BlueEyedLady]

Victoria nodded at the mention of food and opened the menu, scanning it while she listened. With a sigh, she shook her head at his question.

"No, I am afraid I didn't, though I surmised that there probably was one. One who has experience with these things would know where to place them so that others could not find them. That is the reason I neither looked for a safe nor any valuables. True, I found many expenisive looking items just in the bedroom but I had a feeling that, if I should take them, they would have turned out to be worthless."

She grinned at him,"I also figured that you would not have one that would alert the police in any way. Besides the obvious reasons I would guess you were a man who likes to take care of things on his own. No matter what they are."

Closing her menu with a shrug, she nodded towards him. "Please, order for me if you will. I have eaten here before and I have found nothing that I do not care for. I will have whatever you are having."

Pushing the menu away, more eager to talk to somone who had long been an idol of hers than to eat and thrilled that he had been willing to accept the suggestion of training her, Victoria's mind was not on the food.

"You see, Pops died when I was quite young. I was old enough to have been taken on some of his 'business trips' but too young to be trained in much of the finer points. Oh, I learned about security systems and how to avoid them but not how to disarm or detect them. Whenever he took me on one of his late night jaunts, he would have figured everything out and have explained to me what my part would be. But not within the hearing of my Mother." Victoria gave a low laugh. "She would have been furious."

"Oh, she knew what Pops did for a living and she enjoyed the fine things he provided for us but she was in denial, as if forcing herself not to admit it would make it so that his profession would have no bearing on her or me. It wasn't until I grew older that I realized that a woman who accepted the fact that her husband was taking his daughter out for ice cream at that time of the night was in complete aand total denial. I suppose she thought that he left me in the car when he went to work to make it look like he was only out with his child. LIttle did she know that his pet name for me when we were alone was, His Little LockPick."

Victoria's look became thoughtful. "I often wonder if she suspected what he was really doing. I suppose she did. Mother is not a stupid woman. Just a tad greedy. Even now when I bring up the subject she stands up and walks out as if she does not even want to hear about it."

She realized she was rambling and shook herself out of her memories. "Forgive me. I tend to go on when talking about my father. He was the most special man in my life. I don't think that I shall ever meet a man as wonderful as he was. When I was little, he was my world."

Smiling again, she said,"So, please, tell me how you know him. You speak as if you two knew each other well."

 

[PhoenixPrime01]

Randolph Jenkins:

He asks if she'd prefer meat, fish or fowl and when she's answered he signals the waiter over and orders them a Casear Salad, and duckling with an orange glaze sauce on a bed of steamed wild rice. He tells the waiter to select one of the better wines to accompany the meal and orders himself another drink and a glass of wine for Victoria.

Once the drinks have arrived and the waiter's departed he chuckles as he begins speaking, "Actually we'd both chosen the same aquisition and found ourselves there at the same time Victoria.
"We decided to share the profits of the venture and remained in contact and met on and off over the years.
"You may or may not recall the fine jewelery collection that had a change of ownership about ten years ago. We planned and executed that aquistion together.
"In fact it's what paid for my current apartment."

 

[BlueEyedLady]

Victoria nodded. She did remember it. At that time, the waiter arrived with their salads and she was silent until he had left again.

"Yes, I remember it. Though I didnt know Pops had anything to do with it. Mother saw that I was trying to follow in his footsteps shortly after he died and, not being able to talk me out of it, she sent me away to Aunt Marrisa, her older sister so she wouldn't have to deal with it. She is remarried now to a gentleman who makes a fine living in the banking industry. She is happy, has a new husband whose business brings in enough money to support her lifestyle and has no more children to deal with."

She sends a wicked looking grin his way. "I do believe that I was such a handful that I spoiled any more thoughts of having other children for her." Shrugging, she added,"Or it could just be that she is obsessed about her figure and doesn't want to spend any more time chasing runny noses and bandaging knees."

Taking a bite of her salad, she chewed slowly, enjoying the taste of it before concluding,"But Pops loved her with all his heart and did everything he could to give her...and me...everything we ever wanted. He was as blind about her as she was about him."

Running her fork absently through her salad, she said in a soft tone,"He never realized that I never wanted anything material. I was the happiest when I was with him."

 

[PhoenixPrime01]

Randolph Jenkins:

His fork pauses half way to his mouth... and he smiles then grins wickedly at Victoria before putting the fork full of salad in his mouth.

 

[BlueEyedLady]

Victoria catches his look and finds herself laughing in spite of herself.

"What?" She says, the laughter echoing in her voice. "Okay, so I like material things. They're nice. But from Pops, well, it was unneccessary. He could give me the choice of a necklace or time with him. The necklace would lose."

She shrugged and took another bite of her salad. "Now, well, I guess it's more about being his daughter than getting rich. I want to do the old man proud. You know, show him I can be the best and it was all because of him."

She gave him a wicked smile of her own as she added,"And the thrill of the game adds spice to it. Just makes the goal a bit sweeter."

 

[PhoenixPrime01]

Randolph Jenkins:

"Ever had sex after finishing an aquisition Victoria?
"It's so much more intense. At least I've found it so," he chuckles and winks at her.

"I've decided on your test Victoria. I'll tell you later on this evening," and that grin and twinkle appears again.

 

[BlueEyedLady]

Victoria almost choked on her salad as he mentioned sex after a job and had to take a drink of her wine to help her bite of food go down.

Laughing and shaking her head, she told him,"No, actually. I can count the number of lovers I have had on one hand. Too complicated and I am not exactly into the 'free love' kind of thing that has soaked into the society these days."

Resuming eating, she said,"I have found that most men tend to get suspicious when their lady is out at all times of the night. They seem to think that there is another man involved and won't accept a simpler solution. Like, oh, she might be out climbing walls and aquiring things that pay for the rent and utilities if not a few luxuries."

"And, I have never found a man who would understand what I do. No matter how free people seem to feel with things, they always get uptight about my profession. Go figure."

She looked at him with startled eyes, when he mentioned he had decided on a test. Giving him a slow smile, she said,"Oh? And I suppose there is no prodding you into revealing it earlier." She shook her head and gave a low chuckle. "No, of course not. Well, in that case, may I ask if the evening will end with our dinner or do you propose to keep me in suspense even longer than that? And, if so, where do we progress from here?"

 

[PhoenixPrime01]

Randolph Jenkins:

"Well if you wish Victoria you may come to my place and have a drink or two and I'll show you one of the alarm systems there. That might interest you on a professional level and you can tell me how you circumvent or defeat it."

 

[BlueEyedLady]

Victoria waited until the next course and the waiter again left before she answered. She took a few bites and pronounced it delicious. With a thoughtful expression, she finally replied.

"Well, it's not like I haven't been in your apartment yet," She said and then a wicked smile spread across her face,"Of course it might be nice to see something besides your bedroom."

With a light laugh, she nodded and said,"Okay, I won't turn down anything that will teach me something useful. And I am dying to see how you have set up your system and I will do my best to see if I can get around it. Just don't bet too much against me. I don't have that much money."

 

[PhoenixPrime01]

Randolph Jenkins:

"No bets. Just curious to see if you can figure out a way in a short time period, as you'd have to do it you discovered it in the middle of an aquisition."

 

[BlueEyedLady]

Victoria smiled. "Work under pressure? Well, I always did my best under pressure. The feeling of icy calm as you work to do your job before getting caught. The rush of heat as your mind works on solving the problem with a clock ticking in the background, sweat trickling down your neck to mingle with the cold chill in your spine and then the rush of adrenaline as you meet your deadline and exit with the prize just before your activities are discovered."

A gleam enters her eyes and she shivers at memories that she has not shared with anyone before.

"Oh, yes, it does sound like quite an exciting evening to be sure. When were we planning on heading that way?"