Chapter 14
Later that evening, Carmelita leaned her crutches against the nightstand in her room, tired and looking forward to sleep. She sat down on her bed, rubbing her tired arms. She frowned, knowing that she was going to grow to hate her crutches, but she knew she needed them nonetheless. "Oh, well...tomorrow's another day. I'll worry about it later," she told herself. She then laid back upon her bed, pulled her covers over herself, and in minutes was peacefully asleep, snoring gently.
Sly, meanwhile, was seated at the kitchen table, along with Bentley and Murray, polishing his cane. "So, Bentley old boy, any word of a new job in the works yet that merits the expertise of a Master Thief?" he questioned, none too humbly.
Bentley looked up from where he was working on his laptop. "At the moment...no. But, geez, Sly! In my most humble opinion, I think we should be lying low...what with the Inspector staying here with us. Don't you think?" he replied, still nervous about Carmelita staying with them.
Sly frowned at this, thinking. He had to agree with Bentley…but not for the same reason. He agreed, but only because he doesn't want to miss spending time with Carmelita, at least while she was willingly there with them. "Okay, agreed. But, Bent...I'm gettin' bored," he informed his friend.
Bentley nodded, then rapidly typed on his laptop a moment. He then looked up. "And, that fact worries me not just a little, Sly. Hey, I know! Didn't you say we needed food?" he suggested.
Sly felt his stomach rumble hungrily, and nodded. "Food, yes...definitely," he agreed.
Bentley nodded too, hungry as well. "Well, I suppose we would have no problem getting what we need from the local market. Although..." he began, only to frown, thinking. "...someone really needs to stay here, you know, with the Inspector, just in case." Bentley eyed Sly rather pointedly. "And, that person isn't you, Sly."
Sly opened his mouth, intending to protest, but Bentley cut him off before he could even start.
"C'mon, Sly…you know you're the one who's got to pull this off," Bentley told him succinctly. Sly frowned, not liking that he was right one bit, but reluctantly agreed.
Murray grinned just then, softly thumping the table with his fist. "Sly, I can do it! Besides, my hulking frame isn't going to help you or Bentley much now, is it?" the hippo proposed, smiling. "No, and Sly...it's only a quick walk from the market from here anyway. C'mon, Sly, I can do this," Murray added, pleading his case.
Sly thought about it, then nodded, though reluctantly. "All right, agreed. Just don't let her out of the house, chum. Okay?" Sly returned, giving Murray a grin.
Murray was pleased. "You got it, Sly! The Murray won't let you down," he promised.
Bentley chose to overlook "the Murray" remark. "Okay then, that's all in order," he finished. He then turned to Sly, who was frowning while he polished his cane. "Oh, and Sly...just one more thing," Bentley said, trying to be polite, but insistent.
Sly was puzzled, but smiled amiably, and looked to Bentley. "Yeah?" he replied.
Bentley looks apologetic and yet irritated simultaneously. "If you should stumble across Carmelita's sister, Carmen…do me a tremendous favor, would you, and don't start your flirting thing with her, please? She's dangerous, Sly...and she's not going to cut you any slack just because you're looking after her sister, understand?" Bentley pleaded, knowing Sly's natural tendency was to flirt with all the pretty ladies…especially the law enforcement types.
Sly sighed upon hearing this at first, then chuckled...giving Bentley a nod. "Gee, you never let me have any fun, Bentley. But, all right, I promise you, no flirting with Carmen. Satisfied?" he informed his technical advisor and friend.
Bentley nodded, happy. "Very Satisfied, Sly. We all know our roles...so let´s get this show on the road, people!" the turtle commanded.
Later on, Carmelita awoke during the night, blearily opening her eyes, wondering why she had woke up. A most familiar and insistent feeling within herself provided her the answer. Hmm, maybe it was all that pizza and water she had consumed for dinner, she guessed. Resigning herself to the inevitable call of nature, she sighed and sat up in her bed, reaching out to grab her crutches. "Oh, well...I guess it was bound to happen eventually. I have to go, and there's no Sly Cooper to help me," she grumbled softly as she put her feet down on the cool wood floor. She then got to her feet, leaning on her crutches. "Eh, who needs him anyway? I'm a big girl, I'm sure I can manage to use the bathroom all by myself," she told herself, chuckling. She moved herself on her crutches to the door, opened it, and began moving down the hall, in search of the bathroom.
Murray, the babysitter (ooh, would Carmelita hit the roof if she heard him say that! he thinks to himself with a grin), was watching his favorite superhero program on TV when he heard a soft series of thumps from upstairs. "Uh-oh. That's got to be the Inspector. The Murray had better find out what she's up to," he told himself, getting to his feet. He trotted up the stairs, only to come face to face with Carmelita on her crutches. He was puzzled at the sort of desperate look on Carmelita's pretty face. "Um, hello, Ms. Fox. What are you doing up so late?" he asked her politely.
Carmelita had to go before...but now she really has to go. After all, nature waited for no girl! But, be that as it may, she couldn't resist being a bit sarcastic. "Oh, I decided to take the fifty franc tour is all, Murray. You know, since the crowds have all gone home, you see..." she informed him, her voice dripping sarcasm…which was apparently all but wasted on the hippo before her.
Murray frowned, not realizing that there was a tour of their house. "A tour? Really?" he replied before realizing from her smile that she was kidding with him. He laughed softly, patting her on the shoulder. "Oh, you! You're funny, Inspector. Now, really..." he added, then stumbled to a halt, as he watches an agitated Carmelita move before every door down the hall, opening each and looking questioningly inside. "Um, are you looking for something, Ms. Fox?" he asked, not understanding what she was up to.
Carmelita grimaced at that...for she REALLY has to go now! "Look, Murray…that is you, right?" she began, then continued once the hippo nodded the affirmative. "Well, since your friend, Cooper, is out...undoubtedly stealing something again...my answer to your question would be an unqualified 'Yes'! I'm looking for the bathroom, Murray...and before I embarrass myself in this hallway!" she pleaded, nearly crossing her legs.
The Murray certainly knew how that felt! Though, that wasn't precisely the question he had thought he would hear. "Oh, that! You can't miss it, Ms. Fox…it's the second door on your left. Here, let me show you."
Carmelita thankfully followed the big hippo, and nodded politely as he opened the door and turned on the light for her. "Thanks a lot!" she called as she dashed inside...just in time! After the immediate crisis was past (;P), she found herself scolding herself for being polite to a criminal. Gee, she thought to herself, I must be getting soft from being here so long. Before you know it I'll be thanking that ring-tailed hooligan for his hospitality! Sheesh! Carmelita finished using the bathroom, pulled up her pants and flushed the toilet. After washing her hands, she crutched herself out of the bathroom with every intention of heading directly back to her slumber.
However, along the way back, she spotted a door that was partially open. Now, being a curious soul (aren't most detectives?), she decided to check it out. "Hmm, what have we here?" she mused softly, as she gently eased the door open with her crutch. She peered inside, then called out, "Hello? Anyone at home?" She was relieved there was no answer, so she headed inside, almost pulling the door closed behind her.
"Hmm, I'd better leave everything just like it is...wouldn't want any of Cooper's gang to think I'm padding around just like on of them, after all..." she cautioned herself. She looked quickly and astutely about the room, which was orderly, but far from tidy. The bed was made, though it was somewhat wrinkled, and the floor was picked up…well, for the most part. There were a few pictures on the wall, but they were small and it was rather dark in the room at the moment. There were a number of digital prints---face down---on the desk that took up the corner of the room. Carmelita couldn't help herself and was intrigued, so she continued her investigation. She saw a lone bookshelf, which sported books of all sorts, many of which were scattered about the room, as well as on the desk. But, one big brown book immediately caught her attention. Mostly because of the attention it seemed to of merited. All the other books were much used and dog-eared…except this one. This one stood proudly upon its shelf, dusted and pristine. Arching a curious eyebrow, Carmelita reached up and pulled the big book down, reading its title, which was done in gold leaf upon its spine. "'The Thievus Raccoonus'?" she mused aloud, thinking. "Hmm, seems to me that I've actually heard of this particular book somewhere. Ah, yes! That's it...this holds all the thievery secrets of the entire Cooper clan." Her eyes glittered as she eyed the book enviously, knowing that such knowledge would be enormously useful to her. However, she also knows that her looking at it would be akin to someone looking at her own personal diary, which she just can't do. Drat it! she grumbled. "So…this must be Cooper's room then," she told herself in a whisper. She then nodded her head, intrigued even further by that knowledge. As she scanned the rest of the room, she spotted something edging out from beneath Cooper's pillow. Hmm, it's a picture, of that she's sure. She shrugged, plucked the photo out from under the pilow, then turned over the picture. Her large brown eyes became even larger as she saw just who it was a picture of…herself!
Carmelita gasped, putting a hand over her mouth a moment in surprise. "Dios!" she muttered. The picture was a close-up of her own face, and she was laughing. She smiled as she remembered the event that had undoubtedly produced this picture. This photo had to of been taken from outside into her office. It must of been taken a few year back, back when she and Carmen had worked in the same department. But that was years ago, she told herself, as Carmen had been promoted, moving to a higher floor. Carmelita couldn't remember the last time she'd had the time to talk with her sister at work, her being so busy and all. She smiled, noticing that Carmen was with her in the photo, even if you could only see the back of her head. "Ah, I remember that day..." she murmured, her grin growing. Carmelita smiled, remembering the day all too well. She and Carmen were laughing because they had just pulled one prince of a prank on the most air-headed and vain constable at Interpol. Carmelita laughed softly again now, as she remembered. That guy was an admittedly rather handsome black panther fellow, and he had every girl---with the exception of Carmen and Carmelita---swooning over him. But, that had changed rather dramatically after both Carmen and Carmelita had exacted their revenge. Well, she thought to herself, let's just say he couldn't move down the corridor at work without somebody whistling the opening bars of the theme of 'The Pink Panther'! She laughed softly yet again, covering her mouth with her hand. "Oh my dear! Those were definitely the days..." she mused happily, reminiscing.
Sly Cooper stood in the open doorway of his room, grinning at the quietly laughing Carmelita. He looked at her, his eyes enjoying seeing his unknowing lady love with such a happy, winsome smile. He had been watching everything she'd been up to, managing to do so without being heard. "You know…" he mused in a soft suave voice. "That's one of my favorite pictures of you too, Carmelita. You have the most beautiful smile, you know."
Carmelita was shocked, embarrassed, maybe even mortified, to be caught at her snooping. She twisted around to confront him, almost losing her balance, and somehow managing to hurt her foot again in the process. "Sly!" she squeaked, then cleared her throat. "Er...I mean Cooper! Just how long have you been standing back there smirking?" she accused him, her breathing rapid.
Sly gave her his most charming smile, which caused her to blush even more! "Oh, I don't know...hmm, since you picked up that picture, I guess. This is my room after all...and it is rather late, you see," he told her, then he grinned rather mischieviously, adding, "Unless, you had something else in mind, of course, beautiful lady?" He crossed his arms, grinning at her.
Carmelita blushed furiously at his innuendo, furious…but unable not to notice how her pulse raced in her ears. "You wish, Cooper!" she railed at him, sticking out her tongue at him. She then realized what things looked like, and her anger evaporated. "Er, sorry about the snooping, Cooper. I guess I'm just curious by nature." She handed back the picture, and while he stowed it away, finally realized that the other photos around the room, the one that she couldn't see before, have something in common: they all are of her! "Um, Cooper? I know I'm photogenic…but, are all these of me? I mean, I'm flattered of course..." she teased.
Sly grinned rather nervously, actually blushing fiercely. "Um, er, well...most of them are, yes. Though..." he stammered, then tried to continue, but couldn't, his face now flaming.
Carmelita has to hide her laugh as he turned even redder.
Sly grinned awkwardly, then finished. "...some of them, ahem, only have parts of you, my lovely lady."
Carmelita's eyebrows flew up, but then she found herself growing suspicious. "Oh? Do tell? Such as...?" she demanded, fearing the worst, but hoping for the best.
Sly knew he was busted, but decided to gut it out, and see what her reaction might be. He picked two particular pictures off the wall, and handed them over to a very suspicious Carmelita. "Here you are, my love...these are my two personal favorites, actually..."
Carmelita frowned, but took the first one, looked down at it, then blinked rapidly in shock. "Cooper!" she cried, her brows furrowing in her displeasure.
Sly grinned mischieviously, the shrugged. "Well, is it my fault that you have such a lovely derriere, my dear? Hmm?" he challenged, leaning back against the wall.
Carmelita found herself blushing, flattered and furious all at the same time. "Voyeur," she accused, her nose wrinkling in her irritation. She looked down at the photo again. "Hmm, though, I do have to admit that it is a rather flattering picture," she reluctantly acknowledged. I knew buying those form-fitting jeans would get his attention, she told herself proudly…then she mentally gasped at her last observation. Since when did she buy her clothes to please Sly Cooper? She couldn't believe she just said that, and blushed even further, forced to turn away a moment to compose herself. A moment later, she turned back, her cheeks still rosy. "Okay, that's one. And, the other?" she asked, not even sure she really wanted to know what portion of her he had photographed. With a sigh, she beckoned him to hand over the other picture.
Sly handed it over to her, but in doing so, he took a precautionary step back away from her. "Well, as to that one," he began warily, rubbing the back of his neck, mentally scanning the room for places to escape.
Carmelita frowned, then turned the picture over. She clapped a hand over her mouth, her eyes going huge as she sees a close-up photo of her chest within her halter top. She stared daggers at the voyeuristic raccoon, giving Sly a furious glower. "Grr! Mister, you are so dead!" she declared, the fist that didn't contain the photo clenching tight. She reluctantly eyed the photo again, and arched an surprised eyebrow. "Um, not that you're any less dead, Cooper. But, did you, by chance, well, enhance this picture any?" she asked, not believing she actually did so!
Sly held up his hands, shaking his head furiously. "No! No way! That's a real picture of...er," he stammered. "Well, you know...your..." he tried again, but still no dice. "Ahem...that is…" Try as he might, he can't bring himself to actually say that word!
Carmelita blinked, staring at the picture. "The word you're looking for, buster, is my breasts. Yes, I'm a woman, I have them, Cooper. But...er, I guess...er, that is...I mean, are they really that large? I mean, really?" she felt a rush of heat bloom in her cheeks, blushing hotly, as pulled her jacket closed in front, hiding her chest from his view. "No! Don't you dare answer that, Cooper!" she growled, as she saw him begin to open his mouth to answer. She shook her finger at him, quivering with embarrassment, anger, and…well, excitement. Though, she would of rather plunged a dagger into her heart than admit such a feeling to that rogue, Cooper!
Sly wisely chose to snap his mouth shut, only to open it again to yawn. "So...Carmelita, my love, my Adorable One...do you think we can talk about this more tomorrow, hmm? I'm really tired," he managed to finish before he yawned hugely again.
Carmelita was surprised when she yawned too. By all rights, she should be absolutely furious with him! Just who does he think he is…taking those kind of pictures of her. Now, she admitted to herself, they were of her clothed and all, and…they were rather flattering photos all the same…but still! She yawned again, feeling exhausted. "All right Cooper. You're in luck. We'll talk tomorrow. But, I'm not through with you yet, buster! Not by a long shot!" she promised, then pivoted around, and clumped out on her crutches. "Good night," she muttered to him, "even though you don't deserve me saying so…"
"Pleasant dreams, dear girl," Sly replied, saw her ignore him completely, and then he grinned, blowing her a kiss, smiling at Carmelita's shapely back. "Good night, sweetheart!" he called out to her, not really expecting any reply. Well, Sly, he told himself, you put your foot in it now…big time! Eh, he counseled himself…tomorrow was another day, was it not? With that, he quickly readied himself for bed and was asleep in moments…