A/N: So here's my first shot at a job. It's really small and short but I enjoyed writing it :) If it's italicized it's said over the comms by someone on the other side of comms. I hope you guys enjoy, the next chapter will be up tomorrow. I also have this kick-ass idea for a story which I started writing it today..So excited! I don't own Leverage or the Pink Panther!
~Nates side of the comms~
"Go get 'em Sophie" Nate whispered through the comms
Sophie started to look through her purse and headed in the direction of the mark. She purposely stumbled into him grabbing his phone and wallet. After a few apologies Sophie smoothed the front of her dress and continued on her way.
"Now we're looking to see if he's made any calls to Harry" Harry was their victim. "Oh and get his ID card for Hardison and see if you can find anything else on his phone. Parker, Eliot you in posi-"
"Excuse me are you Nathan Ford?" The man had a heavy French accent, probably in his late 50's with gray eyes and pepper hair.
Nate immediately stiffened. "Yes who are you?"
"Oh sorry I am Jacques Clouseau, I need your help" Jacques sat down next to him
"What is it that you need help with?"
"What the hell is he doin'?"
"You are, as it's rumored, one of the best IYS agents around. Am I right?" Jacques raised an eyebrow.
Nate was posing as his former IYS self. "I have been told that before, yes"
"The Pink Panther has been stolen" Clouseau whispered. Everyone of the team members stopped dead in their tracks.
"Now?" Nate tapped his finger on the table
"Yes we had it down in the restoration room and it has just been reported missing" Clouseau hissed"
"How has the news about it not exploded?" Nate narrowed his eyes
"The museum is keeping it hushed." Clouseau shrugged
"So you want us to find it?" Nate raised an eyebrow
"Us?" Clouseau narrowed his eyes suspiciously
Nate tried not to panic. "Well I do have some help." Nate turned around to see Sophie standing off in the distance
"The one in the light blue dress and brown hair?"
"That would be her" Nate nodded
"Dammit Nate did you really have to pull me into this?"
"Anyway I need you to find the Pink Panther before the night is out" Clouseau stared at him
"It's impossible" Nate shook his head
"But the robber is still here" Clouseau flashed a wicked smile
"How do you know that?" Nate looked at him suspiciously
"I am a very smart man Mr. Ford" Clouseau nodded
"Well I will go confer with my friend and get to work" Nate nodded getting up and walking away
"Nate we don't have time for this!"
"Look this Clouseau guy needs our help. The Pink Panther has been stolen we have to take care of this"
"Fine"
Nate finally got to Sophie and they sat down on one of the benches. "Now I know you guys aren't gonna like to hear this but I need to know if any of you guys stole it?"
"We're the good guys Nate" Sophie whined
"I know I just want to make sure...so did any of you?" Nate asked again
"No I'm to busy hacking in the van"
"I'm doin' wait staff right now you think I could've stolen it?"
"Well I didn't steal it! I've stolen it before but I put it back."
Nate raised his eyebrow
"I was 14 don't worry"
Nate sighed and looked at Sophie.
"Hey why are you looking at me I've been in your line of sight all evening!" Sophie raised her hands in defense.
"So how do propose we find it?"
"I'm thinking" Nate muttered
~Later~
"Ok guys do you have the codes?" Nate asked
"Hahaha yes we do"
"Ok you know what to do" Nate said through comms.
Hardison was about to transfer the money when he thought of something. "Once I give the anonymous tip to the police the news about the Pink Panther will get out. Clouseau and his people are screwed."
"Well then...let's go steal the Pink Panther!" Nate clasped his hands and walked away. Sophie rolled her eyes and followed.
"What's the plan Nate?" Sophie asked
"Hardison show me the video footage for the restoration room at 6:32 P.M" Nate demanded
"Ok give me a second" Hardison said slowly. Nate pulled out his phone and watched the footage appear. "It's way too dark to tell, their must've been a power outage in the basement"
"Check the halls around it a few minutes later, after the power outage was done" the footage popped up on Nates phone. "Look right there!" Nate jabbed at the guy on the screen
"Ok I'll run facial recognition on it"
"Eliot once we find out who the guy is I want you to go talk to him see if you can get anything out of him"
"Does that mean no assaulting?"Eliot asked
"Yes Eliot that means no assaulting."
"Okay guys I got a hit. His name is Mark Olin, he works as a janitor. I got a signal on him from his badge. Right now he should be by the west entrance."
"I see him" Eliot muttered
"Parker you go with Eliot"
"Ok!" Parker chirped
"Me and Sophie will stay here"
~On Eliots side of the comms~
"Excuse me sir can I talk to you" Parker said to Mark
"What seems to be the problem Ma'am?" Mark asked
"My name is Special Agent Hagen FBI, I have a few questions for you" Parker showed Mark her badge
Mark swallowed hard and gave a weary nod. "Of course Special Agent. There's an empty hall just over there where we can talk so it's not so loud"
"Ok" Parker smiled and followed Mark. Eliot stood next to Parker posing as her FBI partner, Special Agent Cam.
"We've heard about the incident involving the robbery of the Pink Panther. We were wondering if you knew anything about it?" Eliot raised his eyebrow at him
"No sir I do not" Mark shook his head
"Look Mark we want to help you, if you tell us we won't hurt you." Parkers voice was comforting
"But he said he was watching" Mark hissed looking around
"It's okay we'll make sure you won't get hurt" Parker out a reassuring hand on his shoulder
Mark nodded his head. "Well I was doing my usual routes down in the basement and suddenly there's a power outage. Someone pushes me up into the wall their elbow in my throat. He said that I have to help them steal the Pink Panther. He said that it was for someone and that he would be killed if he didn't get it. I didn't believe him until he pressed the gun to my head. I had to do it"
"Did you happen to see what he looked like?" Eliot asked
"He had a ski mask on and was wearing all black. I only caught his blue eyes once when we were in the restoration room."
"Anything else? How tall was he?" Eliots voice was a little more demanding this time
"Um not much taller then me maybe 6 foot" Mark shrugged
"Let us know if you remember anything else" Parker looked at him.
"I will" With that Eliot and Parker walked away.
"That isn't much to go on Nate"Sophie said looking at Nate
"All we know is that he's about 6 foot and has blue eyes"
"Give me 5 minutes to do a walk around and I'll have it narrowed down" Parker said causally
"Go ahead"Nate nodded
~5 minutes later~
"I counted 36, 4 of them wearing all black" Parker said suddenly appearing next to Nate."That's including you"
"Well I don't count"Nate said quickly
"Yeah you do, your 6 foot and have blue eyes" Parker scanned him making sure she was right
"Well yeah but I didn't steal it"
"You asked me for everybody" Parker defended
"Oh well thank you"
"Look we're gonna have to narrow the search. We don't have time to question all these people"Hardison pointed out
"Parker go ask Mark if he could give us an age range and shoe size"Sophie said and Nate just looked at her.
Parker walked over to mark again and tapped him on the shoulder. "I'm sorry to bother you again but do you think you could give me an estimate on their age. Also do you remember how big his feet were?"
"Ummm...I'd say they were probably in their 40's maybe 30's. As for their feet I'd have to look around. Sorry I can't be of more help" Mark gave her a hopeless look
"Why don't we walk around and maybe you'll see one you recognize" Parker said slowly
"Yeah...okay" Mark followed her and they started to look at people's feet. After a few minutes Mark found a pair. "Those right their! They were that size"
Parker looked up but the man was short only 5 foot 5 and had green eyes. "No he doesn't have blue and eyes and he's not tall enough. Let's keep looking"
Mark nodded and they continued to look. "Right there!"
"He's 6 foot but he has gray eyes and is in his early 20's" Parker frowned. "I'm going to go talk to my partner you keep looking"
"Can do Special Agent Hagen" Mark gave her a quick salute and continued on
"I'll do another sweep now that I have some new info" Parker whispered behind her hand
"Okay Parker but hurry we're running out of time"Nate looked at his watch.
~5 minutes later~
"11 people, including you. None of them are wearing all black" Parker popped up next to Nate
"Parker I did not steal it" Nate said his jaw slightly clenched
Parker rolled her eyes. "I know, I know"
"Go get Mark and show him to all the people you found"
"Okay"