-----
Kitty played the video again.
And again.
And again.
Still she couldn't find what on earth was wrong with Artemis' tone, but she was sure something was wrong.
In familiar Fowl drawl, "The Omni stone? Why what on earth would an innocent fourteen-year-old know about that--he miserably failed an innocent look--oh that Omni Stone! Well of course I have it. But you know, it was quite expensive in attaining...I'm wondering what I could fetch for it in the Black Market? A very high price, probably. Yes, but the United States Military could probably offer a higher price no doubt. Or would they be willing? Well, the point is, twenty million for the Stone; check made out to Artemis Fowl. Agreed? Agreed. Once I've recieved the check I'll it'll be placed in Room 16A of the abandoned steel mill on West Avenue. Don't bother check---king no-o-o-wwww...."
The last words became increasingly unclear every time she played it because of the disintegrating virus. And of course it couldn't be traced.
The check had been made out and an agent had been dispatched for the steel mill already. Kitty was only waiting for--
The phone rang.
"Hello?"
"This is Fowl. Put your hands up. This is a stick-up."
"Very funny Scheele."
"Pssh, let loose a little Kitty! Really, this whole FBI business gets you so wound up."
"Scheele, what about you? Don't you get wound up?"
"I don't work for the Stork." he replied easily, referring to Kitty's boss.
"He's not that bad once you get to know him Scheele!"
"Aaaah he's infecting you! This message will self distruct to repel the Storkvirus!"
"Fine, Scheele, just what's the lowdown on the Fowl case?"
"Well, Fowl didn't say he would put the Stone in room 16A"
"Crap."
"That's right! Fresh or clotted? For clotted we stock Fresh Step Scoop and TidyCats. We do not participate in serving dog crap."
"Well what was in the room then?"
"A tape recorder."
"ARGH!"
"Yup! But get this; it's all muddled. No one can make heads or tails of it."
"Send it in. I'll see what I can do."
"Will do, ma'am!! Overrrr and out!!"
Kitty rewarded Agent Scheele with a rare chuckle. "Whatever. Bye then--"
"Wait!"
"Hm?"
"Hey, um...are you free on Thursday night?"
"Is this..."
"Because that's the day my cousin works at Copeland's, and he can get us half off for dinner..."
Kitty grinned. Yes! Finally! She'd been waiting years for this. "You think I'm gooooorgeous...you wanna daaaate me..."
"Enough with the Miss Congeniality! Can you go or not?"
"Sure. Come by around 6:00."
"Okay! I mean...yeah. Right. Well bye then."
"Bye."
Kitty sighed. Artemis Fowl deserved his nickname in the FBI; the Trickster. If only she could figure out where he was!
***
Right then Artemis was very tense, as the Neutrino levelly edged closer to his mussed salon hairdo.
"Hand over the stone. Now."
"I don't have it."
"Where is it?"
"In a villa. My villa. The Fowl villa. Italy. Name of Fowl." Artemis couldn't help stuttering a bit. The girl was very pretty, even though she had an incredibly dangerous weapon pointed at his cranium. And she looked angry too, but she looked good angry. Her hair smelled nice. Did she use Herbal Essences? Juliet used that. It smelled good...why was he acting like this? The girl was ugly! She was spinning. Around and around...around...probably dumb...not dumb...gun...
Gradually Artemis was loosing consciousness until finally, there was only darkness.