Reddington's safehouse - 10:30pm
"We've got a lead" Reddington came into the room with his usual pace and no concern for privacy. Liz had just left the shower and was still wearing a towel. She tightens the knot holding it up and turns around to find the always smug face of her constant savior/nemesis.
"What?"
"Craig Hutcherson is a very smart man, a genius in finance, could've been a wealthy man in Wall Street if it wasn't for one thing, his love for parties and women. You may be asking but well, isn't that what Wall Street men have all the time? Yes, I'd say, except that for Craig it was a matter of who provided him with that for the first time, diverted his path completely."
"He got involved with crime?" She guessed.
"He got involved with the government" Red corrected her, and smirked.
"With the Cabal!" Her quick reflexes sunk in and she immediately understood what that meant, what caused Red to give her a proud look. "He must have proof of who's involved, dirty money, pay offs..."
"Exactly, my dear Lizzie. And we can get our hands on that easily! Hutcherson is having a party, a gala to call for investors to his college fund"
"He's got a college fund?"
"He's involved with people who need to keep appearances, my dear, of course he does it too."
Liz agreed with a nod of head and kept paying attention.
"You'll go in as an important researcher looking for a fund to help your graduate students, and you'll keep an eye out for an opportunity to go into his office"
"He'll have the gala in his house? Not very smart"
"No, he won't. He'll have the gala in the Smithsonian. By his office I meant his briefcase, he carries it anywhere he goes, it's his itinerary office. Inside you'll find top technology devices, computer, tablet, ignore all that. What you're looking for is an old crumped notebook"
"A ledger?"
"Yes, old times ledger, just like the one who finished Al Caponel's empire. I like the idea of having history repeat itself."
"And you'll go in as what?"
"Oh no, Lizzie, as much as I would love to go to the gala as your plus one I can't go undercover, not to this. They would know who I am and they would kill me on sight. Besides, there's something going on with Dembe and I need some time off to figure it out. You'll do just fine without me, I'm sure of it. I have complete faith in you. Now, please, get yourself dressed and come quick to the living room, we're having italian food tonight."
And with a movement, he left, leaving Liz laughing alone at his incredible personality that she was learning to love.
Somewhere hidden - 11:40pm
"We've got a lead" Jacob entered the room with his burner phone still open, having just talked to someone.
"What is it? Can we use the force?" Ressler still find it confusing to work side by side with Jacob Phelps, but it was the best way to help Liz. Jacob's side smug told him that the answer to his question was no, again.
"Look Donnie, if working under the wraps is too much for you, we can end this now. I can save Liz alone." The idea of having Jacob as the hero could kill him, so he just ignored the thought.
"What lead is it?"
"There's going to be a gala tomorrow night at the Smithsonian. Seems all nice, something about a college fund, but the real idea is to gather funds for the Cabal. "
"And what can we get there?"
"Apparently the Cabal's money guy will be there."
"And with him proof of who's involved."
"Exactly. All the finance records."
"And how are we going to go in?"
"We need someone on the inside, to find the guy, and someone to create a diversion."
"So I'll go in undercover and you work around to cause just tha.t"
"Hey! Why do you get to go to the party?"
"Because I'm not a wanted criminal. If something goes sideways I'll flash my badge and come up with an excuse to be there."
"Ok, got a point there."
"Right. We have to find a way in."
"And a tux."
