Chapter 25
20 Minutes Ago:
"Are you watching your monitors? Okay, keep watching."
Emma's fingers expertly danced across the keyboard. The images that Regina and her men were currently watching were a recording taken earlier, just after Granny's package had been delivered, but before Henry had gotten out of the cart. Emma had put them on a continuous loop so that the Security Room would be blind to their attempt of blowing the vault open from the inside.
With the tap of a few buttons, she quickly changed the images again.
They couldn't risk Regina seeing what was really happening in there; at least, not yet. Gold's pronounced limp would have given them away immediately, anyway. The video she now sent through the hacked security feed was one they had filmed themselves yesterday, in the fake vault that Jefferson had built.
Regina and her security team were actually watching David and August in disguise, gathering stacks and stacks of fake money and piling it into bags; bags that Archie and Gold could not possibly have brought with them.
The other monitor now showed the two guards lying on the floor, sleeping soundly, bound and gagged, but otherwise fine. This too was a recording, taken a few minutes ago and also put on a continuous loop.
Security was still essentially blind and yet completely clueless.
"Ms. Mills, you can either lose $62 million quietly or $124 million publicly," she heard Neal say over the untraceable phone. "The choice is yours."
Emma watched the security room live on yet another monitor as Regina muffled her phone against her thigh. "Make the call," she said to Gaston.
That was her cue. Working her own special brand of magic on her computer, she bypassed the phone's line and intercepted the call to answer it herself. "911 emergency response."
"We have two men with explosives, who have taken over our vault."
Emma smiled tightly to herself. "Don't worry, sir. I'm sending over a team right now."
After disconnecting the phone, she picked up the walkie-talkie. "August? You guys are up."
~8~8~8~
"You know, I've spent most of my life evading the police," said August thoughtfully, "but I've never tried to impersonate them before. This should be interesting."
"Just remember," said Granny sternly to the group at large. "No unnecessary chatter. We can't have anyone recognizing your voices, especially those of you who've interacted with Regina or her staff. Let August do all the talking. And under no circumstances are you to remove your helmet! I don't care if you're dying! The helmet stays on! Understood?"
"Fine by me," mumbled Jefferson as he removed his top hat and stared at the large, dark helmet in disgust. "I'd rather die than be seen wearing this ridiculous costume."
August, David, Mary Margaret, Ruby, Jefferson and Leroy were all dressed in the black uniforms of the elite crisis squad, S.W.A.T. Where Jefferson had managed to obtain the costumes, August had no idea, but other than being a tad long on Mary Margaret and a bit tight around Leroy's middle, the disguises were flawless.
"Will you be okay here by yourself, Granny?" asked Ruby. "You're still a little pale."
"Better here than there, girl," she replied with a grin. "I'll keep our escape route clear. Just worry about yourselves."
"All right, everybody in the van!" hollered August as he tossed the last of the bags into the rear doors.
"But Neal hasn't gotten back yet!" argued Mary Margaret. "What's keeping him?"
"We'll just have to pick him up on the way," he replied. "I have his gear. Let's go!"
They quickly piled into the black cube van that he and Jefferson had finished outfitting right before the earthquake had hit. With a last wave to Granny, they drove through the cannery's large loading doors with all the aftermarket lights a blazing. They had even managed to find a real police siren.
It was a relatively short drive to the casino, but with hundreds of vehicles trying to leave the crowded parking lot, they were forced to drive at a snail's pace. It was relatively easy, therefore, for Neal to jump aboard before they reached their destination.
"Miss me?" he asked teasingly while squeezing through the partially opened door.
"Cutting it a bit close, don't you think?" grumbled Leroy. He tossed the other man his helmet and bullet proof vest. "Where've you been?"
"Sorry, but I couldn't leave until I knew for sure that Henry was safe."
"Aww!" said Ruby and Mary Margaret together.
"So?" asked David nervously. "How are we doing?"
Neal tightened the Kevlar vest around his chest and slipped on his gloves. "Not too bad. Papa and Archie got the doors blown open with no problems. They should be ready by the time we're in place. Plus Emma's got our backs. She'll let us know if anything goes wrong."
"We're here," said August grimly. He turned his head to face the group squatting in the back. "Helmets on everyone. It's showtime!"
August jumped out of the passenger side and slid open the side door. He watched silently as each member of the team grabbed a heavy bag and hopped outside. A security officer for the casino was waiting for them at the main doors.
"I'm Jones," he said gruffly. "I am to give you access through the cages. Which of you lads is in charge?"
"I'm S.W.A.T. leader," August responded promptly. He was surprised at how his deep voice seemed to echo through the helmet. He barely recognized it himself. Unhooking a police issue walkie-talkie from his utility belt, he tossed it to the guard and picked up his own bag. "This will be the only way to communicate with us once we are dispersed. You'll need to bring this to whoever's in charge on your end. Blue Team, follow me!"
They filed into a single line and began the long march through the casino's gaming floors. The crowd of guests and gamblers parted like the Red Sea to make way for the formidable looking team. Some of the more sober guests turned right around and headed for the exits.
"What can you tell me about the situation?" he asked Jones once they were through the cage doors. The black and white trees embellished on the walls seemed even more disturbing through the dark tint of the helmet's visor. It was downright creepy!
"A couple of idiots have somehow made their way into the vault," replied the captain of the guards. "They claim to have explosives and won't hesitate to use them should we try to stop them. It's two hundred feet underground so we haven't bothered evacuating; Regina needs their money too badly to tell the guests to leave."
They arrived at a set of double steel doors into which Jones inserted his pass card. "Here we are," he said once they parted. "This elevator is the only way in or out. It needs fingerprint identification so I will accompany you down."
"No!" cried Ruby. August cringed but it could not be seen underneath his dark helmet. Ruby, fortunately, seemed to realize her error. "Um…I mean…we can't…. risk civilian lives. It's too dangerous. You must remain here for your own protection."
Killian Jones was suddenly very interested in Ruby's skin tight uniform now that he knew there was a female body underneath. His eyes raked over her subtle curves hidden behind the thick vest. "Oh, don't worry love. I'm sure if I keep my body as close to yours as possible I'll manage to come out untouched. Well…hopefully not completely untouched."
Someone, most likely David although August couldn't be completely sure with all the gear, grabbed Jones by the scruff of his neck and pushed him up against the eerily painted trees on the walls. Fortunately he remembered to hold his tongue. Jones had just spent considerable time with David this evening and would no doubt have recognized his voice.
"Enough!" growled August, trying to add as much authority into his voice as possible. "It's too risky to take the elevator. We're rappelling down and you are staying up here. That's an order. Clear?"
"Crystal," he replied with a sneer. David finally released his grip and Jones readjusted his shirt and smoothed his hair. "You know, I never did catch your name."
"That's because I didn't give it," countered August cryptically. "Now bring this to your boss and let us do our job."
David and Jefferson removed the ceiling panel from the elevator and helped hoist the rest of the team up onto the roof. They wasted no time in attaching their equipment to the metal beam and descended down the dark shaft.
Perspiration beaded down August's face as he struggled to maintain his breathing. Heights had never been an issue with him; he had spent most of his childhood hanging out in trees. However, he had never hung from a two hundred foot tree by a thin metal line in complete darkness! His head swam from feelings of vertigo and his dinner threatened to make a re-appearance.
His knees shook embarrassingly as his feet finally made contact with the floor and leaned heavily against the smooth wall for support.
"You know," chastised Ruby quietly, "for someone's who's spent his entire life running from his enemies, the police, and responsibility…you should be in better shape."
"Ha ha ha," he replied, dripping in sarcasm. He brought his sleeve up to his mouth and whispered into the hidden mike. "Emma? Are we clear?"
"Security is blind," she said promptly. "You are good to go."
He looked around at his team mates and nodded. "This is it guys. Absolutely no talking from this point on. You all know what to do."
Leroy and Jefferson each took a side of the outer elevator doors and pulled it open. One by one they hopped over the raised threshold and raced to the vault, where Archie, Gold and Henry were waiting patiently, sitting on top of a hundred and twenty four million dollars.
Several of the equipment bags they had carried with them were actually filled with flyers for Astrid's coworkers over at the Enchanted Forest strip club. One by one, they swiftly dumped their contents into a growing pile inside the vault.
Once emptied, they proceeded to refill them with the stacks of bound bills already waiting for them.
"This is Regina Mills, owner of the Casino," squawked Regina through August's walkie-talkie. Several team members jumped at the sudden sound of their mark's voice. "I don't care you what you have to do or who you have to kill. Just get me my vault back! Now!"
August reached for his radio as Gold dramatically rolled his eyes in annoyance. There was certainly no love lost between those two!
"Understood, ma'am," he responded respectfully. "We are approaching the elevator doors now."
He waved his hand at the others to hurry up their movements. They had very little time left.
"Night goggles on," he ordered. "Ms. Mills? Prepare to cut the power."
Archie had just finished tightening the bullet proof vest that Mary Margaret had transported in when Regina's voice once again cut through the airwaves.
"We are cutting power now."
The underground room was plunged into complete darkness. It took a few seconds for August's eyes to adjust to the eerie green glow of the night vision. He watched impatiently as the few remaining members zipped up their bags and hurried back towards the elevator shaft.
"Breaching elevator doors now," he said for Regina's benefit. Henry crawled into Mary Margaret's now empty bag as Archie finally put on his helmet. "We have two guards, bound but unconscious. Wait a minute…"
"Someone's here! Someone's here!" cried Leroy on cue. "Take them down!"
Jefferson stepped forward and unsheathed his submachine gun. He laughed maniacally as he fired hundreds of blanks into the now empty vault. He seemed to be enjoying it far too much to be considered healthy!
August hastily turned to Leroy and nodded. The shorter man dug a remote control out of his pocket and pressed down on the button.
A small smoke bomb imbedded within the mountainous pile of two-for-one lap dance coupons exploded in a flash of blinding light. An all engulfing cloud of gray smoke filled the vault and made its way down the hall to escape through the shaft.
"Lights!" he cried into the walkie-talkie. "We need lights! Now!"
August silently prayed that Emma was able to work her magic and change the image feeds again on time. If everything went according to plan, the security room would now be seeing the live images on their screens.
Archie and Mary Margaret immediately went to the bound guards to remove their fastenings. The rest of them expertly raised their empty guns and made their way through the smoke.
"A highly explosive incendiary device has been detonated," August relayed to Regina. "Repeat, has been detonated. We are now searching for survivors."
They spent the next few minutes poking around the ruined vault, marveling at the destruction from blowing the doors open. It was a good thing those cash carts were bullet proof and air tight because there was no way Henry could have come away unscathed if he hadn't taken cover inside of one.
As far as Regina and her men knew, this damage was caused by the same bomb that caused the all the smoke now being pumped away from the state of the art ventilation system.
Speaking of the devil…Regina had just pushed her way past Ruby and Neal and nearly stepped on poor Henry, who was concealed inside the long canvas bag.
"Who the hell is in charge here?" she demanded.
August rolled his eyes in annoyance and went to her side. "Ma'am, our search has found no suspects, nor have we determined at this time how they entered or exited the premises. It's as though they simply…disappeared."
If looks could kill, he would be a smoldering pile of ash! Her nostrils flared as she took in the destruction around her. "Take your men out."
"With all due respect, ma'am, I highly suggest you stand outside until the bomb squad has a chance to…"
"NOW!"
"It's your vault." He turned to his team and secretly smiled. She was playing right into their hands. "Blue Team! Moving out!"
They each hoisted a heavy bag of money and made their way to the elevator shaft. Considering that David was by far the strongest in the team, he was surprised to see that it was Neal carrying Henry. The two had certainly become close over the last several weeks.
No one spoke as they rode the elevator back up to the main level. Once it came to a stop, Archie hopped back onto the roof to retrieve his discarded clothing and umbrella. They ignored the security guard waiting for them and made their way out of the cages.
And just like Neal had told Regina over their phone call, they simply walked out of the casino with her money, all $124 million of it.
~8~8~8~
They were unusually quiet as they made their way back to headquarters. The drive seemed to take forever! Jefferson fretfully checked the mirrors every few seconds, as though he expected the calvary to come charging down Main Street after them.
Once they finally arrived, he swiftly pulled into the cannery's loading doors where it would be safely hidden from prying eyes. August removed his helmet and ran a shaky hand through his damp hair. "I think we made it," he whispered to himself.
The others piled into the back breathed a collective sigh of relief. Leroy chuckled to himself and slapped Neal on the back appreciatively. Henry peeked his head outside of the bag, his damp hair sticking up at all ends, causing everyone to laugh raucously.
It was as though a great heavy weight had been lifted from their shoulders.
They quickly exited the van and began to carry their loads to the escape vehicle outside the cannery. A beautiful 42 foot sailboat rocked peacefully in the gentle Atlantic waves. Granny waited impatiently, hugging each of them in turn as they came on board.
"She's a beauty, Leroy!" commented David as he pulled on one of the ship's many ropes.
"This boat is my dream come true," he replied happily. "I never would have gotten her without you guys."
"Excuse me, everyone! I have something to say!" said Granny as she handed out champagne flutes. "Please accept some wise advice from an old lady. Don't waste this wonderful gift we've all just received. This money will change your lives but don't let it change you. You lot are, by far, the best damn group of people I have ever met. We are now a family. And the one thing that families never do is forget about each other."
"Hear, hear!" said David.
Neal raised his glass in a toast. "To family!"
"To family!" repeated the others.
"Aw! Thanks for waiting for me guys!" joked Emma as she climbed on board. Henry ran into her waiting arms and she kissed his head repeatedly. Neal went to her side and joined the little family in an embrace.
August watched silently from the sidelines and contemplated Granny's words as the yacht pulled away from the docks. This money was a second chance, he realized. A chance to right some wrongs, to do something worthwhile with his life. This time he wasn't going to squander it.
He would get out of the game; lie less, drink less, be more honest. Maybe he could even settle down. One night stands were usually as far as it went with him, but after spending so much time surrounded by the budding romances of his partners in crime, he realized that he wanted so much more.
He finally realized he deserved more!
He smiled as he eyes wandered over the happy couples; Neal and Emma, David and Mary Margaret, Archie and Ruby, Leroy and Astrid…Astrid?
"Astrid? What are you doing here?" he demanded.
Everyone turned around and seemed to just notice the tall, thin addition to their group.
Leroy smiled sheepishly and wrapped his arm around his girlfriend's waist. "I promised her the maiden voyage. After we drop you guys off, we're going to keep going; have some adventures and see the world together!"
"And we're getting married!" she cried happily. She held out her left hand for everyone to admire the large diamond solitaire that sat snugly on her finger.
"Wait a second…" August performed another head count and frowned. "That means we're missing someone!"
"Where's Mr. Gold?" asked Mary Margaret suddenly.
"Oh, he's not done yet," explained Emma. She smiled conspiratorially and took a sip of champagne. "There's something else he needs to take care of."
"This has never been about the money for him," added Neal. He smiled as he held Emma closer then tenderly kissed her forehead. "Let's just say he's after something far more precious."