Chapter 6
The four weeks before Sly's upcoming birthday bash seemed to fairly whisk by in the seeming blink of an eye. Finally, on the day of Sly's actual birthday, Bentley and Murray found themselves feeling edgy and nervous…which was to be expected, as they now had to pick up their 'present'…the lovely Carmelita Fox!
Bentley nodded over at Murray, who went outside to start the gang's transport, the aging panel van. He then moved over to where Sly was playing in a most animated fashion on his GameCube. Bentley waited for his long-time friend to finish a level, then interrupted him. "Say, listen Sly…um, there's something we need you to do, okay?"
"Sure thing," Sly replied, smiling in anticipation. "And…that would be…what exactly?"
Bentley smiled at Sly's building interest. Maybe this present would be worth all the trouble then. "You don't need to do anything at all, buddy…except to stay inside here while we're out to pick up your present. I mean, we went to a lot of trouble, okay? So, we don´t want you to see us---and your present---and spoil everything."
"Hey, I've waited this long, Bent. I'll be patient," Sly replied with a grin. "Okay, I promise to stay inside," Sly said. "Happy?"
"Ecstatic," Bentley said, patting Sly on the shoulder. "You play your game, and have fun, pal. It is your birthday, after all. Now, Murray and I are headed out to get your gift, so we´ll be back in---say, about an hour give or take."
"Will do, Bent," Sly responded. "See you two soon."
Bentley lifted up his bag, and headed out to the waiting Murray in the van. Once inside the two drove a circuitious route to Carmelita's apartment home. The two then changed into their work clothes---all in black, head to toe. Bentley powered up his laptop, and gave the surrounding area a quick once over. Finally satisfied that they were safe for the moment at least, the pair exited the van, which they left prudently parked around the corner from the apartment.
The two stealthily made their way to both sides of Carmelita's front door. Bentley withdrew a small suction cup looking device and plugged it into a port in his computer. He placed the cup against the nearby window, reviewed the readouts on his computer, then sighed in relief. He typed quietly yet hurriedly a moment, then looked up to Murray, and nodded his head.
Murray nodded back, understanding that Bentley had deactivated the security system. He handed Bentley his set of lockpicks, and the turtle set to work on the six locks that secured the heavy metal sheathed wooden door.
After Bently had picked the last of the locks, he moved over to crouch beside his much larger friend. "Okay, pal," he whispered. "Let´s go over the plan again…one last time," Bentley said.
Murray nodded, a grin coming to his face.
Bentley turned his laptop so that they both could see it's screen. "First, I´ll make sure Carmelita is asleep. Then, whether she is or not, I'll make sure she will be by tagging her with one of my sleep darts. The soporific agent I use should put her out like a light for at least a couple of hours," Bentley explained patiently. He awaited Murray's acknowledgement, then continued. "Okay, then you collect her, and safely get her back to the van, and secured to the mattress we have in back. While you're doing that, I'll be making certain we left no fingerprints or disturbances behind, then I'll relock Carmelita's front door again. Got it?"
Murray nodded. "Sure thing, Bent. I understand."
Bentley then opened the door and the two tiptoed inside. Bentley pulled a red-lensed penlight flashlight from his belt and quickly worked the beam around. "All secure," he whispered, then indicated that Murray should follow him up the stairs that led to Carmelita's bedroom.
The two silently moved up the stairs, both of them practically holding their breaths with nervous tension. After all, here they were, a pair of thieves in the the very home of Interpol's most dangerous detective! After about five minutes, and then another minute to relax, they moved before Carmelita's bedroom door. "Okay, pal," Bentley whispered to Murray. "Let's start this operation…"
"Oh?" whispered a distinctly amused and feminine voice directly into an astonished Bentley's ear. "And what operation would that be?" She, whoever she was, then chuckled softly.
The two comically did a double take to look over and see Constable Kitty Petro, Carmelita's partner, grinning and crouched down beside them. Bentley gaped like a fish out of water, while Murray gave Kitty a nervous shy wave.
"Well well," Kitty mused quietly, "and whom do we have here?" She shook her brown-haired head in clever amusement. "Now, what would Carmelita say if she knew that two-thirds of the Cooper Gang were---at this very moment---in her own house?"
"She wouldn't like it?" Murray whispered, answering in his own nervousness. Both appeared to be nervous enough to have kittens, a sheen of sweat glittering on each of their faces.
She looked at the terrified duo, shook her head one more time, and smiled. "Relax, you two! I'm not calling the cops on you. After all, I'm one…and I don't mind."
"Y-Y-You´re not? But why?" Bentley asked softly.
"Nope!" Kitty replied. "Though, I am going to ask you just why you're here."
"Well, Ms. Petro," Bentley began…then proceeded to explain just why they were there, and how they intended to bring Carmelita to Sly's birthday party…as his present!
Kitty smiled wider and wider, finally ending up giggling quietly. "You guys are all right," she managed after finally stifling her giggles. "Take lots of pictures, okay? I'm dying to see them." She giggled again a moment, the reached into her pocket and pulled something out. She then handed the item to Bentley. "Here you go, these might prove very handy, I should think." The object was a pair of handcuffs, Interpol official handcuffs. "I mean, what if she wakes up before you're ready? This will be just the ticket to ensure that she can´t escape."
"Um, that is, you mean you´re just going to let us take her? Without a fuss or a fight?" Murray asked, gaping at her.
"Sure, why not?" Kitty argued, smiling…which unsettled the two thieves more than they cared to mention. "C'mon…Carmelita needs some time alone with your boss, Cooper, without her pointing her pistol at him. I have no problem at all with your plan, fellas. Now, I'm expecting her back by the end of the day after tomorrow. Don't disappoint me, okay?"
"Absolutely!" Bentley assured her.
Kitty yawned hugely, then got to her feet. "Treat her nice, guys…and I'll see you soon," Kitty said before she walked back to her bedroom.
"You know what, Bent? I kinda feel sorry for poor Carmelita," the kind-hearted Murray said. "I mean, look at all the partners she´s gotten, huh? That Neyla tried to send her to jail, and almost got her brainwashed in the process. Now, this Kitty just up and lets us kidnap her partner. What's up with that?"
"I hear you, pal. But, hey…look at it this way, at least our plan is still a go," Bentley nodded and silently pushed open Carmelita's bedroom door. He paused a moment, then moved forward toward her bed. He could see her lying in her bed, sleeping peacefully. He could finally see what Sly had told them again and again was really quite true: Carmelita---when she was sleeping, at least---looked like some sort of angel. With purpose---and not a little regret---he retrieved his hand crossbow, loaded a sleep dart, and silently cocked it. He then took precise aim, and fired. The small dart hit Carmelita in the shoulder, which made her start…but to all of their relief, she quickly fell into an even deeper sleep. Bentley sighed, and wiped the sheen of sweat from his forehead. He then waved Murray over, and motioned to the sleeping Carmelita.
Murray gently pulled back Carmelita's covers, and blinked at the sight of her in her black nightgown. Murray then eased his arms in behind her knees and gently turned her on to her back. He paused a moment to check that her chest still rose and fell regularly, then slid his other arm in under her slender shoulders. With a soft grunt he handily lifted the sleeping Inspector into his arms and held her close to his chest, careful to be sure that her brief nightgown didn't show off any more of her than need be.
Bentley led the way, being sure to wipe down any fingerprints or shoeprints before they made it to the front door. Murray then went out and stood crouched behind the rhododendron bushes as Bentley relocked the doors, and reinstated the home's security system once more. "C'mon, pal," he urged. "Let's get to the van. We need to get her to Madame Yuri's as quick as we can!"
They made it to the van quickly, and then Murray gently laid the deeply sleeping vixen on to the air mattress they'd brought along for that very purpose. He laid a blanket over her recumbent form, and then gently strapped her down so that she'd be secure for the ride downtown. Both friends nodded to each other on a job well-done, and then headed toward their rendezvous with Madame Sing at C'est Sing…
Fifteen minutes later, they were at the alley entrance to the shop, knocking softly and in a precise pattern. In a moment, the heavy metal door opened, light spilling out to reveal Yuri's pretty face and pleasing form. She smiled as they opened the sliding door to the van and revealed the sleeping Carmelita. "Ah, so here she is, at long last, hmm? I fear those pictures of her do her no justice at all, monsieurs. She is very lovely indeed. But, come…let us get the poor girl out of the chill and inside where it is warmer, yes?"
Murray unstrapped Carmelita and gently eased her into his arms once more. He then followed Yuri and Bentley inside the rear entrance of the store.
"This way, gentlemen," she urged, beckoning them to follow her. Yuri led them along the corridors until they were in her own private office. "Monsieur Murray? Kindly lay the good Inspector on the sofa, would you?"
Murray did as she bade him to, and laid her remarkably light form down on the plush red-cushioned sofa, making sure that the dark blue blanket covered the nightgown clad vixen.
"Merci," Yuri said to the big hippo, lightly touching his arm in thanks. She then gazed down at the sleeping Carmelita. "She is a lovely girl," Yuri observed, not being able to help herself, she brushed a wavy tendril of Carmelita's ebony tresses back out of her eyes. She then turned to the two, smiling happily. "Now, gentlemen…I'm afraid I'm going to have to ask you to leave me with her for a while," she said, running her fingers through Carmelita's mane one last time. "After all, a lady does need her privacy---does she not?---when she changes her clothes, yes?"
"Oh yes!" Bentley and Murray both replied, scandalized by the very idea of Carmelita…well, not in anything! "We'll be just outside, if you need us, Madame Sing."
Yuri smiled at the gentlemanly duo. "Of course," she said demurely, smiling. "I shall have my staff send you some refreshments while you wait. Some hot coffee and sandwiches I think. I shall call you when I am finished with her. Now, scoot!" She finished by teasingly hustling the two dears out so she could get to work. Once they were gone, Yuri studied Carmelita's fine features and shapely figure. "You, my dear, will look amazing! Tres manufique, yes? Yes, definitely…"
While the two black-clad gents cooled their heels in Yuri's salon, taking refreshments while they waited, Yuri got to work. She opened the closet in her office, and removed the plastic garment bag that contained the finished costume she had produced for the girl lying in her office. "Let us begin, yes, mon belle cheri?" she purred, her eyes full of purpose.
She removed the blanket over Carmelita, and shook her head at the shapely girl, understanding precisely why she could of attracted the attention of the famous ladies man, Sly Cooper. "I am afraid that I must embarrass you briefly, cheri," Yuri told her softly, soothingly…even though Carmelita was still sound asleep. She slipped Carmelita's nightgown up and over her head, then turned to work the closure of the garment bag. She first retrieved the costume's top, which she had designed to look very much like the one Carmelita usually wore, this one was black too, but had no zipper closure in front. Yuri quickly laid the top over Carmelita's torso, and set it in place, having to briefly turn her to secure the top in back.
"Merci. That looks very nice. Now, cheri…" Yuri continued, nodding at the snug fit of the top she had created. She now removed a pair of dark red smooth denim pants, ones that would hug the pretty Inspector's curved hips and narrow waist just so. With some effort, she was able to work the pants up each of Carmelita's legs, then snugged it up into place, securing the button closure and the zipper. She then threaded a black fabric belt through the pant's belt loops, and hooked it closed with the small buckle in front. Upon that buckle was a small figure of some sort. Yuri had done her research---both on Carmelita, as well as Sly Cooper---so, remarkably enough, the figure on the buckle was much akin to the raccoon emblem Sly Cooper used, but instead of the stylized masked raccoon head, there was a masked fox's head. And, where Sly's buckle was blue, Carmelita's was a red that complemented her fur nicely. That very same device was on the pendant that hung on the wide satin black ribbon that went around Carmelita's slender throat.
"Very nice. Very very nice," Yuri cooed to herself, more than a little pleased by how her client's attire was appearing. She then removed a dark red leather jacket, a color that matched both Carmelita's red-brown fur as well as the color of her snug jeans perfectly. Yuri knew from her experiences that if Carmelita were to stand on a rooftop, nary a soul woud see her because the dark red outfit blended seamlessly with her own coloration. Tres chic! she thought to herself proudly. She then unzipped the bottom of the garment bag, and retrieved a pair of black leather fingerless gloves, which she slipped on to Carmelita's slack slender hands. She then retrieved a pair of calf-hugging black dully polished boots and slipped them on her as well, one at a time.
"Perfect!" Yuri proclaimed softly, clasping her hands together in happiness. "Now…I have only to apply the finishing touches, cheri."
Yuri again reached into the bottom section of the garment bag, and retrieved a dark red fabric peasant's cap…one that matched the style Sly preferred. Yuri figured she'd wait to put that on last…as she'd have to pin the hat on to secure it to all that lovely black hair the girl had. Yuri eyed Carmelita's tresses enviously…finding her own dark blond hair paling in comparison. She then grinned and shrugged.
"Now…the capstone to my latest creation. An absolute must for the criminal elite, you see," she told the unconscious girl, as she retrieved the last item from the bottom section of the garment bag. She unrolled the swatch of black silk, then proceeded to apply the mask over Carmelita's large lovely eyes, positioning the eyeholes just so before she tied it in back. She then smiled, telling herself, "Yuri, you've done it again, you clever girl you." She placed the dark red cap on Carmelita's head, and then fished around for some bobby pins, with which she secured the cap to the girl's head at a rakish angle. "Perfect!"
She admired her newly clad client one last time, then headed for the door. She opened it, seeing Bentley and Murray nervously sipping black coffee. "Please, gentlemen…would you care to see what I have created?" she said, beckoning for the two of them to come inside, which they did, very much curious. "Now, monsieurs…what do you think?"
Murray and Bentley moved inside and finally saw Carmelita in her new outfit. Both of them were amazed, jaws dropping in surprise and delight. "Amazing," Bentley breathed softly. "I've got to hand it to you, Madame Sing…you really know how to create outfits like no other."
"You are much too kind to say so," Yuri replied demurely, then grinned, her green gold eyes twinkling. "But…privately, I could not agree more." She gently ran a finger fondly over the sleeping Carmelita's cheek, then motioned to her gentlemanly company. "Well, I have finished my end of our agreement. Now, it is up to you two to deliver my creation to the birthday boy…"
As Murray lifted Carmelita up into his arms again, Bentley nodded to Yuri. "Yep, definitely time to get the 'present' to its intended recipient," Bentley said. Murray responded whit a small satisfied smile, and a grunt as he moved outside to deposit Carmelita back inside the Cooper Gang's van.