Chapter 22 / What We Do in the Dark
"Anna. We have a problem," Elsa's voice crackled in Anna's earpiece.
"What sort of problem?" Anna asked worriedly as she paused, pressing one finger to her ear. She had been crawling through a ventilation duct that she had used to gain entry into the main breaker room.
"It's Weselton. He's here," Elsa replied. They were speaking on a private channel, shared only between them so the sisters could converse without Kristoff knowing.
"Wealseton? You mean mom and dad's old rival?"
"Yes, and he recognized me. He threatened me, telling me to stay away. I think he knows about the reliquary."
"Ah, crap. Of course, this is just what we need right now!."
"That's not all. Hans Westguard is here too, and I think they might be partnered up."
"Westguard… the guy who runs that private military company?"
"That's the one. If they're working together… well it can't be good, Anna."
"I know that… but we can't stop now."
"So what do we do?"
"Same plan, we steal it when it gets to the stage. Weselton is definitely going to try and buy it so we have to get it and get out of here before he can. I'm close to the breakers now."
"Alright, I'll radio Kristoff. And Anna?"
"Yeah?"
"Just… be careful."
"You too."
... ... ...
Elsa briefed Kristoff on the situation, but made sure not to mention Weselton's connection to her and Anna. As they spoke discreetly over their earpieces, Kristoff picked up a tray of drink and held them aloft at the foot of the stage. Nobody took much notice of him.
On the stage, a woman in a well-pressed suit clinked a glass, calling everyone's attention.
The auctioneer then leaned forward to speak into a microphone. "We will now begin the bidding. The first item on the lot; a 14th century reliquary box, with gold and silver inlay. We will start the bidding at one hundred thousand euros."
"Bidding has started, Anna are you by the breakers?" Elsa asked.
"Shit… I'm here but it's locked," Anna replied as she jiggled a heavy padlock. "I'm going to have to pick it," she said as she reached into her satchel to retrieve her lock-picking kit.
... ... ...
From the other end of the room, Weselton raised his bidding paddle.
The auctioneer nodded to him, then turned to address the room. "Thank you, we have one hundred thousand euros in the room, do we have other bids?"
Another gentleman raised his paddle, buying Anna some more time.
"Well hurry, Anna. If we don't act fast this Weselton guy is going to walk out of here with the reliquary," Kristoff cut in.
"I know! I know! Just buy me some time!" Anna exclaimed frantically. She was manipulating the tumblers of the lock as fast as she could.
... ... ...
"The bidding is now one hundred and fifty thousand euros, do we have any more bids?" The auctioneer questioned.
The gentleman that Weselton had been competing with did not raise his paddle again. Weselton nodded smugly, then turned back to the stage.
"One hundred and sixty thousand euros. Thank you," the auctioneer said.
Weselton whipped around and spotted Elsa with her paddle raised. She returned his gaze with a hard look of her own.
"Anna, any day now," Elsa muttered.
"I'm on it!" Anna said. "God, come on!" she hissed as the final tumbler clicked into place.
... ... ...
"We now have two hundred thousand euros in the room, does the lady wish to bid again."
Elsa nodded and raised her paddle.
"Come on, Anna. Now would be great," Kristoff hissed.
... ... ...
"A ha!" Anna exclaimed as she unlocked the padlock and tossed it aside. She wrenched the gate open and jogged up to the main breaker switch. "Got it! I'm in, I'm at the switch. Are you guys ready?" she asked.
"Ready and waiting," Kristoff replied.
... ... ...
"Five hundred thousand!" Weselton cried out, wringing his hands impatiently. "Let's wrap this up!" he turned to Elsa and stared at her challengingly.
Elsa met his gaze, then held up her hands in surrender.
"You worried me Ms. Drake!" Weselton pointed at her and sneered. "I was afraid I might have to kill you!"
The crowd around him gave a polite chuckle, not realizing the threat he had thrown at Elsa as it was masked by his joking tone.
Elsa turned to the side and scowled. "Let's ruin this asshole's evening."
"If there are no more bids. Going once… going twice…"
The lights suddenly went out, plunging the entire room into darkness. The crowd gathered before the stage gasped, stunned into silence and temporary blindness. A few seconds later, the emergency power came on, bathing the room in a cool, blue glow.
"It's gone!" someone shouted from the crowd.
The auctioneer turned to her right and the pedestal on which sat the reliquary box was now empty. Weselton bristled in fury and threw his gaze around the room, spotting Elsa as she slipped out a side door.
"Stop her!" Weselton cried out, pushing his way through the crowd. As he approached the door, a guard stepped in the way, blocking his path.
"Halt!" the guard called out in German.
"What in the hell are you doing?" Weselton gestured towards the door. "She's getting away!" he shouted furiously.
"Davon gehen," the guard took aim with his gun, and gestured away.
"Alright! Alright," Weselton snapped and walked away. "Goddamn it all to hell," he cursed under his breath and tossed away his paddle.