Once again, I would like to thank all of the people who have read, reviewed, and loved this piece of fiction. It has been a lot of fun in writing.
LiliFayre – Thanks for helping me once again! This fic would not be done today if you hadn't helped me!
Hope you all love it!
Warning - unbetaed, will be later.
Chapter Four: The Plan
"All right, so this is what we know."
Sophie watched as Nate started the meeting. It has been two days since Nate gave out orders to find everything they can about the job while he ran off learning about the bank. The Grifter wonder just what the bank had to do with their job since Nate never did anything that was frivolous. Except when he was drunk or being stubborn or obsessive about something that came close to his son. She had to bite the inside of her mouth to prevent the small smile that was threatening to form. It seemed that this time though, Nate looked to her for strength at times. And he was confiding with her more about the cons – especially with this job.
Taking a quick glance over at one of the 'children', Sophie was practically giddy with anticipation for Nate to spring the news.
"Now Alton Corporations was founded in 1983 by Fredrick Alton who is still the owner but doesn't really get to involve with the company." Hardison began before using the remote and the screen in their safe house produced an image of a man in his fifties with shocking white hair, glasses, and an easy going smile. "This is Gordon Jones, CEO and basically the guy who made Alton Corps in the absence of the owner."
"Gordon Jones, however, is currently working over at the new branch in L.A., getting the whole thing started." Nate added. Hardison nodded and clicked his remote so that another image slid next to Jones. This man looked to be in his sixties with thinning gray hair, grumpy wrinkled face that made him look stern. He looked like the sort of man that everyone would say looked like any other old man. "This man is Elmer Benns, vice president and currently looking over the operations here in New York City."
"So Benns is our guy." Eliot guessed and received a nod from Nate and Hardison.
"He's our best bet. You see, Sophie and Parker's notes on the court papers have one of the department heads but that's pretty much a ruse. All of the money so far is coming from a shell company owned by Benns. I checked out the finances and there was a transfer of $15,000 about over a month ago to an off shore account. There was another of the same amount three days after the bomb. Now, as of four days ago, our Mister Benns has just transfer $20,000 to the same account." Hardison said as he displayed the statements on the screen. Eliot gave a nod at that before he looked at the others.
"Mike and I checked out the airport security as far back as two months ago. Originally we checked for private flights but we got nothing on them. Luckily, we managed to find our guy on camera."
Mike snorted at that.
"Hardly, you looked at the guy's back and said it was him – you figure it out by the way he walked!"
"Seriously?" Parker said with wide eyes. Eliot sighed and shook his head.
"That and the distinctive style bag he had on his back. Look, can we get back to the rest of this?" Eliot waited before continuing on. "We found him returning to the airport about four days after the bomb but Mike caught sight on one of the videos of him exiting out of the airport."
"So he's been here ever since?" Sophie inquired with alarm. Both of the boys nodded at that.
"Using all the available cameras, we tracked him as far as downtown, but after that, he seemed to just disappear. Eliot thinks that our guy is staying low in his own safe house." Mike answered with a shrug.
"Whatever it is, Benns must be promising a good pay out for this guy to stick around this long. That $20,000 is just a down payment for a bigger one." Eliot added. "There may be a chance that our guy has friends."
Sophie sucked in a breath as the news seemed to be getting worse. Of course taking down Monroe had been worse, but Russians were always troublesome to deal with. Still, having an assassin of sorts tend to make things difficult for them. Taking a quick look at Nate, Sophie saw that the Mastermind had his poker face on which could mean anything. No doubt, the man was thinking how to use the ex-KGB man to their advantage although the Grifter had difficulty in figuring that part out.
"And we still don't know if the law firm is in on it too." Parker added with an ugly pout to her pretty mouth. Sophie internally shivered and mentally reminded herself to unteach Parker that unattractive pout. Poor girl must have seen it on someone else.
"Or if the KGB guy is the mole hiding with them." Hardison added quickly, no doubt trying to down play Mike's old employer's involvement.
"If the guy is a mole it would be almost simple enough to figure out if he's in there." Eliot added with a nod.
The Grifter saw that Mike was ignoring the comments and was mostly focusing on the screen with the information. The poor boy, Sophie thought as she remembered her time away from the group because of her own identity issues. Finding that she was more herself with the group than without was a scary thing to believe and it had nearly taken the team's lives for her to realize that. The poor children had been secretly chatting with her every time they had an issue with Nate. Sophie wondered if this job would give Mike the closure he would need since he ran away from New York and all of his problems.
"So, vice president with an unknown agenda, a hired Russian with friends, and a law firm with unknown dangers." Sophie began but Nate interrupted her.
"Not unknown agenda."
Everyone looked over at the Mastermind as he got up and walked to the center of their little powwow. There was hint of smile and his stance was relaxed with the cup of virgin black coffee in his hand. Whatever the man found, it was nothing traumatizing that he would add a bit of whisky to his brew.
"Like Mike said, there was bank robbery with a fire. What was not found in the papers was that money wasn't stolen."
"What?"
Everyone looked a Parker who looked shocked that someone wouldn't take money from a bank. Sophie would see Hardison giving the Thief a rather found look while Eliot rolled his eyes and Mike shaking his head. Nate, of course, just continued on after a look.
"The survivors in the bank gossiped with some of the neighborhood stores which are still running today and some of the owners were kind enough to share that gossip with me. What the robbers stole was something from a deposit box. A Russian jewelry box."
Mike gave a snort at that.
"Seriously? A box? The thing better be encrusted with diamonds, rubies, and emeralds for the trouble they did." The Fixer commented as he leaned back against his chair. Sophie's heart skipped a beat at the idea of such a lovely piece.
"All of that and the fact that it was one of the lost pieces during the massacre of the Romanov family that belong to his wife, Alexandra. Never reported stolen officially though but it is heresay." Nate answered with a look at Sophie. She gave him a smile but said nothing. The Grifter was not going to deny that such a piece tempted her.
"Black market." Eliot mused.
"And must have pissed off the owner." Hardison added as he began to type furiously on his tablet.
However the Thief gave a sniff of contempt.
"Sloppy. I could have done better when I was ten."
Nobody commented on that because it was probably true.
"So how does our Mister Benns fit into this? Was he the owner or – " Mike began and Hardison finished for him.
"One of the robbers, but I thought no one knew who they were." The Hacker pointed out as they all waited for Nate to answer them.
The Mastermind gave a nod at their comment and took the time to take a long drink from his coffee. Then he looked at them with a smile the made the crinkles of his eyes more pronounced – it was a tell that he was about to share some juicy information. Sophie absolutely loves the crinkle as a tiny full body shiver reacted to it. It made the woman want to jump the man's bones.
"Actually, he was an employee at the bank – I checked the old files at the police station."
Everyone looked at the man with degrees of shock and awe. The group tends to avoid the police or any types of law enforcement unless it involves with a con. Usually, Eliot and Hardison worked together whenever they had to act as policemen while Mike and Parker acted as the FBI agents. Nate and Sophie rarely go near the police station for anything. A normal convicted criminal wouldn't dare to go into the belly of the beast after being stuck in prison for six monthes. Nate, however, just rolled his eyes at their looks before waving them off.
"I just told them I was a professor at a community college and one of the students in my journalism class had forgotten to add a few papers in one of the old files and I was there to return them. Look," Nate said as he connected his mobile to a USB port and a couple seconds later, an image of a list appeared on the screen. A few adjustments later, all of them could see that Benns's name was on the list. "He was actually a manager at that time. Now the other robbers are most likely dead or in prison for other crimes, but the thing is that the box was never recovered as far as anyone knows."
"So, after thirty years or so, Benns is harassing our client because of a jewelry box?" Mike asked with doubt. The Mastermind smiled and chuckled at the disbelief on the Fixer's face.
"Exactly. I'm going to take a stab that there was a double cross and somehow one of the robbers hide the box and never told the others about it. Then Benns comes along after thirty years, finds him and discovers that the box is hidden and learns the location."
Eliot groaned and shook his head while Hardison snorted and sighed.
"I can't believe that a Martin Lawrence movie is actually coming true." The Hacker stated before finishing off his soda.
"Blue Streak? That's like the story of my life except without the jail time first." Mike grumbled into his beer. Parker perked at the comment with interest.
"Oh! Is that the movie about the diamond? It was funny but the whole set up was stupid and the guy should have totally picked a few more wallets."
Eliot and Hardison looked over at Mike who twitched underneath their stares. The Fixer gave a shrug before straightening out.
"Hey, she had a taser. Movie night is always con movie night."
Sophie felt a stab a pity for Mike. She had tried to convince the Thief to watch a few of the romantic comedies with her, but the girl didn't get half of the story most of the time and she ended up at the wrong times. Also the fact that Parker tends to compare the characters with Sophie and Nate makes the Grifter stuff the girl with chocolates to silence her. Sophie was beginning to fear that she was creating a Pavlov effect with Parker.
"Okay, so our Mister Benns finds out that the box is on the property of our client and he wants to take over the property so that he has free reign. But why not pay some people to just sneak in and dig? It's much better than this mess and no one would ever know." Sophie inquired as got the 'children's' attention and they looked over at Nate.
"True," the man agreed, "but that means that the location of the jewelry box is some place that is not accessible, practically impossible for a simple job and needs time. I'll have our client give us access to as many blueprints as he has."
"So we know the mark, know the dangers, and know the complications." Eliot listed and nodded, "So what's the plan?"
The Grifter saw the look that Nate gave her before the man absently patted his side, no doubt wishing he refilled his flask because the plan was going to take some time to explain properly. She gave him a smile of encouragement and waited.
"Right, the plan." Muttered the Mastermind, "Well, it's going to be like this…"
"Hardison and Parker, you guys are going to find and retrieve the jewelry box…"
"All right, so I checked everything on our Mister Benns and discovered on his car GPS that he actually went up to a state facility prison a few times before all of this mess started. Now after checking the records of the prison, we discover he was visiting one inmate who died two weeks ago."
"He's Winky Brown and all we managed to get was autopsy reports because he got shanked." Parker added as she dumped the file with the photos on Nate's lap.
"Now, about the jewelry box, the best way I can find it would be a ground penetrating radar to find any irregularities in the ground." Hardison began as he showed Nate and Parker a demonstration. "A metal detector could work, but we don't know how deep our box is and it's been thirty years since it's been hidden."
Nate nodded at the information before staring at the demonstration that was before him.
"Good. Hardison, find records of payoffs with the guards around the timeline of Winky's death. Our client just gave me the plans for his company." The Mastermind said as he handed a UBS drive to the Hacker and then turned his attention of Parker. "Parker, go steal us a radar.
The Thief gave a grin as she skipped out of the room with her gear. Nate turned to see Hardison with a goofy grin on his face. It was a few seconds before the Hacker realize that his boss was staring at him.
"What?"
The Mastermind shook his head and walked away.
"Sophie, I want you work on Benns. A guy like that is going to need look for a PR rep if there is any hint of a trial going on…"
Elmer Benns was walking towards his car with a hot cup of joe in his hands when something hit him on the head.
"Suck it Corporate Man! We of the Green Trees say suck it with your chainsaws and inability to replant with real trees! Suck it!" a young male voice screamed out.
Benns reached out to touch what hit him and was disgusted at the sight of clear and yellow yolks that clung to his fingers. Another impact and egg hit him on his chest and ruined his suit. Looking up, the man saw a man wearing a neon green shirt, jeans, and a matching hat that covered most of his face before the culprit ran off. The vice president noticed that no one had bothered to rescue him or even went to catch the guy.
"But my company doesn't even cut trees!" He bellowed in disgust while his chauffer ran towards him with a handkerchief for his soiled suit.
"Doesn't matter with the nut jobs. They'll use any sort of weakness with corporate America to fund their cause." Drawled out a female voice.
Turning around, Benns was greeted with a sight of a dark and sultry woman in her thirties wearing a fashionable chic business outfit. She had a rather polite smile on her lovely face, but Benns could see that she was taking a business opportunity out of the whole mess. That was something he actually liked in a person despite their sex.
"Indeed, Miss…?"
"Leslie Cameran. I work for Sunders & Trum – a public relations consulting company, well to be honest, I'm the owner. I originally came here to look at some property to expand my business from D.C. Capital but I didn't expect to find some potential business right now." Miss Cameran answered with a teasing voice. "Trust me, sir, you would be amazed at how much work we get from our politicians. Only started out three years ago and now I'm ready to expand."
This was all said with a graceful confidence that Benns could not help but admire. A self made woman with class.
"I'm afraid I'll have to go, but here's my business card," Miss Cameran said as she passed him an elegant white business card, "And give me a call if you ever in need. Can never be too careful with the public."
With a wink, she slipped into a waiting taxi and left Benns smirking and looking over at the card. Looking out the window, she gave a wave and turned to face the driver.
"You have amazing aim, Michael. You got egg yolk in his hair." Sophie said with a giggle as the rearview mirror reflected the face of the Fixer.
"Yeah, it's amazing how people don't notice you when you take off the hate and put on a jacket."
"Don't forget our next stop." Sophie warned with a smirk. The young man slumped the best he can while sulking silently as he drove.
"How could I?" he moaned.
"Eliot and Mike are going with the client to, uh, see the lawyers…"
"Jessica, you can't be serious."
Harvey was sitting at Jessica's office with Louis and his taped up nose only to learn that he was going to have to share his case with some outsider. The managing partner gave the two men a stern look.
"I don't like it anymore than you do, but it's what the client wants. I don't know how he knew, but somehow he's learned that there has been a break in and that break in involves with his case. He has already threatened to take this whole thing public and I've only managed to stop him from leaving his firm by agreeing to his terms. He wants a pair of eyes that he feels he can trust."
"Really? And how can we possibly trust these new people, Jessica? They could be con men duping the client into ruining the firm." Louis argued while Harvey stayed silent.
Jessica was impressed that the senior partner was allowing Louis to finish his say without a smartass comment. However, she pulled up a file from her desk and gave it to Harvey who took it silently. The junior partner was trying his best to see the contents from his position without moving from his spot. Harvey ignored him.
"I ran a check on them and the client was more than happy to provide me the information. They're actually a firm from Dallas, Texas and they are quite impressive. They are retainers to both nation and international corporation and their pro-bono work is the best in the city. The client tells me that they are sending in their best closer with his associate." Jessica added with a look at Harvey.
The man only gave her a look before rolling his eyes.
"Cadmon & Green where everyone is family – good god, Jessica. Are you sure? It sounds like some retarded Hallmark card." Harvey said with disgust as he passed the file into Louis's eager hands.
"Well, you can tell them. They're waiting for us at the conference room." The managing partner said as she got up gracefully and led them to their guests.
The conference room was made mostly of glass so it was easy to get a good look at the newcomers. Harvey could see their client sitting with another and talking with them. A third was standing with his hands in his pockets and his back straight. He had a wide open stance and surprisingly long brown hair that was tied back in a horsetail. When he turned and caught sight of them, the senior partner saw that the suit the man wore was definitely tailor made of dark gray blue with gray pin stripes, a sky blue shirt, and a dark red tie. Thin wire classes perched on his strong nose that looked like it had been broken a few times and despite the long hair, the man had a serious face to him.
Strong, powerful, and deadly – the guy was definitely a lawyer Harvey might like, if the douche hadn't moved in on his case.
"Jessica, it's good to see you." The client greeted with a tight smile and gave a nod to both Harvey and Louis.
"And you as well, sir. As you know, this is Harvey Specter who has been working on your case and this man is Louis Litt. Louis will be helping with the case."
"I see. Mister Litt, I would like to give you my sincere thanks in stopping the robbers from taking any information from my case. I am sorry that you sustain injuries from it."
Louis was about to give his words but the client went on.
"Like I mentioned to Jessica, I have my doubts, but since this firm is willing to concede to my request, I would like to introduce you to Mister Kevin Hunter senior partner at Cadmon & Green. Also the best in the firm."
Hunter gave each of them a strong firm handshake and a short greeting with his strong Texas drawl. It wasn't corny like in the old Western movies but it something that was similar to John Wayne only darker and rougher.
"Good to meet you. And I would like to introduce to you my associate – " Hunter began as they all turned to face the last person.
"Wait, Nate, I can't go with Eliot on this."
"Yeah, well, actually you can."
"How? I'm with Mike on this. Four years doesn't mean they'll miraculously forget about him. Even if we dye his hair and put some make-up on him, they'll recognize his mug."
"Not if we…(mumble, mumble), Sophie can help you on it."
"…"
"…"
"…"
"Did you just say we're going to turn Mike into a girl?"
"PARKER!"
"WHAT?"
"…Jenma Jenkins."
This was addressed to the last person in the room sitting next to the client. Harvey took the time to study the blond young lady wearing chic office clothes that were charcoal gray pencil skirt with matching jacket, a cream color blouse, and a pale pink scarf around her neck. She was a pretty with make-up that didn't look like it was plastered and more like it was enhancing her looks. It was also obvious that she was a tall woman from those lovely legs.
Harvey had to admit, if the girl wasn't the guy's associate, he would have like to get to know her a bit better. Somehow, the girl's outfit made the blue of her eyes stand out more. However there was something about her that bothered him. He just could not place his finger on it.
Looking over at Louis, Harvey saw that the man was interested, but from the way the lawyer was glaring at them, it was obvious nothing was going to happen with that bit of skirt with him around. Harvey mused that Hunter would probably make a good sparring partner for boxing. He'll have to see if the man would like a match or two.
"Hello everybody!"
The faint hoarse female tone with the Southern accent that came out of the pretty mouth shocked everyone except for the client and Hunter. It was a funny voice to be coming from a girl so pretty. Hunter gave them all looks of apologies.
"Poor kid is a Cowboys fan and screamed her voice gone from cheering old games. The doctor says that she just needs to take it easy for a week or two for the voice box to recover. But she does good work, the best I've ever seen in my entire career."
Jessica gave a smile at that as she went over to shake the woman's hand.
"Well, I hope the two of you will be comfortable working here."
"Huff, I, huff, I-I can't breathe!"
"Just another inch and – yes! It's good. You'll definitely have a figure now!"
"Sophie, isn't a corset a bit too much?"
"Don't be silly, Nate. Mike needs to have a figure to make this work."
"I, huff, need to breathe, huff, too!"
"You'll adjust."
"This is, huff, cruel and, huff, unusual, huff, punishment, huff!"
Mike gave a small smile as he shook hands with his old boss. If it could, his stomach would be dropping down to his toes after that first look with Harvey. Luckily, the corset that Sophie forced him to wear was preventing that.
Great, he was going to have to work with Harvey and Louis.
"I'm sure we're going to get along just fine."
God I am such a tease to you all. Mike and Harvey finally meet and it turns out like this! Oh dear, it appears Mike's cross dressing has made him into Louis's type! Don't worry! Eliot will save the day!
Send me love and reviews!