Voight came back out of his office a few hours later to see a lot more information on the whiteboard and the team had a new energy to it.
"Sarge, we've identified all the main players. Other than our suspect Mark Tomlin, we found out the shoe print belongs to a woman named Celeste Hamilton. Did a year in prison for narcotics distribution. She is now on the night cleaning team at the museum. She is also the one who the large van is registered to. We also found out that the night security guard, Drew Hansen, is relatively new, only been there about six months. Got fired from his last job for too many no call no shows." Hailey explained. "From what we know we have a feeling that Mark took the paintings and the jewels with the help of Drew and Celeste, brought it to his brother who gave them a good chunk of change that Mark and Celeste with probably use to score some good quality product to start selling."
"We also have a smaller time frame of events. Security footage shows both the painting and the jewels being in place at 11:01pm. The camera cuts out at 11:03pm and turns back on at 12:24am, just as the cleaning van is driving away. Unfortunately there are no markings on the van and because of its age it doesn't have built-in software for us to track." Adam added.
"Sounds like a good motive to me. And honestly that's not that important because they probably already dumped the cargo they had. We need to start talking to these perps and see if they'll crack!" Voight explained.
Hailey gave a sly smile. "That's exactly what I was thinking."
Everyone else looked a little confused.
"But Sarge, how are we going to keep it on the down low if we bring in all these people? Somebody is going to get scared and start talking. Then not only will it hit the press, but our guys will bolt and we'll have no idea where they stashed the stuff or themselves." Jay tried making sense of the plan.
"Who said anything about bringing them in?" Rojas knew exactly what Hailey meant. "We'll go undercover as collections people from another museum looking for some fancy art. See if we can find the missing pieces."
Kim interjected. "Not a bad idea, but they'll never believe any of us are museum curators. And besides, how will we be able to tell the difference if the piece they show us isn't a reproduction of the original? And also just because Mark's brother will have it, how will that pin it back to Mark? No way he'll turn on his brother that easily. We need to get Mark to admit that he's working with his brother. I think I have a plan that'll get us that far. We can have Claire and one of the other staff members in the gallery discussing potentially getting a new painting and some better jewels, if the price is right. We'll make sure this conversation happens while Mark is in the gallery. One of them can mention how they remembered Mark talking about his brother being in the auction business and if he can help, and we'll go from there."
Everyone nodded along. Seemed simple enough, but would Mark be dumb enough to fall into their trap?
Before the operation began, Kevin and Adam went through some of the galleries and installed their own cameras. Now they sat in their truck about a block away, watching and listening to everything going on. The two men watched as Claire walked into the gallery with the Senior Manager of Visitor Services.
"Hey Mark." They both nodded in acknowledgement of his presence. Mark nodded back.
The two wandered around interacting with the interns and other collections associates doing a late night install, trying not to make it too obvious as to the real reason they were there.
Carlos, the Senior Manager of Visitor Services, spoke up first. "So word in the galleries is that Janet is pissed about what happened to the Pollock. She's not as worried about the jewels, called them ugly, but the Pollock was her favorite."
"I know. Now she wants my head on a silver platter. She said I could make it up to her if I got her another Pollock, or something better...like maybe another Warhol, which you know has always been my personal favorite." Claire said.
"Mine too. And as far as our visitors go, that is who they ask for ninety percent of the time!" Carlos explained. "All of our visitor surveys always say 'We want more Warhol'!"
"It would be fantastic to get one, and some better jewels because I agree those were ugly. But even with the insurance payout it won't be enough to get all of that...unless I can get it for a great price."
Adam and Kevin watched as Mark seemed to listen intently on the conversation. Maybe he was that dumb after all.
As Claire and Carlos pretended to walk away, Mark stopped them.
"If you guys are serious about getting some jewels and a Warhol, I might be able to help. I don't remember if I told you but my brother runs an auction house in Springfield that museums purchase from all the time."
"Oh yeah, I do remember you saying that." Carlos lied. "You think he can help us? I think our visitors would love having some new works to look at."
"Of course. And if you're as tight on cash as you say, I can make sure he gives you the family discount."
"That would be fantastic!" Claire shook his hand excitedly. "I want to run it by the director and the rest of my team first, and then what do you say I meet you there so I can see what he's got."
Claire took down Mark's phone number to confirm a day and time. She and Carlos shook Mark's hand before proceeding out the staff entrance.
"Hell no!" Adam freaked out when Claire visited the bullpen the next morning to discuss their findings and their next move.
"Detective Ruzek, I already told Mark that I would be the one to meet him there. And do you really think that they are going to trust anyone else?" Claire explained.
"She's right." Hailey leaned back against Jay's desk. "Claire has to go, otherwise they'll think something's up and then it's over."
"Not if I have anything to say about it!" Adam continued fussing. "It'll be way to dangerous for you."
"Why? And don't you dare say it's because I'm pregnant." Claire crossed her arms as she leaned against Kim's desk. She looked behind her to see Kim giving a reassuring nod. "If she's going then I'm going too."
Kim added on. "Yeah, everyone from the museum already believes that I'm from V&P Associates. I can say I'm working with Claire to authenticate the pieces she's looking to purchase and also possibly purchase some for another client."
Adam stood up and through his hands in the air. "Have you lost your minds?! No way! Two pregnant women, undercover, by themselves...are you looking for a death sentence?!"
"STAND DOWN RUZEK!" Voight's voice could be heard through the entire twenty-first.
Adam calmed down, but only a little. "Come on Sarge, you know I'm right. I know Kim can handle herself, but I'm just protecting my kid."
Kim smiled and put a reassuring hand on his shoulder. After the argument they recently had about her being in the field scaring the hell out of him, she started to understand where he was coming from and actually began to enjoy have the extra watchful eye over her.
Adam continued, pointing at Claire's baby bump, "And while that's not my kid, it's somebody's and I'm sure they wouldn't want that kid in harms way either."
Voight nodded. "I know you're right Adam, but at this point it's the only shot we have. Now as far as protecting one innocent little life, that I have jurisdiction over...so Kim, you're benched for this one. Kevin will take your place since you both apparently work for this 'V&P Associates'. Now as far as the other innocent little life, I have no jurisdiction over that. Claire, it's up to you. Do you have family you can call to help make the decision, although I have a feeling it's already made."
"Yes Sargent Voight...I mean Hank. I'm going with you guys. If this is how I get my stuff back then so be it."
Claire turned and walked over to Adam. "And yes, Detective Ruzek, this baby does belong to someone: my husband. He's currently with his platoon helping the rescue effort from the hurricanes and tornadoes down south. We have a pact where we only worry about ourselves. He worries about him and I worry about me. If we start worrying about each other, especially when we're apart, neither one of us will get any work done or be that useful to those who need us. Does that satisfy your request for an outside opinion on my ability to work in my condition?"
Claire got a little bit snippy with the last question. She didn't mean to, but she had been over this a million times with her husband before he left, she didn't have time to deal with it from pretty much strangers.
Adam decided to shut up and sit back down. He was still stressed out over the entire thing, but what could he do? At least he got his way on one thing and didn't have to worry about Kim or his own child.
"Then it's settled. Claire, call Mark and tell him we'll meet Tuesday afternoon for a private showing of his brother's collection." Voight instructed. He watched Claire make the call from inside his office. He moved her to his office because he didn't want the noise downstairs tipping off Mark as to where she was calling from.
"We're all set. I told him to expect us Tuesday at 1pm."
"Good. If this all goes to plan, you'll have your stuff back and I'll have a few new inmates by Tuesday night." Voight said, escorting Claire back out of the twenty-first.