Now that Chase recovered it's time for him to act.

A rumour was spreading this morning. Chase Devineaux was back. The moment of truth had arrived. Julia was there too, to see him walking into Chief's office. What would happen of this plan, of Carmen ? What would her role be ? Chase glanced at her, with a little smile. Argent thought about their meeting when she decided to pay him a visit on her own. Oh, right. Would he mention this ? Was the innocent Devineaux gone for good ? And all she could do again was to wait and see. Julia clenched her teeth. This sensation of powerlessness seemed to never end. And if it were still the same, it would never end, not to mention she'll have to bear with an even more arrogant inspector. Such great outlooks.

Chase entered Tamara's office. Phase two, let's move.

" Welcome back agent Devineaux ! It's a real relief to see you among us again." greeted the tall woman.

Oh the audacity of this bitch ! Had he not been prepared for this, he would just explode. But he had a role to play and a goal to achieve.

" It's good to be back, indeed." he said, but with a voice tinted with anger.

" Hm ? You don't seem so glad." pointed Chief.

" Well, you got to admit that this … how can I tell ? Mission, was a bit particular, since even I didn't know about it."

A natural reaction. Fraser would have found it very weird and suspicious that her agent didn't mention this.

" I understand perfectly that you might not be okay with this MO. However, taking you back was near impossible, since miss Sandiego happened to collect you. You know how gifted she is for disappearing. I decided to let you have a chance to observe and learn about her from a closer angle, it was a once in a lifetime occasion, and you being ignorant about this prevented them for interrogating you the hard way. I know she's not a violent person, so I bet she would never harm you. Guess I was right, since you're here. But be assured that ACME was never far away, ready to intervene. You'll also be greatly rewarded for your job, agent." explained Chief.

" Somebody hold me back, because I'm about to kill her. She doesn't doubt anything, doesn't she ?" thought Chase.

She thought him a real idiot. Well well well, Chief. You're in for quite the surprise.

" Hmm. I guess you're … kinda right about this opportunity. It's not something I would have expected myself during my tracking of her. But still, this isn't easy to accept. Especially since I'm not sure I can provide you with something consistent. You know she's smart, and she knows who I am so the rest was logical." responded Devineaux.

There. Make yourself desired. He seemed annoyed, crossing his arms as to erect a shield. He even displayed some anxiety.

" Yes, this was certainly hard work. That's why I'm hereby appointing you as special agent, no matter what you discovered." announced Fraser.

And here was the bait. But who was taking it ?

" Who, me ?"

" Yes you. I'll begin the formalities right now."

She tapped on a laptop.

" I won't disappoint you Chief. But ... can I ask about a partner ?"

" Hmm well why not. Choose whoever you want."

" Miss Argent will be perfect. Same grade as me please." announced Chase.

" Alright. If you judge her fit." agreed Chief.

" Was that contempt ? Hm, doesn't matter, I owed it to her at least. Now, to the fun part."

Chase revealed what he learnt during his stay : Carmen's teammates' names, their appearance, how she was aware of VILE activity thanks to intel present on a hard drive she happened to steal long ago. He couldn't discover her ties with them precisely, but he was sure she wasn't one of them. He also added that VILE was now more violent toward her than ever, with them being close to bankrupt apparently.

" Well those are critical datas. Is this all you could get ?"

" Given the circumstances, yes I'm afraid."

" Not bad at all. I was expecting that you wouldn't be able to find every detail about our crimson ghost, but the intel about her teammates will allow us to send portraits to all police forces so we'll pin her down easily." concluded Chief.

Chase nodded. The interview ended there. Chase exited the office. Fraser called for Julia, to notify her of her promotion. When the young miss presented herself, she missed falling backwards. Especially when she learnt who asked for this. Meanwhile, Chase returned to his new office. A private one, contrary to the common agents who had to share their space. He took out his telephone, after checking the place.

" It's me. I now have more access to the place. What do you need ?" he said.

" Well, I need access to their database. So plug the USB key I gave you into your PC. Once you accept me, I'll be in." replied Onyx.

" Need my new key card next ?"

" Yes, I'll check if there's useful things in it, though I doubt it. Would be too simple and dangerous."

Knocks resonated at his door. Chase had a smile. He knew who it was. He hung up, then opened.

" Good morning, special agent Devineaux." said Julia.

" Ha, how about you just call me Chase ? No need for all of this blah blah."

He let her in. Then she faced him once the door closed.

" Fine. I'm here because I just learnt I got promoted. Thanks to you on top of that. Mind explaining ?" she said.

" Don't like it ?" he retorted, pulling a chair for her to sit.

" No, that's not what I meant. Just that I failed to see why you would do this."

" The question is what do YOU want, miss Argent. I asked Chief to promote you because I owed it to you, as a payback for the way I treated you. And seriously, you know you deserve this more than me." explained Devineaux.

The way Julia fell on her chair, astonished, made him chuckle.

" Okay. I accept your … hum … apology. Now, what did you say to Chief about miss Sandiego ? I can't believe you didn't see her true colours while with her."

" Why should I tell you anything ?" questioned Chase, leaning on his desk, arms crossed.

Julia was taken aback.

" But … don't tell me you betrayed her ?!"

Chase frowned an eyebrow.

" Didn't you understand my question ? Why do you want to know ? What are you going to do after that ?"

" I don't get you." confessed Argent.

" Remember what I told you before my accident ? That you should rebel a bit more. I'm aware that the attempt to collaborate with La Femme Rouge ended by a bust. It cost you the Chief's attention, and earned you the others' contempt. But everyone can make mistakes. You weren't wrong about her, as you said I noticed that myself. You played, you lost. Fine. And now ? What are you going to do ? Fall into line nicely ?" developed Devineaux.

Julia looked at her feet.

" To be honest, I don't know. I'm sure there is a good reason as to why miss Sandiego trapped us like that, out of the blue. Chief is furious, and isn't even trying to figure out why. But I want to know."

" So you're on the truth side." guessed Devineaux.

" Of course. That's our job, whether we're ACME or Interpol."

" Alright. You'll certainly have the occasion to ask her directly, though I'm surprised you didn't do it when you asked her about me."

" Oh. Well, I must admit I was more preoccupied by what was happening to you, at the moment." revealed Julia, embarrassed.

Chase got pink.

" You're a golden hearted person, miss Argent. Just be careful with who." he advised.

" Duly noted. Well then, I'm sure you'll have a lot of work to do. See you later."

Julia smiled and exited the room. Chase had a snort. He was glad that he could make it up to her. As she said, back to work.

During the evening, Chase met Onyx in the young man's hotel room.

" Hi there. So how does it feel to be a special agent ?" greeted the hacker.

" To be honest, I don't care as long as it provides me what I need. What about you, could you get in their database ?"

Chase sat near him.

" More or less. I'll get in touch with that Player pal and transmit what you recorded. By the way, miss Sandiego will certainly guess it's coming from you, are you okay with that ?" wondered Onyx.

" Yeah, doesn't matter. I can put another key directly in the servers if you wish." suggested Chase.

" Hmm would be good but pretty risky. We need to reflect on that."

Onyx sent a message to Player. That one was sipping on a can when the message arrived. He raised a brow. That was coming from his group, a crypted message asking about his identity as a member, classical procedure. Player replied after the usual checking, then confirmed his belonging to the group. That was when a recording was sent with what seemed like a plan of a building. He checked one last time, before listening. His jaw dropped as it progressed. He made a call once done.

" Yes Player ?" replied a feminine voice.

" Carmen you won't believe it !" he exclaimed.

" What ?"

" I just received an email from my group, the White hat Hackers and you'll never believe it : it's a record coming straight from ACME !"

" Come again ?!" exclaimed the thief.

" Yes, I recognized Chief's voice. Connect me to your TV and gather everyone."

Carmen went out of her fitness room, calling for her crew in the meantime. Player appeared on the TV of their HQ in San Diego, which the team returned to with a certain joy. The team sat on a couch. Player launched the record.

" According to our crime intel, there will be an exposition of a very ancient papyrus next week in Egypt. We can bet without a doubt that it will be Carmen Sandiego's new target. This artifact, precursor of the book of the dead texts, is worth millions so she won't pass this opportunity. And neither will we : we'll establish a perimeter around the buildings to be sure to catch her. You'll be allocated in teams of three, as demonstrated here."

Player displayed a plan with several crosses here and there. The teams' positions. On the three exits, including the emergency one, the staff one, on the roof, and the parking. Carmen spotted a sewer network exiting near the place. So did Chase and he didn't mention this detail to his superior.

" Any remark or suggestion ?" asked Tamara.

" How about we replace this papyrus with a fake one ?"

Carmen startled. Chase's voice. Though it seemed closer than Chief's one, meaning he was probably the one recording this.

" Yes, good idea. Another museum can hide it just for the night and the exposition time." agreed Fraser.

" Do we have to monitor that museum as well ?" interrogated Julia.

" That won't be necessary, and would even attract unwanted attention. You agents are to arrive there three days before. It should allow you to be familiar with the place, and I'll send you a plan with your position. Agent Devineaux, I'm expecting you to try an approach. You certainly gained her trust, so it should be an advantage."

" Very well."

" Perfect, now everyone, dismiss."

The record ended here.

" So who do you think sent you this Carm' ?" asked Zack.

" I think Devineaux did. Jules doesn't know I exist, unlike him." replied Player.

" Which means he's on your side, Carmen." said Ivy.

A little smile formed on her face.

" Don't rejoice too fast. Maybe it's a trap." warned Shadowsan.

" What does it take you, seriously ?" intervened Zack.

The old man grumbled.

" Well, this is quite the proof that he's on our side. With this, we know exactly what ACME intends to do." made Player.

" But if I don't show, it might expose him. On the other hand, it could also mean that I backed up because of high security, and incite them to repeat this kind of plan." she said.

She needed to think about this. In order to keep being informed about ACME, Chase needed to stay unmasked. She wasn't supposed to know about the plan. She approached to study the one on the screen. The sewers … might do the trick. But how to enter the museum?

" We'll get in there disguised as members of the staff." announced Carmen.

" And how to steal their uniforms ?" asked Shadowsan.

" We have to be on site before ACME. So let's move."

Player handled the formalities, while they were packing. Two days later, they embarked for Egypt. Carmen was careful to be as invisible as possible.

" How is it Onyx ?" asked Devineaux, back at his hotel.

" I sent Player a message of alliance. If they agree, he'll inform us about her moves, and us about ACME's. I also got Interpol's answer." announced the young man, from his phone.

" Which is ?"

" We're in. Bianca is assigned to your team, and they want access to their servers. Other agents are also available, tasked to protect Sandiego."

" Perfect. Now, about this access business. I, as a special agent, can go close to it, but in case of suspicion, might the n°1 suspect." continued Devineaux.

" Exactly, so you must remain unsuspected. I mused on this : if I can introduce a robot in here, it can connect me. Think you can provide me with plans for the buildings, or something similar ?"

" I can give you an address and someone can bring your robot. Do you possess a tool that can map a place, so that I'll just have to drop it somewhere ?" replied Chase.

" Hmmm … not dumb. Not dumb at all. I think I might have this somewhere … I'll call you once I have it. Our search and development must have what you're looking for."

Chase thanked him.

While Carmen was spying on the staff museum, Devineaux met with Bianca. Or rather, they crossed paths in a street, where she slid something in his hand. He continued his walk. Once at his hotel room, he checked his emails on another computer than the ACME one. Instructions on how to make function the device he collected. Devineaux tested it. Once able to make it work, he went back to ACME HQ. Now, where to place it? He discovered a small air vent in the kitchen. He studied it. No, by the time he could open it someone might come in. But it did remind him he had the same in his own office … one hour later, Devineaux closed his air vent and erased fingerprints tracks. Never too careful.

The device activated and began its exploration. Looking like a caterpillar on wheels, it visited the place, scanning it during the night. It finally reached the computer servers room. This done, the bug exited the building and got to a checkpoint. Bianca went to collect it while Onyx studied the plans it mapped. He just had to send another spy who would connect itself down here.

The Red Team managed to steal uniforms. They got informed about ACME's arrival through Chase. Carmen wondered if she would be able to get a glance at him. Anyway, she entered the place before the agents, and headed where the papyrus was supposed to be shown. She scanned it for Player.

" Hmm, not bad but by comparing it with others I can spot differences. Signs here are badly written : there's mistakes everywhere. If I could analyse the support I'm sure it would be fake as well." announced Player.

" Alright. I'll put my little message and get out."

Carmen deposited a little paper looking like a visit card. The staff day was over, everyone left and she just mingled, behind them. ACME agents arrived just when she crossed the street. Just on time. She turned. He was there. Carmen observed Chase from an angle. She smiled when seeing him. To think he would help now … she had been right to trust him. Would she be able to talk to him though, she hoped so. He and Julia parted with other agents. He arrived inside the Museum.

Now, where was she ? Chase asked Julia to remain in position. She had mixed feelings about this. He was obeying Chief's order alright, but was he really going to arrest her, stabbing Carmen in the back ? Once more, Julia couldn't act. Devineaux entered the room where the thief's target was. Carmen appeared. They stared at each other.

Chase saw interrogation on her face. He couldn't help but smile when spotting her. That reassured her : it was the same smile as when he was part of her team. However, it quickly became mischievous.

" Well well well. There you are miss Scampiego." he made.

Carmen raised her brows. He seemed to be in the mood to play. Why not.

" Chase. You seem fine." she deadpanned.

" How sharp."

She had a smirk. Her eyes were vigilantly scanning the place, searching for other agents.

" You're alone this time ?" she continued.

" Yeah, I'm a big boy so I should be able to handle a little girl like you." he retorted.

Without the smirk on his face, she would have been offended.

" Little girl huh ? Then come over here big boy, so we can see who is the little one !" she provoked.

" Right away, little strawberry."

" UGH !"

That's how they literally rushed to each other. Carmen managed to avoid him with ease.

" Do you feed on soap or what ?!" exclaimed Chase.

" Hahahaha ! Come on, faster than that !" she replied, really amused.

And faster he went, but was careful in reality to not get too close. For, having seen him in training, Carmen understood he was holding back. That touched her. They played cat and mouse for a while, until he did manage to catch her forearm. Both were surprised, and froze.

" Hold on Devineaux !" they heard.

Zari was barging in, followed by other agents including Julia. Play time was over. Carmen made the man topple above her, before disappearing.

" Ah ! Well played Zari ! Couldn't you let me finish capturing her ?!" exclaimed Chase, getting up.

The concerned one had a wince. Zari approached the showcase where Sandiego left a message. She knew it was a fake.

" Chief won't be pleased at all." commented Zari.

And Chase would just love to see that. He let her announce it, while he and Julia exited the place. First attack, touché. He was also thrilled to learn that Carmen trusted him on that. He wondered what Onyx would dig from the servers. Something useful he hoped. Anyway, his chess game was off to a good start. But not to rejoice too early, that was just a first move. The next day, he and his colleagues arrived on a secret base for a debrief. Chase had to try hard not to smile when he saw Chief's angry face. The good news was that Sandiego couldn't steal the real papyrus, and neither could VILE. Julia was also disappointed : she couldn't talk to the thief but with her two partners, it would have been impossible. Chase glanced at her, seeing those feelings passing on her face. He too was curious to know about this breach case. For what he recalled, Carmen was looking for her mother. Did she have a link with ACME ? And what about her father ?

" Maybe she already knows about him. I'll ask François to search for her as well. Interpol had bigger means than Carmen."

The meeting ended without him listening at all. Damn, how was he able to achieve his revenge objective if he wasn't paying attention ? He caught up with Julia, and asked her with embarrassment.

" Gee, I'm not surprised. Chief simply said we must be more careful next time. She also said we'll get to have a new weapon : tasers."

Chase's eyes widened. This was bad. Really bad. How will she be able to dodge that ? He guessed it would depend : with threads or short distance ? Devineaux would inform her about it. Back at his office, he decided to look for intel about the thief's breach in the server. According to what he had been told, she tricked Chief with a fake VILE hard drive, which allowed her to enter. Carmen managed to find the password, it seemed. How was a mystery. The man searched the files.

" Dexter Wolfe ? Who … a VILE member ?"

A photo appeared. Chase scratched his chin. Why was Carmen looking for that ? It must have a direct link to her. Hmmmm …

" Oh putain."

Don't tell me … he was her father ?! But that would explain why this file, why not looking for both her parents. Because she knew, like he suspected. Wolfe was dead, killed by … He gasped. Tamara Fraser. He leaned on his seat. The irony. How was she aware, he didn't know. But facts were here. He called Onyx.

" Hi pal. Say, I want you to look for a file about Dexter Wolfe."

" Right away."

Devineaux heard the laptop.

" Got it. What do I do with it ?"

" Transmit it to François, and ask to search for a woman who was with him. Tell him to base it on a portrait of Carmen Sandiego."

" Fine."

" Did you also intercept wanted posters about her team ?" continued Chase.

" Of course ! It never reached any police force. Anyway, talked to François this morning. Said that all charges against them are clear, they're now considered as special agents, so they should be fine. I also looked deep in their files. This Fraser managed to get influence from several governments, thanks to some … not very legal deals." revealed Onyx.

" Ooooh exactly what I hoped !" broadly smiled Devineaux.

" To be more precise, she covered some political scandals in exchange for influence, and used it to buy some land to build her own shops. She also helped herself to some money in the bank accounts of criminals she arrested."

" So maybe we can cut her influence by threatening to reveal those scandals." suggested Chase.

" Eventually. The money she gathered is also dirty money, so we'll use both of them as a leverage. About you … a report said you were also supposed to be a bait for VILE operatives. Now, I'll transmit all I could find to François. He'll make the decisions." concluded Onyx.

" Understood. Your sister told me she was ready for intervention on the field. They're to arrest some VILE operatives and kill others." announced Devineaux.

" Yup, got the news as well. Well then, see you soon Chase."

" Good night Onyx, and thank you."

A few days later, Player received new intel from Chase. Carmen and her crew studied it with attention. Avoiding ACME would be easier for her, especially now that they had another weapon. Julia Argent was still determined to face Carmen. Knowing that, Chase asked to team up with her. It suited the brunette just fine, believing she could lose him easily. She waited for an opportunity during the next caper. Carmen used her team to distract the ACME agents. She didn't know that Interpol was also present this time. Bianca aimed at an operative.

" Target hit." she announced.

Some colleagues went quickly to collect it. Seeing the Lady in Red pursued by ACME agents, she signalled it. That was how a biker conveniently cut the road to an ACME team, who almost bumped into it. They argued, the biker responding sharply. Carmen managed to lose them.

" There you are !"

" Gasp !"

" Calm down miss Sandiego, it's just me, Julia."

" Well hello, Jules." replied Carmen.

" I have little time, so I'll make it quick : why did you breach our servers ? I thought we were allies."

Carmen stared at her. Julia always knew she was innocent, and showed she trusted the Argentinian at some point. She felt she owed her the truth.

" Because your superior had a link to my past. A direct one, and that's what I was looking for."

" Oh ? And … did you find it ?" questioned Argent.

" Yes. Sorry for the trouble I caused, but I needed to know, and Chief would certainly not have allowed me to have a peek in your files." answered Sandiego.

" I knew there had to be a reason."

Further, Chase spotted them chatting. He had followed Julia, having the ground covered by Onyx and Interpol. A little drone appeared near him.

" Oh Chase : ACME colleagues in approach, right to the girls." announced Onyx.

" Got it covered."

He showed himself. Carmen immediately saw him, since he was behind Jules. Devineaux figured she would run away without hesitation.

" I have you now La Femme Rouge !" he yelled.

Julia reacted by ordering Carmen to leave. That one reacted at the same time. He arrived while she used her grapnel to flee by the roofs. Argent was embarrassed : what could she say to justify the fact that she didn't do anything to stop the thief ? Would Chase report her to their superior ? She looked at him. Devineaux didn't have time to utter a sound, since their teammates arrived.

" Quickly, miss Argent tried to capture her, but she's flying by the roofs !" announced Chase.

Zari relayed the info. Julia looked at her teammate once sure no one had eyes on her. Did he just … lied ?! Argent had to admit she no longer knew where she was with him. He admitted that Carmen wasn't your ordinary thief, but he still tried to arrest her. Or did he ? She absentmindedly followed the ACME teams when retreat was ordered once more. Again, coming back empty handed. Chief was fulminating. No agents could use their tasers, as she was swift to defeat them with the help of her teammates. How ? HOW to finally arrest her ?

" Maybe we're too obvious with numerous teams. We should try with less. More discreet." proposed Devineaux.

" It appeared that the numbers are indeed not so efficient. Very well, less teams it is."

" Good. Less hard to handle."

Julia went straight to Devineaux's office after the debriefing. She closed the door behind her. He looked at her a little intrigued. No wonder she was here, after what he said earlier. Argent noted that he didn't seem surprised to see her.

" I think you know why I'm here." she began.

" Don't stay close to that door." replied the man.

Right, they could be overheard.

" You lied when you said that I tried to capture miss Sandiego. You covered up for me, and I doubt it is another apology. So why ?" she directly said.

" I knew you wanted to talk with her, so I followed you. Yes, you still have a lot to learn about stealth, he said when she displayed surprise. That was the very reason I asked to team up with you, so you could do so." he responded, before sipping on his mug.

" But … but why would you do that ?!" exclaimed Julia.

"Because you're trying to find your own truth. Even after this betrayal. You don't get influenced by others' opinions or judgements. Something that I respect."

" Meaning … you interrupted us on purpose ?"

" Yes. When I noticed our colleagues coming your way." revealed Chase.

" I don't get it. What is your position about Carmen Sandiego ?"continued Julia.

" Find yours first. You'll have to be sure of it Julia, you won't have a second chance. Once you do, then tell me about it."

" Why ?"

" You know why. Whatever position you might take, there will be no turning back. If you're on her side, it will be treason. So. Do. Ponder. Carefully." advised Devineaux.

Julia had nothing more to add, but quite a lot to reflect on.

" Thank you for covering me."

" No problem."

The brunette left the office.