Chapter two: The deceased
"So, I was able to find out what information they were trying to get," Hardison stated. "And I was able to get a print off the device as well. This guy wasn't bright at all. He didn't wear gloves at all."
"Get to the point, Hardison," Eliot snapped.
"This not so smooth guy's name is Randle Costa," Hardison said. "He's a multimillionaire that made his fortune on selling people shit that doesn't work. You know all that made for tv crap that you see on tv? Well, Costa is the mastermind at turning a piece of crap to millions. I mean really who can sell a garden midget that speaks seven different languages?"
"Kind of cute," Parker said. "Can we get one?"
"No, that's just creepy," Hardison said.
"I like creepy." Parker smiled.
Eliot rolled his eyes. "Anyway. Why did he hit here?"
"They were looking for us," Hardison said.
"Us?" Parker questioned. "Why?"
"I don't know, but they were targeting us. If you ask me they could have just knocked," Hardison replied.
Eliot looked at the photo on the screen and stared at him.
"He's no grifter," Eliot remarked. "He's anything, but that."
"You can't tell that. I mean look at Sophie, she can do several things. This guy sells garden midgets and sells crap…that's the real con."
"Nope, that's his cover. The girl is a grifter," Eliot said.
"So, if he's not a gifter, what is he?" Parker asked.
"Ex-CIA, recon is probably his specialty. I can track people, but he disappeared on me. He was like a ghost. By now he's probably changed his appearance and stripped away any evidence that he was there. That's what I would do."
"What about the blind girl. Probably not blind?" Parker looked at them.
"We need to bait them." Eliot stood up. "And we're going to need a little help. You two stay put, I'll be right back."
"Where you going?"
"Make a friend." Eliot walked towards the door.
He walked out and Parker looked at Hardison. "Eliot, doesn't make friends."
"He makes them, just not the way we make them." Hardison rubbed his head.
Parker stood up and walked towards the large building and looked out into the city.
"So, where did that little device come from?" Parker asked.
"Stolen, this guy is very smooth other than he messed up with a finger print." Hardison clicked to the next screen.
Parker wrinkled her brow and turned to Hardison. "What if that was the point?"
"What?"
"I mean he wanted us to find out who he was. It's a test to see if we'll take the bait. And when we do he'll actually come out."
Parker walked towards the screen and nodded.
"What about the girl?"
"Gina Costa, Randle Costa's sister who is blind. She's attended the school for the blind and is an outstanding citizen."
"So, why would her brother bring his sister with him?" Parker said.
"Distraction?" Hardison said.
"No, something else." Parker said. "Run the surveillance."
Eliot stood about a block away, by an office building. He stayed clear of cameras and only used code to make contact with someone.
"You know I don't appreciate the nasty text messages, Spencer," a gruff old voice came.
Eliot turned and looked at the silver haired man, dressed in a black suit.
"I don't very much care," Eliot said with a smirk.
"What can I do for you, Spencer?" the older man questioned.
"Let's take a walk, I feel out of place standing in front of your work place."
The older man smiled with a deep throated chuckle.
"Alright, let's make this quick."
Eliot walked towards the older man. "Are you still in contact with your CIA contacts?"
"Never out of the loop, why?"
"I need you to run a name. Randle Costa. He's ex-CIA," Eliot said.
The older man stopped and looked at Eliot with confusion. Eliot glanced around and looked at the older man.
"I can't give you any information on Randle Costa, Spencer, he's been dead for fifteen years."
"That's impossible."
"I don't lie to you, Spencer. He was killed on a mission in the Middle East."
Eliot paused for a moment and ran his hand through his hair. The older man walked forward and glanced around.
"Does Randle have any relatives, living?" Eliot asked.
"Sister, Gina Costa, she lives upstate with her fiancé. I can take you there if you'd like?" the older man said.
"Give me the address, I'd like to pay a visit on my own time."
"Afraid she doesn't like strangers, Spencer, I'm surprised she even got engaged."
Eliot sighed and the older man smiled.
"Even your charm can't get you anywhere. By the way I forgot to tell you, some Interpol agent was snooping around here. He and his entourage were pretty intent in finding a band of thieves that came here."
Eliot snapped his gaze to the older man. "What did these agents look like?"
"British Gentleman, smug bastard had three female agents follow him like he was something big. I put him in his place and sent him down south where I heard there was money being moved around the city. Let him deal with a DA that needed a hand. He looked like he needed a friend."
Eliot chuckled a little. "I knew I could count on you, Frank."
"Look, I can't keep detouring the FBI about your little jobs you're doing. So, you stooges better find another place before things get ugly and believe me, Spencer, FBI and Interpol won't be the only thing you have to worry about."
Eliot nodded and put out his hand. "Find anything else about Randle text me through this number."
Frank gave a nod. "She's not hard to find if you have the tools that big brother has. Just tell her I sent you."
Eliot nodded as Frank shook his hand. He walked off and pulled out his phone.
"Hardison, Randle Costa is dead, but he has a sister named Gina Costa. I'm about to pay a visit to her."
"We know about the sister, but keep us in the loop," Hardison said.