A shadowy figured appeared out of the night and crept to the side door. Seconds later
another shadow followed. The first shadow grabbed the small pouch hung on her belt.
"Merlin, are you sure about this?"
"Definitely, Phoenix, the security is on the inside. They don't care if you get in, but most
likely you won't be getting out." A beat of silence. "Unnnless you have me that is."
"Thank you for that assurance," said a very sarcastic British voice.
"Sorry,"squeaked Marshall, "Don't kill me."
Sydney quickly picked the lock, turned the handle, and the two hurried inside. Swiftly
moving down the hallway, they soon reached the desired room.
"I don't see the painting. I don't see any paintings."
"Anna must have gotten here first."
"Why would she take all of them? And how did she–" Sydney sniffed the air. "Do you
smell that?"
Sark lifted his nose and took a deep breath. "Paint. This room is being renovated."
Sydney took a deep breath for other reasons.
"Merlin, the Mona Lisa isn't here. The room is being renovated. Can you find the current
location?"
The sound of typing could be heard over their coms.
"It's been temporarily moved to room thirteen in the southwest wing and is awaiting the
morning transfer to restoration."
Room thirteen was so small that it held but one painting. The Mona Lisa. Sydney could
only stare. Though she had seen the painting dozens of times, just at that moment, the small
smile seemed so familiar. So small was the smile, in fact, that it could have been a...smirk.
Sydney turned her head and carefully regarded Sark. Sark's blue eyes considered her as
well. After a few moments, he cocked his head to the side and asked, "Is there a problem?"
Her thoughts interrupted, Sydney shook her head. "No, no there isn't." She spoke into her
com, "Merlin, is everything ready?"
"Blocking alarm frequency now," came the voice in her ear, "You have three minutes
before systems are back online."
Sark opened two very large knives and gave one to Sydney. As he cut inside the top and
right edges of the frame, she took the left and the bottom. As bad as she felt about
potentially defacing a famous work of art, there was no way they could have carried the
heavy frame around without getting caught. When the alarm sounded two minutes later, the
guards found the room completely empty.
Sydney and Sark climbed into the van in which Nadia and Weiss were waiting. Marshall
and Vaughn were in another van nearby. Dixon and Jack were currently on assignment in
Nepal with Sloane supervising.
"Let's boogey," Weiss said as he winked at Nadia. She smiled back. Sydney couldn't help
but smile herself. Sark remained impassive, though his blue eyes were clearly assessing the
pair.
"Your mother didn't tell me much about you, Nadia."
Nadia turned and leveled her gaze at him.
"Is that so?"
"Yes," continued Sark, "in fact, I quite by accident stumbled upon the knowledge of your
existence. I overheard Irina talking on the phone. She mentioned 'her daughter Nadia' and
'the passenger'. I was intrigued to say the least."
"And are you disappointed with what you found?" asked Nadia.
"On the contrary, I am even more intrigued."
Sydney was about to tell Sark to shut his mouth when, without warning, blue and red lights
could be seen flashing in the reflection of the side mirrors as the sound of a siren crept
closer.
