Chapter 2

They arrived at the convention centre just before 7.30. Darien and Bobby helped Claire and Alex out of the limo. They walked into the convention centre together.
"So who is this guy we have to meet about the painting?" Darien asked.
"Um, a Mr Smithfield in Security," replied Alex. They all walked over to the security office. Darien knocked on the door and a small nervous man opened the door.
"Oh good. You are here. Come in. Come in. I'm George Smithfield," The man said ushering them into the room.
"Mr Smithfield. I understand the painting is in a secure area," Alex said to the man.
"Yes. This is a very valuable painting. I want it watched at all times it is out of the secure area. It will be taken out of the secure area 5 minutes before the auction which will start at 9.30 sharp. So you have 2 hours to enjoy the party," replied Smithfield.
"Gee thanks," Darien said sarcastically.
"May we take a look at the secure area?" Bobby asked.
"Sure. Follow me," Smithfield said and brought them down some stairs and down a long hallway. He stopped at one door and entered a code on a keypad beside the door. The door slid open. Smithfield pushed the agents through the door and pressed another button beside it. The room was about the size of The Official's office. A large cage stood in the middle of the room. A large safe stood inside the Cage.

Darien looked around the room. He noticed motion and laser sensors at various points.
"So is the painting here?" asked Alex watching as Smithfield started to open a number of locks on the cage.
"Yes," he replied breathlessly as he entered the cage. He motioned the others to follow him in. Darien was taking in all the security systems in place. This was out of habit. He had always cased the joint before robbing it to find faults. And he saw some straight away.
"This is the painting," Smithfield said taking the painting out gently. Bobby sniggered when he saw it. Smithfield glared at him.
"I'm sorry but I really don't see how this is worth 10 million dollars," Bobby said.
"It's the simplicity of the brushstrokes," Alex said trying to hide a smile.
"I think it's lovely," replied Clare.
"What do you think Partner?" Bobby asked Darien.
"I'm wondering why the security here is so crap," replied Darien.
"Excuse me?" Smithfield looked like he was going to explode with rage.
"Well see that skylight over there," Everyone's head turned as Darien pointed out the skylight in the ceiling.
"What about it?" asked Smithfield.
"That can be easily opened from the outside. The alarm can be cut off," replied Darien.
Smithfield was about to open his mouth to say something but Darien continued "The laser sensors can be hijacked and turned in on themselves. Any thief would know how to do that. The locks on the cage can be picked by a three year old and the safe combination can be opened simply by listening to it." Darien demonstrated his last point by closing the safe and randomly turning the dial. He then placed his ear to the dial and turned it. Smithfield's face was like thunder when Darien opened the safe.
"We had the best security consultants go over this," Smithfield said.
"Well they obviously ain't good enough," replied Darien.
"Well the painting is safe now. We will, of course, watch it when it is out of here," Bobby said trying to diffuse the tension. Smithfield said nothing but placed the painting back in the safe.
"I would like you all back down here by 9.25 to watch the painting while it is transported back upstairs for the auction. If the painting fails to be sold at auction you will still be required to watch it until a time designated. Also you are not allowed to drink at the party." Smithfield said pushing them all out of the room and back upstairs.

"Well you certainly rattled his cage," Bobby said to Darien as they stood on the edge of the ballroom. Darien had a glass of champagne in his hand.
"Darien, I don't think we should be drinking when we are on an assignment," Alex said disapprovingly.
"Ah lighten up would ya," Darien said turning to look at Alex. Alex looked at him coldly.
"You didn't get anything done with your hair," she said sarcastically.
Darien stared at Alex in annoyance and was about to say something when Claire interrupted.
"Guys I think the insults can stop," she said shaking her head.
"Your right. Claire? How about a dance?" Darien said holding his hand out to Claire. Claire smiled. "Certainly," she said taking Darien's hand. Bobby watched as the two walked out on the dance floor and started to dance. He stood beside Alex who was looking around her. Bobby felt that he had to ask her to dance.
"Would you like...?" Bobby asked. Alex looked at him sharply. "Uh no. I don't dance," she said.
"You don't?" asked Bobby raising an eyebrow.
"Can't," replied Alex.
"You are a five star A rated agent and you can't dance," he said incredulously.
"Ok I can but I don't want to," replied Alex.
"You don't want to dance or you don't want to dance with me," Bobby asked.
"I don't want to dance. My shoes hurt," replied Alex.
"Take them off," Bobby said. Alex looked at him as if he was mad.
"Take them off, let you hair down and enjoy the party," Bobby said. Alex sighed and held onto Bobby's arm as she took off her shoes.
"I won't be able to get back them back on you know," she said as Bobby led her onto the dance floor.

Darien looked over at his partner who was dancing with Alex. He laughed when he saw them.
"What's so funny?" Claire asked.
"Hobbes out dancing with Monroe," he replied. He caught Bobby's eye and grinned at him.
"You are a good dancer," Claire said to Darien. Darien smiled and looked down at her.
"So are you," Darien replied. He looked over Claire's shoulder and saw Jared Stark come in through the front door.
"Well look who the cat dragged in," he said watching Stark shake hands with several people. Claire turned around and saw Stark.
"What's he doing here?" She asked as She and Darien stopped dancing to take a look at Stark. He was immaculately dressed in a black tuxedo and bow tie. Several bodyguards flanked him. Stark was laughing and chatting with several people. He looked up and saw Darien and Claire looking over at him. The smile faded from his face when he saw them. Darien gave him a big smile and a wave. Stark turned to say something to the man beside him.
"I see our old buddy Stark is here," Bobby said walking over to Darien.
"Yeah," replied Darien looking thoughtful.
"I wonder if that ten million painting is the reason why he's here," Alex said.

Darien watched Stark for a few more minutes and then made his way over to him.
"Is it The Agency's big night out tonight?" Stark asked Darien.
"Well The Official thought we would like a night out," Darien replied with a forced smile.
"Oh really," Stark said.
"So are you going to put in a bid for anything tonight?" asked Darien.
"I saw a lovely painting which I think would look great on my office wall," replied Stark taking a sip of champagne.
"I know the one you are talking about. That little paint by numbers would suit it," replied Darien. "Are you putting in a bid for it?
"Why do you ask?"asked Stark looking at Darien with suspicion.
"Just curious," replied Darien.
"This is a charity event and I support many charities..." Stark said as he shook someone's hand.
"Well ain't you the Good Samaritan," Darien said.
"Well if you excuse me I see someone I need to speak to," Stark said and started to walk away from Darien. Darien watched Stark curiously for several minutes. Hobbes came over.
"So what did he say?" Bobby asked as he and Darien watched Stark from the other side of the room.
"Well looks like our old friend is interested in one particular piece of art," replied Darien.
"Don't tell me. The one we are assigned to," Bobby said taking a glass of champagne from a passing waiter.
"He didn't exactly say but I'm betting it is and he ain't going to go about it fairly," Darien said glancing at his tattoo. There were only 3 red sections. Darien and Bobby watched as Stark headed over to the security office.
"You thinking what I'm thinking?" Darien asked Bobby. Bobby nodded and watched as Darien moved off across the floor. Darien walked as far as an alcove and looked around to make sure no one saw him quicksilver.

"I would like to see the painting," Darien heard Stark say to Smithfield.
"Yes, Mr Stark. Certainly," replied Smithfield. Darien followed Stark, his bodyguard and Smithfield down to the basement where the painting was.
"Is all going to plan?" Stark asked waiting for Smithfield to open the door.
"The agents will keep it safe," replied Smithfield.
"Good," replied Stark examining the painting with a magnifying glass.
"Be careful with it," Smithfield said wringing his hands together nervously.
"Don't worry," Stark said.
Darien let the quicksilver flakes fall of him. Stark turned in surprise when he saw Darien walk in.
"So what's this all about Stark?" Darien asked.
"I want the painting," replied Stark with a condescending smile.
"Why don't you put a bid on it then. Do it the honest way," replied Darien angrily.
"Darien. I don't want to pay ten million dollars for this," Stark said.
"It's way overpriced ain't it?" Darien said.
"I have a...proposition for you," smiled Stark.
"A proposition?" asked Darien looking confused. "I never realised you were like that Stark."
"I would like you to...steal the painting," Stark said.
Darien laughed. "That's funny. You're a funny guy."
"I'm being serious," replied Stark.
"Why?" asked Darien.
"Like I said I don't want to pay 10 million for it. The convention centre can claim on their insurance. It can be sold on the black market for four times the price..."
"Sorry..." Darien started to say but was knocked out by a blow to the head.

TBC

I'll try and get the rest posted in the next few days.