Chapter 4

Meisner observed Trubel with a contemplative face, heading straight for Eve's quarters. They worked well together on missions and at command, but he had seen Trubel's disturbed looks at Eve's methods. Eve's effectiveness and single minded focus made Meisner appreciate that about her even if her ways were unnerving. Trubel however had her doubts, obviously. When Trubel did leave Eve's room, she was not pleased.

"Anything I should know about?" He questioned.

"You just can't get an answer out of her without coming away raw," Trubel fumed. "I tried to let her know I wasn't trying to kill her that night and she corrected me saying that was Juliette of course. Also I wanted to know how she felt about Nick, Adalind, and Kelly to which she replied that Juliette had problems with them, not her. If she's not Juliette, then just give me a straight 'Eve' answer," she huffed. "Then I told her I owed Juliette because she was nice to me and Eve told me that Juliette would have killed me too."

For all Trubel's violent past, she was still young and emotional at times. "What did you expect?" He queried. "You think we would recondition the deadliest Hexenbiest out there just to make her sensitive and tactful?" He stated pointedly. "Eve is a weapon. You don't cuddle up with a sword," he finished driving home his point. Trubel nodded with understanding if not satisfaction.

She returned to command where she took up surveillance again. That's when an automatic alert flashed on-screen from a Czech police report of the murder of an antiques dealer. In the picture of the body, against the far wall, was the mark for BC. Meisner said, "If Black Claw marked their killing of an antiques dealer..."

"They were looking for something but didn't get it. It's a warning to whoever has it," Trubel continued for him.

"It says she was found in the house of Joseph Nebojsa, who died several months ago," Meisner finished.

Once again Eve's voice came from behind, "Do we know who Joseph Nebojsa is?"

"No, but we're going to find out," Meisner replied.

Trubel's phone went off. "It's Nick," she responded.

Meisner said, "Take it."

"Nick... Want some back up?... Coming your way," Trubel answered. Then she headed out to meet Burkhardt. An hour later, Trubel called him asking permission for Nick and Monroe to come to HW. They were in possession of one of Joseph Nebosja's Grimm books. These books must have been what BC was killing to find. Burkhardt, Trubel, and a man he assumed was Monroe arrived several minutes later.

"Meisner, this is Monroe," Trubel explained.

"Good to finally meet you," he responded to the dazed man who simply nodded in return.

"And I think you... sort of know," Trubel stated indicating Eve.

Monroe finished, "Eve."

"Monroe," Eve returned coolly.

"You're looking very...good for someone we all thought was dead and gone. Not that coming back from it is a bad thing. I guess I actually owe you a thanks for," Monroe tried to say hesitantly, but Eve cut in.

"No you don't," she said flatly. "Is that the book?"

"Yeah," Monroe replied putting the book on the table and leafing gently through the pages as demonstration.

Nick addressed Meisner, "Do you know about the Grimm books?"

"Yeah. I've seen a few," he replied. These journals had been used for many brutal years against Wesen. They were priceless and dangerous.

"Well, this one is pretty amazing even as far as Grimm books go," Monroe said.

After a few glances through the pages, Eve stated, "If there are nineteen more like this it would help replace what was lost when the trailer was burned down." She simply said without assuming responsibility, but Eve wouldn't if that's what they were expecting, Meisner thought. Burkhardt threw a glance at her and Monroe was stunned, even Trubel gave her a look.

"Yeah. A lot of irreplaceable history was destroyed and not by accident," Monroe replied pointedly.

Meisner decided to break the tension, "Black Claw is willing to kill to get to these books. They must consider them dangerous."

"One of Black Claw's missions is to eradicate all things Grimm, including Grimms," Eve explained further.

Speaking to Meisner, Nick asked, "Look, can you get us the hundred thousand dollars Monroe's uncle wants? We only have twenty-four hours." A sizable amount, Meisner considered. That wouldn't be easy even in their situation here at HW.

"Actually twenty-two an a half and my uncle will not hang around," Monroe stipulated.

"I'll see what I can do, but this is government money from a fund that doesn't exist, so I can't make any promises," Meisner responded.

The situation was escalating. Now Monroe's uncle, the source of the items belonging to this Nebojsa, had been murdered. These books must be very important. The Claw had sent Czech agents across seas to pursue whatever Monroe's uncle brought with him, but Burkhardt's investigation found that no large baggage had arrived with the man. Meisner was uneasy. The Claw was getting closer to Burkhardt, his work, his friends, and... Adalind and her son. Determining to do some unofficial surveillance of his own, Meisner wouldn't sit on the sidelines any longer.

Nick and Monroe arrived back at HW just has Berlin branch supplied two names that were pulled up on the the main screen. "What is this, a Wesen database?" Monroe asked sounding amazed.

Meisner pointed out, "You're in it." Monroe gave him a leery look as Eve detailed the information they had gathered about the two BC agents. "HW in Berlin already connected them to the killing of the antiques dealer in Prague," Meisner supplied.

"Now they're here," Nick stated and Trubel nodded.

Meisner said to Trubel, "See if you can find out when they arrived." Burkhardt's phone rang.

Answering his phone, Nick said, "Hank... Now we have ID on both of them, Krisztian Ajandok and Oscar Vasicek... Yeah... You got this one?" Ending the conversation, he faced the screen again.

"I got 'em. Time stamp on this is 11:38 last night at PDX," Trubel detailed as the surveillance photo appeared on-screen.

"See if they rented a car or booked a flight out," Eve told Trubel. Then looking up at Nick, she said, "That will tell us if they're still in Portland." Burkhardt gave her a long, hard look. Of course he knew the reason she asked for those details. He was a detective and a very good one from his record. Eve's comment was condescending even for her. Meisner would have to speak with her again. Their alliance with Burkhardt was tenuous at best and they couldn't afford her giving offense, which Eve excelled at.

Nick's phone rang again. "Wu... And who was it?... Alright, where's it coming in?... Thanks," he finished hanging up. "You're uncle had the books shipped," Nick told Monroe.

"That's why he gave you twenty-four hours to think about it," Monroe replied.

Nick explained, "We couldn't find a shipping order in the hotel room and Felix would have needed that to pick up the books."

"These guys have taken it," Monroe concluded indicating the photos of the two men.

Trubel chimed in, "Got something on the car. Ford Expedition rented in the name of Krisztian Ajandok. Hasn't been returned."

"Then they're on their way to get the books," Eve stated obviously.

"The cargo company doesn't open up until 9 am tomorrow morning, but they're not going to wait for that," Nick devised. Turning to Meisner as they readied to leave he said, "Thanks for your help."

"I'll be asking for yours soon enough," Meisner informed Nick as they walked away.

Trubel jumped up saying, "I'm going too," but Meisner restrained her.

"No. We're not going to risk you over these books," he stated firmly. Trubel looked as if she would argue, clearly torn between loyalties, but decided against it. Later, Burkhardt called saying they had recovered all the books, so Trubel left to meet him. When she returned some time after, Trubel's face held such awe. I wonder if Burkhardt found something bigger that a few Grimm journals, Meisner asked himself.