Chapter Nine
Missing Girl Found
Two days later, Squall slammed a newspaper down hard on the table. The headline stood out for all too read and reflected in five pairs of eyes. Quistis looked ready to faint.
"No, Squall..." she whispered, her hands moving to pick it up. "It can't be true."
"It's true," he replied. "Every newspaper in town is selling it."
"I can't believe it. Why would she?" Quistis asked, her eyes pleading Squall for an answer.
Squall looked at the wall.
"Dunno," he answered before walking away.
Quistis threw the newspaper back onto the table and followed him. The words on the front page stared up at the ceiling.
Missing Girl Found
Rinoa Heartilly, Daughter of General Caraway, was found yesterday evening when she wandered into CapeStone police station. Claiming to have stayed in the company of people hiding from the police, questions have been asked as to whether or not Heartilly now holds the answers to the recent diamond raids.
"Squall, we have to get out of here. Damn it, that little bitch is going to destroy us all!" Quistis hissed, clenching her fists.
"It doesn't matter. We're going to do this tonight, and we'll be gone before she can tell them anything," Squall said, his voice low enough to make Quistis flinch. "Tell the others. I'll meet you outside the Karter building at ten."
Quistis watched him walk out of the building for the last time.
Selphie looked up at her as she walked back to them and reached for her hand as Quistis sat down.
"It's alright, Quis. Squall will make it alright."
Quistis smiled at the smaller girl, but her eyes were filled with tears.
"This is it, guys. The last raid we ever do; it's going to be done tonight, so let's have one last run through. Zell, get the plans," Quistis said, wiping a tear from her eye. "Then we'll torch this place."
The board was set up in front of the sofa, and Quistis stood by the side. A building's blueprint was pinned onto the board, and a large sheet of clear plastic was tacked on top of it.
"The Karter building. The most respectable, most securely protected, precious jewel store in the world. Nothing has ever been stolen from this building in the whole one hundred and seventy-five years that it has stood, which is why this is going to be the biggest raid the world has ever seen," Quistis said, sending her listeners imaginary visions of rooms filled with jewels. "Guys, we have been watching this building ever since our first raid. Everything we have ever stolen was first stored in that building; we know when they trade and deal; we know every security camera; and we know who we can bribe. This building is ours. Let's take what belongs to us."
Selphie squealed and grabbed on tightly to Irvine's arm.
"I can't believe the time is finally here!" she whispered, as if speaking loudly might make the moment disappear.
"I guess we have Rinoa to thank for that," Zell said. "Squall would never have done this so soon if it hadn't been for her."
"We can't take any chances. Rinoa may tell them nothing, yet we simply can't sit around here and wait. Thankfully, she doesn't know what were about to do, so for now we're still safe." Quistis said in a confident voice. "Besides, who would believe her? The Karter building is supposed to be unassailable."
"I suppose they'll have to rethink some of their security plans after tonight," Irvine said, making Selphie snort with laughter.
Quistis frowned at him.
"Only if you've got it right," she scolded.
"Of course I have," Irvine answered, annoyed. "When have I ever messed up a mission?"
Quistis laughed.
"A mission? You're sounding like Squall," she said before returning to the board. "Does everyone know what they are going to do?"
Everyone nodded at her.
"Good. Then Zell, you have a phone call to make. Irvine, you can carry outside all of the walkie-talkies and other things we will need tonight. Selphie..." she looked at the eager girl for a second. "You can help me douse this place with fuel."
The fuel containers were heavy and noisy as they were dragged along the floor. Selphie tipped the liquid over onto the cold stone floor, and dipped her mop into the rest. Wiping it up on the walls, and the wooden frames, she sighed at the strain on her arms. Quistis pulled pieces of newspaper out of the liquid and stuffed them into corners and gaps of the walls.
"This is taking longer than I thought it would," Quistis said, her voice sounding out of breath. "How you doing, Selph?"
"Alright," she answered. "But it's destroying my shoes."
Quistis looked down at her own shoes. Nothing they were wearing could be used again, not that she had expected it to be, but she didn't think it was going to be as bad as this.
"Maybe we should pour some over the roof," Quistis muttered as she climbed back down the ladder.
Selphie shook her head.
"I'm not climbing on the roof," she said firmly. Quistis agreed.
"Well, I suppose we'll just have to grin and bare it, then."
Rinoa sat in the police station waiting. It had been almost thirteen hours since the call had been made to tell him that she was safe and still there was no sign of him. Eager as he was to have her found, it seemed he wasn't so keen to come and collect her. It was now eight in the morning and sleeping in a prison cell had hardly been a joy. But, since she had no money, there had been very little choice. Not that she had slept much anyway. Just lying down and resting her eyes had been enough.
The newspapers were now printing her story, and she wondered which of the men she had talked to last night had leaked the information. She could just imagine Squall's face as he read the headlines, how worried he would be that she would tell them where they were hiding, but he deserved that. Sighing, Rinoa decided not to think of him any more. That part of her life was over, however short it had been, and now she had to concentrate on other things, like what to tell the doctor when he came to look at her arm.
"Your father will be arriving soon," someone informed her as she stared into the opposite wall.
About time, too, she thought, giving the speaker a faint smile.
"And Officer Almasy would also like to speak to you."