First Person POV (Kaira)
You know, when I was younger and naive, I thought I would live in a mansion with my Prince Charming. We'd have all these animals, and I'd bask in the glory of having all this power and money, and a man who loved me.
And now I'm a thief with a Southern Cowboy as a husband, living above a restaurant my partners and I own, plenty of money, I mean I'm a thief, come on, and happier than ever. And I was.
When I wasn't conning a sleazeball billionaire, or stealing the wallet of a guard to get the keycard to open the door to the server room, I was at the bar, pouring drinks, chatting up the customers, Eliot in the kitchen. And it was good. I was good. We were good. Eliot and I were the best we'd been. It was never boring. Well, I mean, Eliot is never boring in bed, if you know what I mean. But there was something inside the back of my head telling me something was missing. I couldn't quite place it though.
But, before I could figure it out, Nate got us a client. I was pouring drinks at the bar with Nate as he came in. His name was Kyle Davis. And he told us his story. I poured him a draft beer and sat it in front of him as Nate was right beside me.
"I just figured a guy like you would have, I don't know, an office or something." Kyle said.
I chuckled and looked at Nate.
"Oh, yeah, tried it once. Had trouble keeping it in one piece." Nate said, wiping his hands with a towel.
"You mean twice." I jumped in, chuckling.
"Anyway, this place has got some perks. Chef's pretty cute." I said, smiling as I looked back to see if Eliot was in the kitchen, and I couldn't.
"Secretary? Business cards?" Kyle questioned.
"Gabe Erickson got one of those?" Nate asked.
"Yeah. Well, you got me there." Kyle said.
I grabbed the tablet that was beside Nate and pulled up our target's mugshot and police file.
"This the guy?" I asked Kyle, showing him the mugshot.
"Gabe Erickson. I mean, this wipes me out back east. I spent 14 months looking for a job, and, finally, a buddy of mine sets me up over here at Eagle Cove, and - boom - there he is." Kyle said.
"You sure it was him?" Nate asked.
"Mr. Ford, Mrs. Spencer, me and my brother started our landscaping business over 20 years ago with a borrowed truck. But we worked it. Every hour, every day. My wife, she did the accounts. And on the weekends, we'd always have this big barbecue, you know? And we'd let our kids wash the trucks. Course they're just running around with the hose, screaming. And we would just watch them, you know? And we knew that we had built something that was gonna last. Gabe Erickson looked me in the eye, swore he'd take care of my family's money, and then he stole it. So, yeah, I'm sure." Kyle explained, and I can't help but feel bad for him.
"Now, Erickson - he was arrested a year ago on $130 million stock scam, right?" Nate questioned.
"He hasn't even been tried yet." Kyle said.
"So, what's he doing at a golf course three days ago, hiding behind bodyguards?" Nate asked.
I knew the answer. We wrapped up the conversation with Kyle Davis and left.
Something that Kyle said, about building something that'll last, letting the kids wash the trucks, it stuck to me. I had images of mine and Eliot's kids running around his beloved orange Challenger, spraying water everywhere, probably Eliot grabbing the hose and spraying me with it, cause while he doesn't show it often around the team, but he can be a little shit when he wants to be.
And those images brought happiness. So I was left with one question; What if kids are the thing that's missing? But I don't know how to talk to Eliot about it just yet.
Before I overwhelm myself with figuring that out, I meet the team at the briefing room. Hardison pulled up security cam footage from the golf course. We were all sitting at the table. Me beside Eliot, then Sophie, then Nate, then Parker, then Hardison, standing at the end.
"I got the security camera footage from Eagle Cove's parking lot." Hardison said.
Eliot and I both knew who was escorting Erickson to his car.
"Those guys are Federal Marshals. Hardison, zoom in on that gun right there." Eliot said.
"A Glock 23, .40 caliber. Standard issue weapon for Marshals. Nice one babe." I smile a bit at Eliot, and he smiles back.
"Erickson's in the Witness Protection Program? How did he rate that?" Sophi asked.
"I don't have all the information just yet, but it looks like, in addition to the stock scam, he's been laundering money for the Mafia, including Don Paolo Brancato, the head of the New York Mafia." Hardison said.
"Yeah, he and my uncle currently have a gentlemen's agreement about New York. My uncle's got the south, and Brancato rules the north." I add.
"Erickson doesn't strike me as a mob guy." Eliot said.
"Because he's not. No, he establishes mob ties as a get-out-of-jail-free card. If the day ever comes that the S.E.C discovers his stock fraud…" Nate explained.
"He'll trade his mob records for immunity and a new identity. Sweet!" Parker said.
We all looked at her.
"I mean, evil and clever, but bad." Parker said.
"Yeah, I don't know how many times some businessman approached my uncle about laundering money or putting money in accounts, and it was a free pass if they got caught. That was a huge no-no in my family." I pointed out.
Surprisingly, no one really reacted to that.
"I just found this out, of the $130 million, $50 million's missing. They say Erickson stashed it right before his arrest. And found this WitSec memo dated two days ago. Apparently, being recognized on a golf course is a low-level breach of security." Hardison explained.
"They're gonna move him." Eliot said.
"Transfer papers are for Friday." Hardison said.
"Yeah, so it's less than a week with that Marshal hanging all over him." Nate said.
"And the mob out there, looking for him. I mean, if the guy's careless enough to be found by his own victims, then they're not gonna be far behind." Sophie said.
"Okay. So, first, we split up. Now we don't know enough about this guy to run a job on him, so we got to find out what we can. This Gabe Erickson - he must be employed somewhere." Nate said.
We made a plan. Eliot, Sophie, and I were gonna handle that.
"Second, we need the hook. What does this guy want?" Nate asked.
Hardison pulled up a list.
"Look at the items confiscated after his arrest. There's high-end art, properties all over the world, vintage cars - all seized and sold at government auction for pennies on the dollar. Somewhere in there is the thing he loves that's been taken away forever." Sophie realized.
"Okay. Hardison, Parker, you're on that." Nate said.
Third Person POV (Later that day)
Eliot was in the drivers seat of his orange Challenger, Kaira passenger, and Sophie was in the back as they followed Erickson to his job at a library. Eliot and Kaira went in and saw people paying for wi-fi. Erickson was a bit of a dick. Eliot took his picture.
Meanwhile, Hardison and Parker found his house and Hardison tapped into his DVR. Hardison found out that he watched a bunch of car restoration shows and soap operas. Parker grabbed his trash. Hardison wasn't happy.
So at the brewpub, Hardison got stuck with going through the garbage. Nate pointed out that Erickson went from home to work. And Sophie added that the government had him on a short leash. Hardison said he was basically in jail already, and that WitSec is like the ninth circle of Hell for guys like him. And them. Hardison then asked if Nate could go back to being John Q and not go insane if he had to give it up. Nate didn't give a straight answer, saying he didn't think beyond the job that's in front of them, adding he didn't have the luxury to do that. Sophie didn't like that.
Hardison then found boxes of model cars Erickson built. Nate put together that he was a car collector. Sophie remembered that Erickson had a dozen vintage cars when he was arrested. Hardison pointed out the car shows on his DVR. Nate then figured out the hook. They'd create a rare-car competition in Portland with tents and trophies, and a Packard 1934 Original 1101 Roadster Coupe, also known as the "Motor City Mussolini".
Hardison took that opportunity, leaving. Nate pulled back up Erickson's mugshot. Sophie said she didn't like the smug look on his face. Nate agreed, saying it was like he had a $50 Million backup plan, saying to steal it. Nate drove to Erickson's place of work in a 1953 Nash-Healey. Nate talked up Erickson about the car and told him about the car show and gave him a card.
First Person POV (Kaira)
Well, here I am, stealing a classic car from some guy with my husband and best friend. What a life I'm living. We were sitting at the edge of the driveway in front of some bushes. Eliot and I were wearing hoodies and had our hoods up. And yes, I was wearing Eliot's hoodie. What's marriage if you don't steal your man's clothes, I mean, come on. I heard Nate finish up with Erickson.
"Hardison, how we doing with the competition?" Nate asked over comms.
"Competition's all set, Nate." Hardison reported.
"All set? Already?" Nate questioned.
"Hey, easier done than said, man. Craigslist. One simple ad, and these rare-car guys will flock to any empty lot just for a peek at a vintage carburetor." Hardison said as I heard the door.
Eliot and I looked to see the owner leaving.
"Owner's heading out of town." Eliot said.
"He won some trip - all expenses paid to Bora-Bora." Hardison said.
"He's a lucky man." Eliot added.
The car door opened.
"Lucky bastard." I added, smiling.
We then saw the car leave.
Third Person POV
Parker, Sophie, and Nate were back at the office. Parker pointed out that Erickson had $50 million, and why he didn't just buy one. Nate said that back in the day, there was a legend among car collectors, a luxury lost car. Sophie continued the story saying that the Packard Coupe was the limousine of the rich and famous.
Nate said there were 30 left, but one was special. It fell off the grid just before WW2, and was owned by Benito Mussolini. Parker questioned if the one they found in Sacramento was the right one, but Nate said it wasn't, and it was the next best.
First Person POV (Kaira)
Eliot got his truck in the driveway and the trailer ready.
"Eliot, kiddo, did you get it yet?" Nate came over comms.
Eliot got out of the truck. Something about Eliot and trucks, man.
"There's 18 hours until competition. We got 10 hours between here and Portland." Eliot complained as we walked up to Hardison, who was on his tablet.
"Yeah, and about half a dozen security systems to disarm. And that's just on the car itself." Hardison said.
Nate kept talking about the car, saying it was the golden fleece, with Sophie adding that car collectors can't stop looking for it. Then they went into the con.
Basically, we convince Erickson that the Packard is the legendary one, he'll pay an arm and a leg for it, and dip into his stash to pay for shipping, Hardison traces the money.
Eliot and I went to get the garage open.
"Oh, hey, hey, hey." Hardison stopped us.
"What?" I look at him.
Hardison gave a nod and Eliot opened the garage door.
The car was nice.
"No way am I giving up this life to be an ordinary person." Hardison said.
I chuckled a bit.
"Did you talk to Parker about that?" Eliot asked him.
"What do you mean - why would I - no, she's the least ordinary person I know - you know. Shoot." Eliot and I both gave Hardison a look.
"Wait. Do I have to talk to her about stuff like-" Hardison questioned.
"Yeah." Eliot and I both cut in.
"Cause I-" Hardison said.
"She's your girlfriend, you gotta talk to her about this type of shit, man." I about hit Hardison upside the head.
Hardison's scanner beeped.
"You know what? Just forget it. Let's get to work." Hardison said, heading inside the garage.
Before I followed Hardison, this idea was in my head. I looked at Eliot, who saw the look on my face.
"I won't be able to just stop doing this. Slowing down, I could handle. But giving this all up?" I told Eliot.
"You sure that's what you want?" Eliot asked me.
Before I could answer, Hardison interrupted.
"Hey, lovebirds! Move ya asses!" Hardison yelled.
Eliot and I head into the garage. I couldn't tell if Eliot's answer meant he agreed with me, or if he wanted something different. And having a 10-hour road trip ahead of us probably meant I wouldn't get an answer yet.
Third Person POV
The next day was the competition. And as expected, Erickson showed up with the Marshal. Sophie and Parker faked a conversation to gain Erickson's attention. Nate distracted the Marshal and ended up getting choked a bit for his trouble. Parker sold the story to Erickson. Parker took Erickson and got ready to head to the barn. Nate asked Hardison if things at the barn were ready.
First Person POV (Kaira)
Well, as expected, I never got to talk to Eliot during our 10-hour road trip back to Portland. And it was kinda awkward. But I didn't have time to show it, cause we weren't totally ready yet. I was helping unload tools from Eliot's truck.
"Not exactly. The freeway was like a classic car parking lot. Thought somebody was gonna try to race us for pinks." Hardison said as we went into the barn.
I saw Eliot spraying dust on the hood.
"Okay, well, we got less than five minutes to turn a car that looks brand-new into the old relic that Erickson is coming to see, or we are blown." Nate said.
"Got it, Nate." I groaned as I coughed the dust.
I gave Eliot a look, and he gave one back. The three of us worked hard to age the car. Taking the gas out of the tank, spraying cobwebs on the tires, dusting the car, letting air out of the tires. We cut it close.
After we got the cover on the car, Eliot all but ran to the truck.
"Let's go!" Eliot yelled at us.
Hardison went to grab the gas cans.
"Thanks for the help. Appreciate it." Hardison groaned as I helped him.
I helped Eliot with the trailer. We peel out of the driveway.
Third Person POV
Parker showed Erickson the car, which he was into. Nate cued Parker to give more history. She mentioned the palace, intriguing Erickson more. Nate told Parker to drop more Italian names. Sophie told Nate that Parker had it handled, saying the trick is knowing when to leave the party. Nate asked when it ends.
Sophie said Erickson could tell him. She said it was sometime before you lose everything you showed up with. Nate said he showed up to the party empty handed, saying he met a nice girl, and if he played his cards right, but Sophie stopped him. She told him that the reason he can't look into the future is because he's still motivated by the past. Sophie also dropped that she hoped one day, with or without her cause it doesn't matter, he could put it all behind him. Sophie left.
Back at the barn, Parker still was selling the story to Erickson. Erickson offered to buy it. Erickson said he'd go home and do more research and come back. Nate said they bought themselves a few hours, and told Hardison to start dropping breadcrumbs, and Sophie, Eliot, and Kaira to distract the Marshal.
First Person POV (Kaira)
So with Nate's order, we drove back to Erickson's house and saw the Marshal was there. And Sophie had a plan. So, we walked up to the door and rang the doorbell. Sophie held a fruitcake on a tray. The Marshal opened the door.
"Hello." I introduced myself, putting on the most obnoxious accent I could.
"How you doing?" Eliot asked.
"We moved in a few doors down. I'm Marcie McElroy, this is my husband Barry, and that's my sister-in-law Frannie." I introduced us.
"We're the McElroys." We say at the same time, though I knew Eliot wasn't pleased with me.
"Is your husband around? We heard that you two are just so sweet." Sophie asked.
"Let me ask you a question. What kind of security system are you guys using? Cause you never can be too careful these days." Eliot said.
The Marshal was flustered and confused.
"Okay, you know what? This really isn't a good time. So if you three could come back another t-" The Marshal shut the door, but Sophie kept it opened.
"Oh! Before I forget. We baked you a fruitcake. Just a little something to say thank you for letting us join your neighborhood!" Sophie gave the Marshal the fruitcake as the door was shut.
I saw Eliot smile a bit. Sophie checked out the peephole to make sure the Marshal left and threw the cake away, and I kinda feel bad for Eliot, as he made the cake.
"They always throw out the cake, but they keep the tray." Sophie told Eliot.
We made it back down to the car.
Third Person POV
Parker and Hardison were in the van, listening to the conversation inside the house, since the tray had a bug on it. The Marshal wasn't happy with Erickson not reporting in. Hardison told Parker he guessed that's what retirement was like, easing into that talk. Erickson was bitching about having to go from work and home and felt smothered.
Hardison added about being up in each other's business 24/7. Parker said she could never retire, then asked Hardison if he wanted to, which Hardison said he didn't. Quickly, they realized they were on the same page. And then Hardison realized that Eliot told Parker, and Parker said he was flailing a bit.
Then the Marshal said to Erickson about Eliot, Kaira, and Sophie's visit. Erickson went to leave to go to his job. Hardison followed in the van to Ericksons job and got wired into his laptop and phone. Hardison reported that Erickson was looking at the car and doing his research.
Back at HQ, Nate said that Erickson was making sure the car's been in the barn since the war. Hardison got it covered. Hardison then said Erickson was calling the grandaughter of Mussolini's custom coach maker, which Sophie played, speaking Italian.
Then Hardison reported that Erickson was calling someone he knew. Erickson then called Parker. Nate told Hardison to let them know as soon as Erickson accessed the accounts.
First Person POV (Kaira)
Eliot was in the driver's seat of his Challenger, I was passenger seat, and Sophie was in the back.
"I'm thinking $550,000, $600,000." Sophie guessed.
"No way. $300,000, maybe $400,000." Eliot guessed.
"Hey, guys. It looks like Erickson's bringing a bag of money to the barn. By the size of the bag, I'd say it's got a couple hundred thousand tops." Hardison said over comms as Sophie gave Eliot a look, not happy he was right, though I just chuckled.
"But I've been monitoring every move he's made for the last 24 hours, both physically and virtually. He didn't access any accounts to get that money." Hardison reported over comms.
"Can someone please tell me how a witness in Federal Protection gets his hands on a couple hundred thousand dollars, we don't know about it?" Nate asked over comms.
I go through my memory and realize the answer.
"God dammit." I grabbed Eliot's phone out of his pocket and pull up the picture he took and showed it to Sophie.
"He's selling people free internet for five bucks at the bookstore. It's the parking lot scam." I realized as Eliot grabs his phone back and puts it back in his pocket.
"That's old school." Sophie added.
"Yeah, I bet he's been running dozens of the same scam for the last 10 months. Hardison, here's what I need you to do immediately - go over to that barn. I want you to play a rival bidder, okay? We need that guy to access those secret accounts. Eliot, Kaira, Sophie, you stay with the Marshal. Do whatever you have to do to keep her dialed in." Nate ordered us.
We made a plan.
Third Person POV
Parker told Erickson about the rival bidder. Then Hardison came in, holding a measuring tape, playing the rival bidder.
Then Eliot drove by, with Kaira giving a wave as they drove by.
Hardison played an artist who wanted to destroy the Packard to make sculptures. That didn't sit well with Erickson, with Hardison dropping the names of cars Erickson owned. Erickson brought up the price, getting upset. Hardison would counter, raising the price. Erickson raised to $750,000 and Parker sold it.
Hardison then made it back to the van and listened to the phone call, reporting that Erickson was leaving a recording on an internet voicemail, explaining that it was like a dead drop, and that Erickson's bank manger would access the recording so there's no direct link. Hardison said he could track the I.P address, but until he had a bank location, the passwords Erickson gave were useless. Then Erickson called Nate about shipping his car.
First Person POV (Kaira)
I don't know what part's more embarrassing. The fact that Sophie, Eliot, and I were pretending to be assassins or the fact that we're playing them really bad. I mean, Eliot had a damn ax over his shoulder, and I had a couple of shovels over my shoulders as we were walking out of the hardware store. And Sophie had garbage bags and was lining the trunk of Eliot's car with them.
"She there?" Sophie asked us.
Eliot and I spotted her car.
"Yeah, she's in the back of the parking lot, watching us like a hawk." Eliot pointed out.
"Are we being suspicious enough?" Sophie asked.
Eliot and I both gave her a look as Eliot handed her the ax.
"This is just insulting." I commented as Sophie grabbed the ax.
"Nevermind." Sophie said as she put the ax in the trunk.
Eliot was loading up the shovels as Sophie played with the gloves.
"So, what do you think you're gonna do after all this is done?" Sophie asked us.
"Always wanted to open up my own restaurant. Now I'm probably gonna get stuck making sure Hardison's doesn't go out of business." Eliot grabbed a big bag to throw in the trunk.
"Throw a couple of drunks out every once in a while. Maybe the place will get robbed once a year." Eliot said, putting the last of the bags in.
I can't help but smile a bit. Eliot then looked at me.
"If Kaira's up to it, maybe even have a kid or two, name 'em after her parents. Probably drive us crazy, but it'd be worth it." Eliot said.
I'm honestly too shocked to say anything back, though I know I should. The only thing I can think of to do is squeeze Eliot's arm. I wasn't expecting Eliot to say he wanted kids. I mean, yeah we've been talking about it, we've been preparing for it, but we never actually talked about the "having" part yet. And it kinda scared me.
Though, before I spiraled too much, Sophie grabbed the rope, distracting Eliot.
"Don't use that." Eliot said.
Sophie hummed in confusion.
"For future references, you can chew right through it." Eliot said.
I can't help but chuckle as Sophie put the rope in the trunk. Sophie leaned on the cart.
"Any other tips from back in the day, when you used to…" Sophie mimed cutting her throat. "People?" Sophie asked.
Eliot just shut the trunk as we got in the car.
And once again, the drive was awkward. I was still processing the idea that Eliot wanted kids. It's not like I didn't want kids. We talked about it, but it wasn't the right time yet. I guess I was trying to figure out the answer to the question if I was ready, and if it was a good time.
We ended up in this field. Eliot and I were digging a hole to make it look like a grave. Sophie was standing by the trunk. It was getting late. The sun had set. And I know I was a sweaty mess. Though seeing Eliot's white sleeves rolled up and hair half up looked nice.
"After sunset, this field is gonna be completely dark. No clear sightlines from the road. First thing to find a body out here would be a coyote-" Eliot explained as Sophie cut him off.
"Okay. Now I'm scared." Sophie said.
Eliot and I both looked at Sophie.
"I'm here, Kaira's here." Eliot said.
"Eliot, you're what's scaring me." Sophie said.
Eliot shook his head and we went back to digging.
"So, just for augment's sake, which one of us do you think would cope better? You know, with being an ordinary person? You know, without going… mad?" Sophie asked.
"Me." Eliot said.
I agreed.
"Really? Cause, um… well, you know, I was thinking me." Sophie said.
"It's me." Eliot argued.
I chuckled. I looked at Sophie.
"Sophie, you tried that, remember? Chicago? Nate found you, and you came right back when he called. You like the grift, it's what makes you happy." I looked at Eliot.
"Eliot, you would go crazy if you couldn't do this job. Maybe you would work security at some club somewhere, and it'll scratch the itch, but you'd come right back." I told Eliot.
"I'd go crazy, sweetheart, because I wouldn't be with you." Eliot said.
I smile a bit.
"But I think it would be me. I mean, I almost had normal. Well, normal to me at least. I always thought when I was a kid that I'd be living in a mansion, married at 18, my mob boss husband next to me, running the family business, all the money, and power I wanted. And I nearly had that. I was about to be engaged, and after I graduated, I was gonna run the family business. But then I lost them, and I realized I didn't want that. Because in the end, the things I wanted, meant nothing. That's when I broke it off with Brian and left." I hide the shame on my face.
But then I smile and look at Eliot.
"Now I'm living the dream." I said.
I could tell Eliot wanted to comment, but I signaled to drop it. We kept on digging.
Third Person POV
Nate was at the warehouse ready to do the meet. He told Parker and Hardison to get there as soon as they could. Hardison said they were on their way. Nate tried dialing Erickson again, leaving a voicemail.
First Person POV (Kaira)
Well, the grave had been dug, and Eliot and I got out. Sophie groaned and stretched.
"I'm tired." Sophie whined.
Eliot and I looked at her.
"You're tired? Must be all this fresh air you're breathing." Eliot questioned her, a bit out of breath.
"Woman, we just dug this big ass hole." I argued.
We then heard police sirens. I quickly looked to see if the Marshal was there, but I couldn't find her.
"Where's the Marshal? You see her?" Eliot asked.
It didn't take long to figure out what was going on.
"Shit! They're coming for us. Move your asses!" I ordered Sophie and Eliot as we put the shovels in the trunk.
"Nate, Marshal Rose called the cops. They're on their way to us now." Sophie reported as Eliot and I get in.
Eliot peeled out of the field.
Third Person POV
Nate asked what the Marshal knew and wanted to know if their covers were blown. When he got no response, Nate then asked if anyone knew where the Marshal was. Just then, the Marshal came up to Nate, pointing a gun at his face. Nate then got handcuffed to a chair on wheels. The Marshal accused Nate of setting up the hit. Nate acted like he didn't know what she was talking about.
Then Erickson came, also confused. Marshal Rose said about the three hitmen he hired to have her killed. Erickson had no idea what Marshal Rose was talking about. Nate asked for a little help. Eliot came over comms, yelling he was a bit busy trying to shake the cop cars. Hardison said he and Parker were coming.
Erickson asked how the Marshal found him, and she said she activated his GPS tracker and followed him. Erickson scoffed, which pissed off Marshal Rose, questioning that he was pissed at her, and added she could gun Erickson down for plotting to kill a Federal Marshal. Erickson yelled that no one was plotting to kill her. Nate butted in, saying all Erickson did was pay for the vintage car and asked him to ship it overseas, and to let him go.
Marshal Rose got more pissed, punching Erickson, yelling that she didn't sell out the Marshals Service so he could throw away all of their planning on a car. Erickson said that Marshal Rose, who he called Ellie, wasn't the one in control, he was since the moment she agreed to get him out of the country after he testified. Marshal Rose said she agreed for $5 million.
Parker realized why they hated each other. Marshal Rose went on, saying the payday was two years from now, and that Erickson couldn't go 10 months without screwing something up. Nate butted in again, saying Erickson got terrific valuation on the car. Erickson said thank you as Marshal Rose yelled for him to shut up. She then said that the government was gonna find the money, waiting for him to screw up so they could get the money. She then pointed the gun at Erickson, asking what he was gonna do then.
Erickson chuckled, saying she wasn't gonna shoot him because it'll make her look like she screwed up the biggest assignment of her life. Nate added about the $5 mil. Marshal Rose then put the gun on Nate, saying she was gonna shoot him. Nate was confused, and Erickson asked why. Marshal Rose said so they could fake Erickson's death and get out of the country so she could get paid. She added that a mob dentist she protected would fake the dental records, and they'd burn Nate's body. Erickson liked that plan.
Nate got nervous. He then talked barely a whisper for Eliot, Sophie, and Kaira to hurry and to bring the cops. Erickson asked what he was mumbling about. Nate then got Hardison's attention. Parker said they'd be there soon. Nate told them to bring an orange soda. Hardison argued, saying he couldn't dip into his stash. Parker argued back, saying to just bring Nate a soda. Hardison gave in.
Nate then played therapist, saying he knew how difficult it was for someone to change their nature. He said that Marshal Rose and Erickson were in a transitional period. Erickson noted that Nate picked up on it. Nate said some advice he'd gotten, saying it's hard to move forward and be happy until you stop looking to the past.
Erickson told Marshal Rose to give him the gun, saying he'd shoot Nate himself. Marshal Rose told him to stop, hearing the sirens. Erickson wasn't listening. Marshal Rose yelled for Erickson to shut up, and that the cops were coming because he couldn't keep his hands off his wallet. Nate butted in again, saying she couldn't be mad at him for something that happened yesterday. And what they needed to be thinking about is what's gonna happen next. Sophie asked for a recording of the conversation, getting looks from Eliot and Kaira.
Nate then said the cops might be outside, but they still have a moment to plan the getaway. Hardison and Parker arrived, spotting company. Hardison warned Nate he wouldn't believe who showed up.
It was the mob. Specifically, Don Paolo Brancato, and he was headed Nate's way. Eliot reported he saw the warehouse, but they'd be a couple more minutes. Marshal Rose yelled for everyone to shut up so she could think. Erickson didn't know what good that was gonna do. Nate pointed out that if the cops came in, they might want to make it less obvious they had a hostage. Erickson said it wasn't a bad idea, but Marshal Rose objected, saying she could say she arrested him, and started yelling as Brancato revealed himself, guns drawn.
Erickson asked how he found him. Brancato revealed that Erickson called a friend of theirs, Charlie. Marshal Rose wasn't happy. But then Brancato said he traced Erickson's phone. Erickson told Brancato to put the guns down, but Erickson fell on the bag of cash, firing a round, causing everyone to go into cover, allowing Nate to escape.
Soon a shootout happened. Luckily, Hardison pulled Nate back to cover and Parker picked his handcuffs. Nate grabbed the soda bottle and dumped it. Hardison asked what he was doing, saying it was the good stuff imported from Mexico. Nate then filled the bottle with vegetable oil. Sophie reported that the cops were at the north side, and the south entrance was gonna be cleared in 10 seconds, and Kaira and Eliot came from behind, knocking the two goons out. Sophie said to make it five.
The shootout was still happening. Nate made a plan as he topped off the two liter bottle. Parker asked if it'll work, Hardison asked what. Nate explained that lots of cars in the '30s were diesel, so they'd run on vegetable oil. Nate plan was to fuel up the Packard and try to escape. Hardison didn't like the plan, saying they'd have to cross a gunfight and pray the Packard is bulletproof like the batmobile.
Just then a bullet ricocheted, getting Hardison to move his ass. The trio made their way to the Packard. Nate filled up the Packard as Erickson negotiated, saying he had $50 million in the Caymens. Nate tried to get the car started as tried to get Hardison to find the bank. Hardison told him to get the car started, worry about the stash later. Nate eventually got the car working and drove it through the gunfight and nearly ran over Erickson. Sophie, Eliot, and Kaira joined him as they opened the warehouse door and made it out.
First Person POV (Kaira)
Well, that went to shit fast. Erickson was arrested. But we still had some business to take care of. At the car show, Nate and I met with Brancato.
"You actually put all this together?" Brancato asked us.
"We handed out the trophies yesterday, but these people, they-they just won't leave." Nate said.
"You asked to speak with me, Mr. Ford, Ms. Newton, so let's speak." Brancato said.
Nate gave me the okay to talk.
"First, I want you to know that I have no intentions of breaking our family's truce treaty. And I'm sorry about the guys we beat up. Our plan was to con Erickson to get him to access his $50 million dollar stash and we were gonna distribute it to his victims." I explained.
"I have no claim on that money. And I don't believe I wish to pick a fight with a man such as yourself and a woman like Ms. Newton… if I can avoid it." Brancato agreed.
I nodded, showing the agreement on my side.
"What about the Marshal?" Brancato asked.
"I'll take care of her." Nate said.
Let's just say we knew traveling to Canada with a bag of cash wasn't gonna look good.
"There is one other thing I'd like to ask of you, and that is that you or any of your associates leave Erickson alone in prison." Nate offered.
"Out of the question. I need Erickson dead." Brancato said.
"Well, no. No, you just need him quiet, really. He was picked up by the police. His Marshal's gone rogue. He's losing his immunity as we speak. He's gonna stand trial for his financial infractions and go to jail for a very long time. Let him live and enjoy it." Nate explained.
Brancato thought about it for a minute.
"You know, my organization, in its original and purest form, was law enforcement. Neighborhoods where the police didn't have the ability to enforce the law." Brancato explained, and Nate and I showed we agreed.
"Mm. There was a purpose. They were trying to build something." Nate added.
"We lost sight of that." Brancato said.
"Well, we can all be better, huh?" Nate said.
I chuckled a bit. After we all agreed to the deal, we left.
Third Person POV
At the bar later that night, Nate gave Kyle Davis the money from the stash. Nate escorted him out. He saw Sophie sitting at the bar.
Hardison came up to Nate, saying the car was right back where they found it. Hardison tried to sum up the con. Hardison said that Nate knew that the Mussolini car would drive Erickson crazy enough to call his old car contact, access secret bank accounts, turn on his Marshal babysitter, and almost get taken out my the mob guys that he planned to testify against, and nobody could have known those five things would happen. Nate said he only knew three of the five. Hardison then tried figuring out which three, but Nate wasn't getting any answers.
Nate walked over to the bar to sit with Sophie. Sophie told Nate she couldn't help but overhear what Nate said in the warehouse about putting the past behind him. Nate said he had a gun to his head. Sophie said it was there bar, so she was sure she could rustle up a gun somewhere. Nate said Sophie was wrong about one thing. Sophie questioned it, because she couldn't possibly be right. Nate said wanting to move on with or without her mattered. They mattered.
First Person POV (Kaira)
I was sitting on Eliot's and my bed. I had gotten a shower while he and Hardison put the car back. Now Eliot was in the shower. And I had a lot of my mind. This whole thing Eliot and I have been circling around. And if I was being honest, I didn't know where to start. But Eliot came out of the shower, wearing his sweatpants, so I didn't have long to think. Eliot sat down next to me on the bed.
"Hey, Kaira, what's going on?" Eliot asked me.
How do I start?
"Just had a lot on my mind." I said.
"Me too, mama. You wanna talk about this round and round we're going on?" Eliot said.
"Yeah." I took a breath.
"Truth is, I was caught off guard when you said that you wanted kids. I had been thinking about talking about it for a bit, but I never knew how to say it. Then you said that you saw kids in our future, and I got scared." I explained.
"That's why you were silent when I brought it up." Eliot realized, speaking softly.
"Yeah." I all but whispered.
"Kaira, what do you see for us in the future?" Eliot asked me.
"I would like to have kids. And I would like to slow down eventually. I can't quit this job. And I can't leave Hardison and Parker. And I don't think I'd want to be anywhere else than here." I told Eliot.
And I was honest. No matter what version of Eliot and mines future I saw, it never felt right without Hardison and Parker.
"What if I told you I saw the same things for us?" Eliot asked.
I chuckled a bit.
"I'd be relieved." I smiled at Eliot, the worry leaving me mostly.
"Good. So we're in agreement?" Eliot said.
"Yeah." I confirmed.
I could tell something else was on Eliot's mind.
"What is it, babe?" I asked him.
Eliot took a breath.
"I'm sorry if it felt like I was trying to push you into having kids. Believe me, that's the-" I stopped Eliot, putting my index finger on his lips.
"It's okay. And you weren't. I'm glad you brought it up. And if you're ready for kids, I'm ready." I told Eliot, giving a small smile to show I was honest.
Eliot smiled and held my face.
"You sure?" Eliot asked me.
"Yeah. I'm sure. We've been talking about it, and we've always had reasons to delay. I don't see why we should delay anymore." I assured Eliot I was ready.
Eliot and I got both smiled. I straddled Eliot. I went to kiss him, but backed off last second.
"Well, I do have to go off the pill before we start having kids, but who says we can't have a little practice?" I teased Eliot, running my fingers through his hair.
Eliot smiled his flirty smile.
"I like the sound of that, Princess." Eliot said, a hitch in his breath.
And well, you can imagine the rest. There was a new excitement in me. Eliot and I were starting our future. And I couldn't be more excited!