Chpater two
The team unloaded onto a private concourse carrying their gear and what they would need for the next few days. They stared at the private jet that had been sent for them to fly to New York.
"Got to say, Interpol knows how to fly in style," Eliot said.
"I don't think its Interpol's plane," Nate remarked.
A black car pulled up beside their vehicle. They looked at the sleek black car that joined them on the concourse. The dark window rolled down and Nate walked over to see Sterling.
"I see you decided to join us by air, Nate," Sterling said.
"It was going to be the fastest way. Nice bird, Agent Graham."
Coleen leaned over and smiled. "Mother's not my own. I left mine."
They got out and Sterling walked to the trunk of the black car. He pulled out the four pieces of luggage and set them aside. Nate looked at them and glanced over at Sophie.
"So much for traveling light, Jim." Nate remarked.
He narrowed his eyes at Nate.
"They're not all mine," Sterling remarked as he handed Coleen two of them.
Nate chuckled and put his arm around Sophie.
"I can only imagine what's in her suitcases."
"The same as mine probably," Sophie remarked as she looked back.
They climbed up the metal steps and saw the team was already cozy in the private plane.
"All set, team?" Nate asked.
"Nate, we need to get a plane," Eliot said as he leaned back. "I could get use to it."
"Don't get use to it, Spencer," Sterling's voice was heard.
"And my enjoyment level of a private flight just went down." Eliot narrowed his eyes. "Don't think, Sterling, I won't hold myself back to hit you."
Coleen looked at the two of them and grabbed Sterling's arm before he could say something to test that theory. He looked at her and put their luggage in the storage cabin. They took a seat across from Nate and Sophie and Sterling handed them temporary badges.
"Eleanor's gift," Sterling said. "These badges are not to be kept. You all are consultants for Interpol. If I don't have five badges after this job is done I will make sure you don't get paid."
"So, kind of you. I'm sure it was hard for you to fight giving us these," Nate said.
Sophie looked over at the others as they took it easy. She leaned her head against Nate's shoulder and stared at Sterling and Coleen. The two of them seemed pretty comfortable with each other after four months. She wanted to make conversation, but it was hard.
"Agent Graham," Parker leaned over.
She turned and looked at her.
"What?"
"So, I get to keep that base jumping equipment?"
"No," Sterling remarked. "Interpol issued."
Coleen looked over at Sterling and rested her hand on his. "I can get you something just as good."
"Don't encourage her." Sterling glanced over at Parker.
"So, why dangle it in front of me?" Parker narrowed her eyes at him.
"It's Sterling, what do you expect from him," Eliot hissed. "Now could you shut up so I can sleep?"
Parker looked at Eliot and hit him in the arm. He glanced over at her and slapped her in the leg.
"Ow!" She hit him again.
"Seriously?" Hardison glanced up from his laptop.
Parker jumped out of her seat and sat down next to Hardison. She watched him just fool around on his computer.
"I'm linking my computer to Interpol's files."
Sterling glanced up and pulled something from his coat pocket and clicked it. The computer scrambled and Hardison glanced over at Sterling.
"Oops," he remarked.
"Seriously, I wasn't going to go anywhere I wasn't authorized."
"Consultants aren't privileged to Interpol files," Sterling said. "Go hack the FBI's files I'm sure that will be fun."
Hardison narrowed his eyes at Sterling and shut his laptop off. He looked at Parker and she smiled.
"We'll get him back," Parker said wiggling her fingers.
"I can always count on you," Hardison said.
The plane started taking off and it seemed like it was going to be a smooth flight to New York. Nate flipped through the copied file that Sterling so graciously made. Sophie looked around the plane. She looked over at Nate as he wrinkled his brow.
"So, when's the auction?" Nate asked.
"It's tomorrow evening," Coleen asked. "There is a club that Trotter owns called India."
"How are we going snatch the ruby?" Sophie remarked.
"That's your to job." Sterling looked at her. "You're the thieves."
Nate looked at Sterling as he had a smug look on his face. He was quite comfortable for someone who seemed to be ok with asking a bunch of thieves for help.
"Don't forget you came to us," Nate said. "We could of have easily said no and you would be up a creek. And I think the reason you came to us is because you don't have one clue how to capture Trotter and get the ruby back."
Sterling leaned forward and narrowed his eyes.
"I know exactly how to catch him. I don't need your team to catch a thief. I've done it before."
"I'm sure you have, Sterling, That's why you could never catch me." Sophie smiled. "But, Nate was able too."
Sterling looked at Sophie and leaned back. Coleen glanced over at him and slightly smirked a little. She leaned towards Sterling and kissed his cheek. She undid her seatbelt and got up.
"Play nice," Coleen remarked. "Ms. Devereaux, would you mind helping me out with something?"
Sophie nodded and undid her seatbelt. She and Coleen walked to the back of the plane. Coleen stopped in the storage section. She pulled one of her suitcases from the top bin. Coleen knelt down and opened the Coach suitcase and Sophie smiled. It was pretty interesting to see how someone like Coleen traveled.
"So, what do you need my help with?" Sophie asked.
"I didn't need anything, I just thought maybe you would like to get away from the dueling men for a little while." Coleen glanced up.
Sophie smirked a little. It was refreshing to have another woman that was almost like herself playing on the same team.
"May I ask you something?" Sophie asked.
Coleen nodded. "Yes, of course."
"How did you and Sterling meet? You never told us that night, just the why. But the how is still a mystery for us?"
She smiled a little and looked over at Sterling. Her green blue gaze fell back to Sophie.
"We met in Barcelona. I was actually the agent that he was suppose to call for back up. Unfortunately that wasn't how things ended up. We kind of clashed that day and he ended up chasing me not knowing I was Interpol."
"Sounds like you two are really a match."
"I shot him," Coleen said. "Like I said he didn't know and I didn't exactly identify myself either. And he wasn't standing down. I shot a warning shot in his shoulder and warned him that I'd kill him next. I guess I wanted the mark more. You do stupid things when you are in the heat of the moment."
"And Sterling didn't give up in finding you."
"Found my hotel room before I got there. And he waited for me and I wasn't a very welcoming guest." Coleen dug through her suitcase. "I was foolish and inexperienced, but I got the job done."
"We all go through that experience." Sophie glanced over at Nate as he seemed to analyze every piece of information. "Some people just don't see the light right away."
Coleen smiled.
"How long have you and Mr. Ford been together?"
"Several years. But not actually together until recent. He spent several years chasing before me before he got me." Sophie looked at Coleen.
"Hard one to find, Ms. Devereaux?"
"More than others." Sophie smiled.
Coleen smiled and pulled out a small bag. She unzipped the well secure bag then zipped up her larger suitcase. Sophie looked at the leather back, book size, bag. She stood up and Coleen walked over to the others.
"I believe what you need for Trotter's tech support is in here," Coleen said to Hardison.
Hardison looked at her and she smiled.
"Exterior hard drive that is all you need." Coleen encouraged him to take it. "Don't worry, Jim's scrambler won't mess your computer up. It's secured enough. "
"Geek yourself, Agent Graham?"
"I know my way around systems well enough to get myself out of trouble." Coleen remarked.
"Thanks, you get some points in my book."
"Still off the board with me," Eliot said.
She looked at Eliot and smirked.
"You don't warm up to people much do you?"
"Not to people who drug me." Eliot smiled.
Coleen nodded.
"Fair enough, I deserve that," Coleen said.
Sophie looked at Eliot and he shrugged. He tucked some of hair behind his ear and leaned back.
"Enjoy the rest of your flight," Eliot said closing his eyes.
They finally landed in New York on a smaller airstrip to keep suspicion away from the public.
"We'll this is a walk down memory lane," Nate said.
"Don't get any ideas," Sterling looked at him.
Eliot walked past Sterling and shoulder bumped him. He narrowed his eyes at Eliot. Nate smirked and walked past him.
"Don't be surprised if someone shows up at your door," Nate said.
Sophie walked down the steps with Coleen following behind. The two of them seemed like they were best girl friends.
"Agent Graham didn't want your team to be uncomfortable. She convinced Interpol to put you up in a more reasonable place." Sterling looked at them.
"Great," Nate said as he looked over.
"Jim," Coleen said as she rested her hand.
"Yes, Darling?" He turned and looked at her.
She looked at him and grabbed his hand. "I'm going to take the women to find more suitable attire for Trotter's auction."
"Don't get to close to them. While you are out having girl time survey the area around the club." Sterling reached into his pocket and handed her something. "Keep them on a short leash."
Coleen nodded and glanced down at the card in her hand. She smiled and gave his hand a light graze.
"When I get back you and I are going to talk."
"I look forward to our talk." Sterling smiled.
She shook her head and walked off. She opened the driver's side of the car and got in. Her gaze looked at Sterling as he gave a nod. Coleen slipped the card into visor. She glanced back to him. He looked down in his phone and started a program.
Nate pulled the team together to fill them in with what they were going to do. He looked at Sophie and Parker.
"Alright team, Parker, Sophie go with Agent Graham," Nate said. "Sophie don't overdo it?"
"What exactly am I going to overdo, Nate?" Sophie smiled.
"Shopping, Sophie," Parker remarked.
Sophie looked at Parker and shook her head.
"Don't even dignify that with a response, Sophie," Eliot remarked as he folded his arms.
"Hardison, you need to go with Sterling to set up surveillance."
"Oh, hell no!"
"What's the matter hacker, you can't handle working with me?" Sterling walked over.
Eliot chuckled and Hardison shot him a glare.
"Have fun and try not to kill him we may need him to show proof of life to Eleanor. Although I don't think she would care if she's one short a pain in the ass." Eliot patted Hardison on the back.
Nate looked at Sterling as he stood there with his usual smug look. Hardison handed each of the team ear bugs and looked at Sterling.
"You don't get one of these." Hardison closed the empty box. "Nate, why can't you put up with Sterling?"
"Cause he needs your help with surveillance and getting into Trotter's security system. He's helpless…just think of it that way."
"No he just doesn't want to get his hands dirty." Hardison narrowed his eyes at Sterling.
Sterling walked towards Coleen's car. She looked up at him as he leaned against it.
"I've set the card. Any delicate information they share will be sent to my phone," Sterling said.
"Jim, why are gunning for the team if they've helped you in the past?" Coleen asked.
"I'm not gunning for them. I'm just preparing for them to switch." Sterling looked at her.
She looked at the team and the two women. Coleen glanced up at Sterling and lightly grazed his hand. He looked down at her and she lightly smiled.
"Be careful," she said.
"What are you worried about?" Sterling asked.
Coleen got on the car and leaned against the car.
"I just have a bad feeling, Jim. And it's not who you brought it. It's the case." Coleen looked at him. "I was doing some research on the ruby. There have been numerous incidences where people have died while it was in their possession."
"Its superstition," Sterling looked at her. "It has no power over someone who doesn't believe in it."
Sterling put his hand on her cheek. And she placed her hand on top of his.
"Listen to me," Sterling looked at her. "I'll be fine."
She nodded and didn't care who saw. She wrapped her arms around him and leaned her head onto his chest.
"I just can't shake this feeling. I've never been this anxious about a case since that mishap back in Brazil. Jim, it scares me when I get this anxious. And we're splitting up, you and I. I won't be there to have your back and you won't have mine."
Sterling leaned his head on hers and held her close. He didn't know how to comfort her like that. So, he just held her.
"When you get done with your little shopping trip, come back and the three of us will have dinner."
"Alright," she whispered.
"Nate, look at that," Sophie whispered nudging him.
He turned and looked. She wrapped her arm around his.
"Well, look at that, I've seen it all," Eliot said. "Sterling is actually showing an emotion in public."
"Eliot, some people don't show their feelings."
"Wonder what has them cozying up to one another?" Hardison questioned. "If you want to eavesdrop I'm your man."
"No, I don't want to hear that shit." Eliot looked at Hardison.
"Are you romantically challenged, Eliot?" Sophie asked.
"No! I just don't want to be scarred for life by the sentimental words that two Interpol agents, that are really like one another, have to say when their all wishy washy ."
Sophie looked at Eliot and shook her head.
"He's jealous," Parker remarked.
"Parker, shut up!"
"I think Parker has a point. As much as you hate Sterling, you really are jealous that he's got the girl." Nate folded his arms.
"Why is everyone ganging up on me? He's the asshole." Eliot pointed.
"He's got a point."
Sophie looked at Nate as she looked over her shoulder.
"She kind of looks scared. Look how tight she's wrapped her arms around him," Sophie said. "Maybe there's something she's worried about."
"Something maybe they aren't telling us," Nate said. "Sophie, Parker, while you are with Agent Graham find out anything that they might be hiding."
Nate turned to Hardison.
"Oh, no, I'm not getting all with Sterling. You can forget that, Nate! If you are going to do that send Mr. Feel good Eliot."
"Hell no! He's your problem, Hardison!" Eliot snapped.
"I was just going to say get what can off his phone, but if you are all into the feel good stuff go ahead." Nate smiled and walked off.
"That's not funny, Nate. I'm not laughing." Hardison looked at them.
Nate and Sophie walked over towards Sterling and Coleen.
"Are we interrupting anything?" Nate asked.
Sterling looked at Nate.
"No, not at all. What do you want?"
"Well, I figured you could take us to the hotel and the girls can get their shopping done." Nate said.
"Fine, load up." Sterling looked at the others.
Nate turned to the rest of the group and signaled for them to come. They grabbed their things and walked over in their direction.
"We'll meet back at the hotel to make a plan. I'm sure you wouldn't want to miss that?" Nate said.
"Of course not," Sterling said.
He turned to Coleen and she gave a slight nod. Sophie gave Nate's arm a squeeze and he looked at her. She eyed him and glanced at the others. They looked at Sterling and Coleen.
"Something's up. Sophie just gave, Nate the eye glance," Eliot muttered to Hardison and Parker.
"I saw it too. Sterling is up to something and he's got his little girl friend to help out." Eliot stared at Sterling and Coleen. "I told you I didn't trust her."
"Just stay calm," Sophie muttered low enough.
"Alright team let's get going." Nate looked at them.
Sophie glanced up at Nate and smiled.
"I'll keep an eye on him," Nate whispered in her ear as he kissed her cheek.
The team broke off and started prepping for their mission.
"Where exactly are we going shopping?"
"More fitting for the theme of Trotter's party. Ms. Devereaux." Coleen looked over at Sophie in the passenger side.
"What's the theme?" Parker asked.
"India, Trotter spent fifteen years in India. He's fascinated with the culture and has stolen many valuable items that belonged to decadence of Maharajas . He himself fancies himself a Maharaja and will do anything to be praised as one." Coleen looked at Parker.
Sophie looked at Coleen and tried to get a feel for her.
"So, what happened back at there?" Sophie asked.
"So much for being settle," Eliot chimed.
Coleen looked at Sophie. "It was nothing. I just felt over whelmed that's all."
"Over whelmed how?"
"There's a lot of pressure put on me as an agent. Jim, was just trying to comfort me."
"Please, that's what the bedroom is for," Eliot remarked. "Parker, Look at her body language as Sophie pries a little harder."
Parker stared at Coleen as she shifted.
"She's lying," Parker whispered.
Coleen reached for the knob for the air condition. But it blocked the transmission between the team.
Nate, Hardison, and Eliot looked at one another; there was silence and little bits of white noise.
"It's not easy contacting your team without your little bugs is it?" Sterling looked at all them.
"What the hell did you do?" Eliot said.
"Ah, I didn't do anything," Sterling remarked.
"I'm going to kick your ass, Sterling!"
Sterling looked at Eliot and turned down the street to a hotel off of the main road.
"This is how we're going to play, Fellas. You work for me so we do it my way."
"And what exactly is your, Jim?" Nate asked.
Sterling slammed the breaks and pointed to a building near the hotel. "That is where Trotter works. And that is where the ruby is. You are going to snatch the ruby and replace it with this."
Sterling reached under the seat and pulled out a box. He opened the cherry wood case and showed it to them. Nate looked at Sterling and he smirked.
"You want us to replace that ruby with a fake one?" Nate said.
"It's not a fake ruby. It's a real one just not as polished," Sterling remarked. "I had someone cut one to make it look just like the other one."
"Are you mad!" Eliot snapped. "Someone is bound to notice!"
"Of course, I have added a little more to the plan than I led on." Sterling lifted up his phone and handed it to Nate. "Press redial, Nate."
Nate looked at Sterling and pressed talk and it called the last person Sterling called.
"Hello," a familiar voice of his past.
"Maggie?" Nate looked over at Sterling.