No notes this time.just another thank you to my reviewers for taking the
time to review.
*-*-*-*-*
The next morning Dylan and Anthony arrived at the agency. She wanted to stop by to see if the other angels had found any leads. They entered the office; it was the first time he had been there. "So what do you think?" Dylan asked. He stopped in the angel gallery and looked at the portraits of all the angels before the three he knew. He paused in front of the picture of Madison Lee. As if she knew what he was thinking she answered, "We keep her up there as a reminder that sometimes even angels go bad."
"I've never been the first here. Usually either Bosley or Natalie has coffee on by the time I arrive," she said walking over to the Mr. Coffee and pulling out the basket. Anthony reached around her and took it from her hand. He loved her but one thing he had discovered is she couldn't make a decent pot of coffee. "Fine you do it. At least I won't have to hear the others complain then." She sat on the couch and watched him measure out the grounds and the water. "I do the same thing and it just doesn't taste right when I make it."
The door swung open and Natalie bounced in. "You're on time!" Then she noticed Anthony at the coffee maker. "Now I see why. Good morning, Anthony." He gave her a curt nod. "Don't take this wrong," she said to Dylan, "but why is he here?"
"Oh we have an appointment to see a collector. Have you heard of a man by the name of Neville Rutherford?"
Just then Alex came in. "Neville Rutherford aka Ruthless Rutherford?" she asked. Dylan hadn't heard the nickname before and looked at Anthony who nodded.
"Yeah I guess so why?" asked Dylan.
"Its rumored that he has some of the most famous art work ever stolen. I heard that it is suspected that he has the daVinci that was stolen not too long ago from a Scottish castle. If it's something he wants he will find a way to get it. So how do you get an appointment to see a man like that?" she asked looking at Dylan. Then she looked at Anthony. "I guess I can figure that one out. Are you just going to waltz in and ask him if he stole the eggs?"
"Actually I'm going as a buyer. He already knows Anthony and he is just going to introduce us. Even if he doesn't have the eggs he might know where we could get them or who has them."
Alex walked over to the coffee pot and poured a cup. She knew Dylan was crazy about the assassin and for that reason alone she tried to trust him but she couldn't. "I don't know about this Dylan."
"I do. Look you said it yourself he has some of the most famous artwork ever stolen and the Faberge eggs are certainly works of art. I have Anthony to cover me. Nothing should go wrong," said Dylan with a hint of anger in her voice.
Natalie sensing a possible situation brewing hopped in, "I spoke with Kate last night. She's our client," she clarified for Anthony. "Since I am going to checking on the employees at the museum she made arrangements that I am posing as a visiting lecturer. She seems to think that will give me access to all the pertinent people; at least to those who may have had access between the shipment being picked up at customs and when they were opened to be placed on display. She also emailed me pictures and descriptions of the eggs that were stolen." Natalie passed copies of the email around containing pictures of the four stolen eggs: The Resurection Egg, The Caucus Egg, Cukoo Egg, and the Lily of the Valley Egg.
"They are certainly something," said Dylan and then looked at her watch. "Oh we should be going." She stood and grabbed her purse.
"Have fun and be careful," called Natalie as Dylan and Anthony left.
"Do you trust him?" Alex asked her watching the two leave.
"Yes, I think he is nice. You really should try to get to know him Alex. I think he loves her. Plus I don't think he would let Rutherford hurt her look at the effort he went through to get a cure for her when she was sick," said Natalie.
"You're right. I just need to give him a chance. So what if he pulled my hair out and tried to throw me off the roof of the mission."
*-*-*-*-*
Anthony and Dylan arrived at Rutherford's a little before eleven, right on time. Dylan wiped the lenses of the glasses she was wearing on a tissue and then blotted her lipstick. "Do I look okay?" she asked. Anthony smiled at her. It was all the answer she needed. "Good. Let's go." The exited the car and walked up to the door of the large Beverly Hills mansion. Anthony rapped on the door with the head of his cane. It wasn't long before the butler answered the door.
"Good to see you again, Sir." He said as Anthony stepped inside. "Madam," he nodded to Dylan.
"Hello, I'm Lillian Blaine." Dylan introduced herself.
"Yes Ms. Blaine, Mr. Rutherford is expecting you." The butler led them down the hall and then stopped. "I must get his tea but Sir," he said addressing Anthony, "you know where the study is. Could you kindly escort the lady?" Anthony nodded and took Dylan's arm as they continued down the hall and around a corner. At a large door they stopped and Anthony knocked.
"Blast it Martin, you know you don't have to knock every time," called Rutherford from his study. Anthony opened the door and the two of them stepped inside.
Dylan cleared her throat to get the man seated in the read velvet wing- backed chair's attention. Rutherford turned quickly around and whistled. "My, aren't you lovely," he exclaimed standing up and stepping closer to her. He then noticed Anthony. "Had you said your buyer was so lovely I wouldn't have given you a hard time last night, Old Chap. So how have you been?" he asked shaking Anthony's hand. Anthony reached into his pocket and produced a pen and paper. He quickly wrote a note, "I'm well. This is Lillian Blaine."
"Ah Miss Blaine," he said kissing Dylan's hand. "Am I right to assume you are a miss and not a missus?"
"I'm neither actually. I prefer Ms.," she said with a small smile.
"Oh a liberated type, how grand! So Anthony here tells me that you are looking for something special," said Rutherford sitting. "Oh and make yourselves comfortable. Have a seat. I am so sorry for my rude behavior I'm normally not up and about before noon."
"I'm sorry our visit disturbed your rest, Mr. Rutherford." said Dylan sitting in the wing-backed chair across from him. Anthony remained standing at her side.
"Oh a visit from a beautiful woman is never a disturbance after all I could never have dreamed anything as lovely as you. Anthony where ever did you find this angel?" he asked. Dylan glanced up at Anthony and he just shrugged his shoulders at Rutherford. Anthony inwardly cringed. He had always found the man's way with women amusing before but now that he was using it on Dylan he found it obnoxious and tiring.
Dylan continued, "I think we should get on to business Mr. Rutherford. I have heard that there are four Faberge Eggs that are on the market. I am interested in obtaining them."
Rutherford looked her over and then at Anthony. "I don't know anything about Faberge Eggs being for sale. I do know that the Los Angeles Museum of Art has some that could be acquired by the right thief. Anthony, do you know anyone who could get Ms. Blaine what she is looking for?"
Anthony wrote and handed the paper to Rutherford who read it out loud, "'I thought you would know.' I wish I did. I have a Faberge that I obtained years ago only to discover it was a fake."
Dylan was a bit taken aback that the man didn't seem to know that the eggs were missing. She had counted on him knowing who had them. "You see. I know that there are eggs at the museum I also have word that they are also fakes. I would like to find out who has the real ones and purchase them. Could you find out who has them?"
The butler came in and began pouring tea for their host. "Would you like some?" asked Rutherford. Both Anthony and Dylan declined. He took a sip of his tea and fanned his mouth. "It's a bit warm. Well Ms. Blaine, Lillian, I could possibly find out what you want to know but the price is high. I would love to acquire the eggs myself so if I get them for you what do I get in return?"
Anthony looked at Dylan not letting his concern show. This is what he had been waiting for Rutherford to do, it was how he usually got whatever he wanted and in this case it was quite obvious he preferred Dylan to the eggs. Dylan smiled seductively and leaned towards Rutherford letting her tight fitting blazer expose her cleavage. "I'm sure we could work out a deal, Mr. Rutherford." She placed her hand high on his thigh.
"I think we defiantly could Lillian, I think we defiantly could. Give me a few days and I'll get back to you with an offer. Where can I reach you?" He covered her hand with his and leaned towards her. It was all she could do not to show her disgust from his warm breath that smelled of stale scotch on her cheek.
"I prefer to make contact. I'll have Anthony get a hold of you in two days and see if you are ready to play." Dylan slowly sat up and adjusted her jacket then stood and walked towards the door. She could feel Rutherford's eyes on her ass and it made her uncomfortable. As she opened the door Anthony's hand pressed against her lower back guiding her out into the hall.
"Anthony," Rutherford called after him. "Bring me more clients like her and I'll see you get a large commission." He waggled his eyebrows and stared at the woman walking down the hall. Anthony just nodded and followed Dylan out to the car.
As she climbed in she said, "I think that went pretty well." Anthony didn't say anything. "Are you mad? Why?" He still didn't reply. He didn't know how to tell her he hated the way that she flirted back at Rutherford even if it would help the angels recover the stolen eggs. He decided that the wall of silence he kept around himself would be enough for now.
*-*-*-*-*
Natalie met their client around the same time that Dylan and Anthony arrived at Rutherford's. "Natalie," Kate called out waving. "I am so glad you are here. I was just about to put the eggs on display."
"Great," said Natalie. "I'd like to take a look at the crate, packing material, and bill of lading. Maybe I can get some information from it."
"You can find information out from a packing crate?" asked Kate surprised. "This way," she said leading Natalie down the long echoing corridor.
"You'd be what kind of clues get left behind. Obviously the thief was fast he since he had only the short window of time between customs and when you checked the crate on its arrival here at the museum. Thieves who do quick jobs in short time frames tend to be sloppy."
"I hadn't thought of that. Turn here." They made a left down another hallway and as they came to the second door on the right Kate stopped and removed a bundle of keys from her pocket. "These are the storage rooms where the art that isn't on display is kept. The key unlocks this outer door once we reach the bottom of the stairs the security is tighter." She fumbled locating the correct key and unlocked the door. "Be careful," she advised Natalie as she reached in and turned on the light near the top of the stairs. "I was told it was very seldom that people come down here since the art isn't rotated that often; usually only when the LAMA has a special exhibit."
The two of them carefully tread down the narrow steep stairway. "How long have you been in LA?" asked Natalie.
"I was here two months ago for the interview here and to visit my Great Uncle. I have only been permanently in LA for a bout a week and a half," she said stopping at the thumb print scanner on the security door. She pressed her thumb against it and it beeped, "Welcome Ekaterina." Kate pushed on the heavy door and she and Natalie entered the storage room.
"So are you staying with your Uncle here in LA?"
"No, I have my own place. I haven't seen him since before I went back to Moscow. I keep trying to call but there is never any answer. He is quite the scatterbrain at times, the old coot but I do love him. Now over here is the crate. I even supervised it being brought down here by the superintendent and his colleague. I can't imagine how anyone stole them."
Natalie looked over the wooden crate and carefully removed the lid. "Hmmm are you sure this is the crate they were shipped in?" she asked.
"What do you mean? It's the crate I picked up with the Super at the customs office." Said Kate confused.
Natalie looked at Kate and asked, "Can you help me lift it?" Kate nodded and grabbed one side of the box; though small it was heavy. "I think they pulled a bait and switch on you at customs either that or on the truck. This can't be the box they were shipped in."
"Why not?" asked Kate. "I am sure it is."
"See this," Natalie reached over and removed the plastic envelope that had the shipping invoice and airway bill in it revealing another address one in Sacramento.
"I don't understand," said Kate sitting on a large wooden crate that was behind her.
"Two boxes," said Natalie, "Whoever did this probably thought it was easier to cover up the original airway bill because they didn't count on the fakes being discovered."
"So you are saying they placed an airway bill over the one for here and sent it off to Sacramento?"
"Exactly," said Natalie.
"But there is no name on this one so who did it go to?" asked Kate feeling more and more puzzled.
"That is what I hope Alex will find out," said Natalie pulling out her cell phone and dialing Alex's number.
*-*-*-*-*
The next morning Dylan and Anthony arrived at the agency. She wanted to stop by to see if the other angels had found any leads. They entered the office; it was the first time he had been there. "So what do you think?" Dylan asked. He stopped in the angel gallery and looked at the portraits of all the angels before the three he knew. He paused in front of the picture of Madison Lee. As if she knew what he was thinking she answered, "We keep her up there as a reminder that sometimes even angels go bad."
"I've never been the first here. Usually either Bosley or Natalie has coffee on by the time I arrive," she said walking over to the Mr. Coffee and pulling out the basket. Anthony reached around her and took it from her hand. He loved her but one thing he had discovered is she couldn't make a decent pot of coffee. "Fine you do it. At least I won't have to hear the others complain then." She sat on the couch and watched him measure out the grounds and the water. "I do the same thing and it just doesn't taste right when I make it."
The door swung open and Natalie bounced in. "You're on time!" Then she noticed Anthony at the coffee maker. "Now I see why. Good morning, Anthony." He gave her a curt nod. "Don't take this wrong," she said to Dylan, "but why is he here?"
"Oh we have an appointment to see a collector. Have you heard of a man by the name of Neville Rutherford?"
Just then Alex came in. "Neville Rutherford aka Ruthless Rutherford?" she asked. Dylan hadn't heard the nickname before and looked at Anthony who nodded.
"Yeah I guess so why?" asked Dylan.
"Its rumored that he has some of the most famous art work ever stolen. I heard that it is suspected that he has the daVinci that was stolen not too long ago from a Scottish castle. If it's something he wants he will find a way to get it. So how do you get an appointment to see a man like that?" she asked looking at Dylan. Then she looked at Anthony. "I guess I can figure that one out. Are you just going to waltz in and ask him if he stole the eggs?"
"Actually I'm going as a buyer. He already knows Anthony and he is just going to introduce us. Even if he doesn't have the eggs he might know where we could get them or who has them."
Alex walked over to the coffee pot and poured a cup. She knew Dylan was crazy about the assassin and for that reason alone she tried to trust him but she couldn't. "I don't know about this Dylan."
"I do. Look you said it yourself he has some of the most famous artwork ever stolen and the Faberge eggs are certainly works of art. I have Anthony to cover me. Nothing should go wrong," said Dylan with a hint of anger in her voice.
Natalie sensing a possible situation brewing hopped in, "I spoke with Kate last night. She's our client," she clarified for Anthony. "Since I am going to checking on the employees at the museum she made arrangements that I am posing as a visiting lecturer. She seems to think that will give me access to all the pertinent people; at least to those who may have had access between the shipment being picked up at customs and when they were opened to be placed on display. She also emailed me pictures and descriptions of the eggs that were stolen." Natalie passed copies of the email around containing pictures of the four stolen eggs: The Resurection Egg, The Caucus Egg, Cukoo Egg, and the Lily of the Valley Egg.
"They are certainly something," said Dylan and then looked at her watch. "Oh we should be going." She stood and grabbed her purse.
"Have fun and be careful," called Natalie as Dylan and Anthony left.
"Do you trust him?" Alex asked her watching the two leave.
"Yes, I think he is nice. You really should try to get to know him Alex. I think he loves her. Plus I don't think he would let Rutherford hurt her look at the effort he went through to get a cure for her when she was sick," said Natalie.
"You're right. I just need to give him a chance. So what if he pulled my hair out and tried to throw me off the roof of the mission."
*-*-*-*-*
Anthony and Dylan arrived at Rutherford's a little before eleven, right on time. Dylan wiped the lenses of the glasses she was wearing on a tissue and then blotted her lipstick. "Do I look okay?" she asked. Anthony smiled at her. It was all the answer she needed. "Good. Let's go." The exited the car and walked up to the door of the large Beverly Hills mansion. Anthony rapped on the door with the head of his cane. It wasn't long before the butler answered the door.
"Good to see you again, Sir." He said as Anthony stepped inside. "Madam," he nodded to Dylan.
"Hello, I'm Lillian Blaine." Dylan introduced herself.
"Yes Ms. Blaine, Mr. Rutherford is expecting you." The butler led them down the hall and then stopped. "I must get his tea but Sir," he said addressing Anthony, "you know where the study is. Could you kindly escort the lady?" Anthony nodded and took Dylan's arm as they continued down the hall and around a corner. At a large door they stopped and Anthony knocked.
"Blast it Martin, you know you don't have to knock every time," called Rutherford from his study. Anthony opened the door and the two of them stepped inside.
Dylan cleared her throat to get the man seated in the read velvet wing- backed chair's attention. Rutherford turned quickly around and whistled. "My, aren't you lovely," he exclaimed standing up and stepping closer to her. He then noticed Anthony. "Had you said your buyer was so lovely I wouldn't have given you a hard time last night, Old Chap. So how have you been?" he asked shaking Anthony's hand. Anthony reached into his pocket and produced a pen and paper. He quickly wrote a note, "I'm well. This is Lillian Blaine."
"Ah Miss Blaine," he said kissing Dylan's hand. "Am I right to assume you are a miss and not a missus?"
"I'm neither actually. I prefer Ms.," she said with a small smile.
"Oh a liberated type, how grand! So Anthony here tells me that you are looking for something special," said Rutherford sitting. "Oh and make yourselves comfortable. Have a seat. I am so sorry for my rude behavior I'm normally not up and about before noon."
"I'm sorry our visit disturbed your rest, Mr. Rutherford." said Dylan sitting in the wing-backed chair across from him. Anthony remained standing at her side.
"Oh a visit from a beautiful woman is never a disturbance after all I could never have dreamed anything as lovely as you. Anthony where ever did you find this angel?" he asked. Dylan glanced up at Anthony and he just shrugged his shoulders at Rutherford. Anthony inwardly cringed. He had always found the man's way with women amusing before but now that he was using it on Dylan he found it obnoxious and tiring.
Dylan continued, "I think we should get on to business Mr. Rutherford. I have heard that there are four Faberge Eggs that are on the market. I am interested in obtaining them."
Rutherford looked her over and then at Anthony. "I don't know anything about Faberge Eggs being for sale. I do know that the Los Angeles Museum of Art has some that could be acquired by the right thief. Anthony, do you know anyone who could get Ms. Blaine what she is looking for?"
Anthony wrote and handed the paper to Rutherford who read it out loud, "'I thought you would know.' I wish I did. I have a Faberge that I obtained years ago only to discover it was a fake."
Dylan was a bit taken aback that the man didn't seem to know that the eggs were missing. She had counted on him knowing who had them. "You see. I know that there are eggs at the museum I also have word that they are also fakes. I would like to find out who has the real ones and purchase them. Could you find out who has them?"
The butler came in and began pouring tea for their host. "Would you like some?" asked Rutherford. Both Anthony and Dylan declined. He took a sip of his tea and fanned his mouth. "It's a bit warm. Well Ms. Blaine, Lillian, I could possibly find out what you want to know but the price is high. I would love to acquire the eggs myself so if I get them for you what do I get in return?"
Anthony looked at Dylan not letting his concern show. This is what he had been waiting for Rutherford to do, it was how he usually got whatever he wanted and in this case it was quite obvious he preferred Dylan to the eggs. Dylan smiled seductively and leaned towards Rutherford letting her tight fitting blazer expose her cleavage. "I'm sure we could work out a deal, Mr. Rutherford." She placed her hand high on his thigh.
"I think we defiantly could Lillian, I think we defiantly could. Give me a few days and I'll get back to you with an offer. Where can I reach you?" He covered her hand with his and leaned towards her. It was all she could do not to show her disgust from his warm breath that smelled of stale scotch on her cheek.
"I prefer to make contact. I'll have Anthony get a hold of you in two days and see if you are ready to play." Dylan slowly sat up and adjusted her jacket then stood and walked towards the door. She could feel Rutherford's eyes on her ass and it made her uncomfortable. As she opened the door Anthony's hand pressed against her lower back guiding her out into the hall.
"Anthony," Rutherford called after him. "Bring me more clients like her and I'll see you get a large commission." He waggled his eyebrows and stared at the woman walking down the hall. Anthony just nodded and followed Dylan out to the car.
As she climbed in she said, "I think that went pretty well." Anthony didn't say anything. "Are you mad? Why?" He still didn't reply. He didn't know how to tell her he hated the way that she flirted back at Rutherford even if it would help the angels recover the stolen eggs. He decided that the wall of silence he kept around himself would be enough for now.
*-*-*-*-*
Natalie met their client around the same time that Dylan and Anthony arrived at Rutherford's. "Natalie," Kate called out waving. "I am so glad you are here. I was just about to put the eggs on display."
"Great," said Natalie. "I'd like to take a look at the crate, packing material, and bill of lading. Maybe I can get some information from it."
"You can find information out from a packing crate?" asked Kate surprised. "This way," she said leading Natalie down the long echoing corridor.
"You'd be what kind of clues get left behind. Obviously the thief was fast he since he had only the short window of time between customs and when you checked the crate on its arrival here at the museum. Thieves who do quick jobs in short time frames tend to be sloppy."
"I hadn't thought of that. Turn here." They made a left down another hallway and as they came to the second door on the right Kate stopped and removed a bundle of keys from her pocket. "These are the storage rooms where the art that isn't on display is kept. The key unlocks this outer door once we reach the bottom of the stairs the security is tighter." She fumbled locating the correct key and unlocked the door. "Be careful," she advised Natalie as she reached in and turned on the light near the top of the stairs. "I was told it was very seldom that people come down here since the art isn't rotated that often; usually only when the LAMA has a special exhibit."
The two of them carefully tread down the narrow steep stairway. "How long have you been in LA?" asked Natalie.
"I was here two months ago for the interview here and to visit my Great Uncle. I have only been permanently in LA for a bout a week and a half," she said stopping at the thumb print scanner on the security door. She pressed her thumb against it and it beeped, "Welcome Ekaterina." Kate pushed on the heavy door and she and Natalie entered the storage room.
"So are you staying with your Uncle here in LA?"
"No, I have my own place. I haven't seen him since before I went back to Moscow. I keep trying to call but there is never any answer. He is quite the scatterbrain at times, the old coot but I do love him. Now over here is the crate. I even supervised it being brought down here by the superintendent and his colleague. I can't imagine how anyone stole them."
Natalie looked over the wooden crate and carefully removed the lid. "Hmmm are you sure this is the crate they were shipped in?" she asked.
"What do you mean? It's the crate I picked up with the Super at the customs office." Said Kate confused.
Natalie looked at Kate and asked, "Can you help me lift it?" Kate nodded and grabbed one side of the box; though small it was heavy. "I think they pulled a bait and switch on you at customs either that or on the truck. This can't be the box they were shipped in."
"Why not?" asked Kate. "I am sure it is."
"See this," Natalie reached over and removed the plastic envelope that had the shipping invoice and airway bill in it revealing another address one in Sacramento.
"I don't understand," said Kate sitting on a large wooden crate that was behind her.
"Two boxes," said Natalie, "Whoever did this probably thought it was easier to cover up the original airway bill because they didn't count on the fakes being discovered."
"So you are saying they placed an airway bill over the one for here and sent it off to Sacramento?"
"Exactly," said Natalie.
"But there is no name on this one so who did it go to?" asked Kate feeling more and more puzzled.
"That is what I hope Alex will find out," said Natalie pulling out her cell phone and dialing Alex's number.