Chapter nine:
Mello doesn't hear any sounds that would indicate that the other is awake. He moves closer to be inside the bedroom keeping low in the dark. He spots a mound on the bed in the darkness. He moves inside keeping the mound, that is most likely Rodger, on the bed in the sights of the edge of his vision. He begins quietly looking around for anything that might aid them. He hopes that the old man has a clue to the number that they need in here. He opens a drawer only to notice some paper that he thinks might be some receipts. He turns to look to where Rodger is but the other hasn't moved. He turns back and turns his flashlight on the lowest setting. He hopes that this won't wake the other. He has to take the risk though. He scans the receipts seeing that Rodger has been using some money to get a few things.
A new suit. A few decorations for his home. A new lawnmower. Even some new dishes are some of the things that have been bought.
Mello turns off his flashlight doubting that this is going to be any good in proving that he is up to no good. He continues onward then pauses as the others phone buzzes briefly from a message. He waits in the darkness that is not slightly illuminated by the phone, to see if Rodger will be woken up by it.
Rodger grumbles before rolling over and is soon snoring.
Mello lets out a silent breath of relief at this. He heads towards the phone and takes a peek at it. He notices the background on the locked phone is that of a mountain with a date in the corner. He leans closer to read it and sees that it is a date of May 21 1987. He also takes note of what he can see of the text message. He reads that someone by the name of Holly has mentioned that the can of paint was very helpful then the rest is cut off. He would have to unlock the phone to see the full message. He can't take the chance tonight. He'll ask Matt to do that later. He has to work fast because the two of them could be found in the home.
The biggest threat right now is Rodger waking up to find Mello and Near have broken into his home. If he really is as involved as it seems he is then there is no doubt he'd sell off the two, or even try to kill them, to try to keep them silent from anything that they have found.
Mello takes a quiet photo moves away then sneaks out of the bedroom. He is trying to not put either of them in any more danger than they are already in. He gets to the living room where Near turns to him. "I found a date of May 21 1987. Let's try parts of it."
Near nods and begins trying that on the briefcase.
Mello turns to keep alert for making sure that the coast remains clear. "Matt."
"Yup."
"Can you hack into Rodgers phone? Lets try to get the message I took a picture of before he possibly deletes it tomorrow." Mello suggests and the red head can be heard making a sound of agreement. He lets the two work and remains as the look out.
"1987. It worked." Near informs them and Mello turns as the white haired male opens the briefcase.
Inside is a lot of money and nothing else.
Mello takes a few pictures including that of the combination. "Okay. I got it."
Near nods then closes the briefcase locking it again.
"I think we got what we are going to get from inside here tonight." Mello mentions once that is done. "Let us get out of here before we are found."
"Right behind you Mello." Near agrees and the two begin heading towards the stairs.
They reach the top of the stairs when they hear some heavy footsteps in the hallway. They hurry down the stairs trying to not make noise. They get onto the landing at the front door area. They have all lights off and watch from the darkness as Rodger heads on past the stairs. They stick to the darkness to try to not be seen. They also remain as unmoving as they can.
Rodger can be heard moving the briefcase around a little and clicking it open. "Oh, good. It was just a dream that someone got into this thing." He mumbles and clicks it closed as well as locked. He yawns then heads to where the kitchen is. He can be heard opening the fridge.
Mello nudges Near who begins heading down the stairs. He follows after the youngest member of the trio.
The two of them get downstairs and head for the exit.
Near stops and Mello is about to try to encourage him to move.
Then Mello notices light coming from the window.
Rodger must have turned on the light while getting a night snack. He could be looking out over the backyard for any signs of anyone trying to sneak in or out.
So the two stay in the basement waiting for the light to be turned off. They also listen for Rodger moving around upstairs.
After about ten minutes the light is turned off and footsteps can be heard heading away from the kitchen.
At this Mello and Near go out and start heading for the gate. They notice a flashlight beam coming from the bedroom window. They try to stay out of its light.
Near jumps to the side rolling in the grass probably getting grass stains on his clothes though that doesn't matter. He doesn't care if it is visible or not depending on where it ended up being. He is just glad that he has managed to avoid the light.
Mello is about to get the gate open only to duck behind the shed as the light goes to the gate. He curses under his breath as it stays there for about a minute.
Near stays where he is not moving at all as he keeps his body low.
Finally the light goes off though just in case Mello and Near stay where they are for five minutes. The light doesn't come back on and they can't see inside of the bedroom from here.
Mello takes the risk and steps out. He understands that of course Rodger would be paranoid with what he is doing and if he did have a dream that someone was there. He just hopes that the old man will brush it off as all just his imagination and dream. He gets it open so Near heads over and together they leave. He carefully clicks the gate back into place. He begins moving down the alley with Near not looking back as they just try to get back to the orphanage so they won't be found out.
They will just have to sneak into the orphanage and avoid any adults who might be out and about tonight.
"Okay. We will send the evidence we have then I think that we can start the next phase." Matt tells them over their communication devices that they have on.
"Great work everyone. We will end this soon." Mello agrees partially glad that once this is all done he won't have to pretend that Near is his rival anymore. He knows Near and Matt as the best teammates for himself to work with. He feels a bit bad about how he has to act for this undercover mission since the three have been on some great missions together before. He pushes it away for now and focuses on getting back to the orphanage.
After all, the two understand since they are all undercover right now.