She was fast, he had to admit. Even though he took huge steps compared to the woman who was a head smaller than him, she managed to keep her distance. Seeing her stop at a fire door, she looked out for him before she set off the alarm. In consequence the door began to shut in front of his eyes. John hurried even more to slip through the closing wings when Chloe Henderson turned around once more – smiling? For a moment he paused as he saw her reach the end of the hallway, pressing the button for the elevator. Suddenly he understood. Glancing back at the shut fire escape door in his back, he took a few steps closer to the woman that for some reason became more and more mysterious to him.

„You got me where you wanted to. So, would you tell me the reason you wish to be alone with me?", he asked, letting her know to have understood her plan.

„Dont worry, Im not going to throw myself to your feet", she replied almost amused. „Lets say, I just wanted to get to know you a bit better and understand why youre always where I am …at work."

„At work… so, stealing isnt your hobby?"

Another smile.

„Smart minded, like I guessed. But since youre not police, I wonder if its your hobby to follow me around."

„Actually I see it more as my job to catch those who do wrong."

„What pity that you think of me as of a common criminal."

Looking at her right hand on which she wore the stolen diamond ring worth close to 10.000 Dollar, he frowned.

„Whats your version?"

For a moment John believed to see a flicker in her eyes; an inner fight or even a longing to answer his question as the ping of the arriving elevator snapped her back to control.

„Im sorry but I have to go. Im late already. It was nice talking to you though", she took two steps backwards into the cabin."

Grabbing for his pistol, John targeted the woman's shoulder.

„I wont let you go."

To his surprise, the mysterious Lady in the red dress, who wore her dark blonde hair falling open about her shoulders, smiled again.

„You know that you wont shoot."

„What makes you sure about it?"

„If you wanted to, Id already caught a bullet", she stated in a calm voice, before pressing a button on the inside of the cabin.

„Until another time, John", she let him know as the doors closed in front her.

Baffled for a moment John followed the display that took her to the deepest level.

„Finch, shes going to the parking lot", he let his partner know via the USB connection as he took the staircase down.

John, her voice echoed in his head. He hadnt revealed his name to her, nonetheless she knew.
Looking around the parking lot, he was searching for a starting engine as he saw a fleeting shadow up the car ramp instead.

John closed his eyes.

„Shes gone, Finch", he let his partner know, before switching to Fusco, who was waiting outside.

„Shes coming your way, leaving the car ramp by foot", he instructed him.

„See her. Im right at her heels", the detective replied before cursing just moments after.

„Whats wrong?"

„She took a Vespa that was parked outside. The traffics too close to follow her."

„Precise calculation", John stated, realizing that Chloe must have planned every detail of the night in advance.

Knowing that further effort to keep track on her would be a waste of time he told Fusco to go home, while he made his way back to the Headquarters.

„She called you by your name. Dont you worry about that?"

His gaze fixed on the glass board that displayed all information they had found out about their recent number yet, John in vain tried to put the pieces together.

„There are other things Im more concerned about", he answered lost in thoughts.

„If you mean that this woman is playing with us, then youre not the only one", Finch didnt hide his concern.

„Thats not what I mean."

„What is it then, Mr. Reese."

„She said that shes late already. The actual question is late for what?"

„Do you think shes working with someone?"

Facing his partner directly now, John took a step closer to his desk.

„Possible, or she has to deliver the stolen items somewhere."

A sudden worried expression in Harolds glance made him realize that the idea hadnt occurred to him yet.

„That would make sense regarding that the machine gave us her number. If shes working with a partner or has to deliver the prey to someone, that person could be a threat to her."

„Or the other way around."

Finch nodded.

„Thats why I had to let her go at the elevator. I thought it would be more helpful see her next move."

„Unfortunately that plan didnt turn out as hoped."

John took a deep breath. Indeed, they hadnt been able to find out much about this number yet.
„Chloe Henderson, 40 years, owns a Café in the west village that specialized on serving natural and fair-trade ingredients only. So far there are no felonies on her record. Her income covers her costs but there are barely any savings in her account. Shes living on her own in Queens, has a gym membership that she visits twice a week and didnt seem to be in trouble up to now", Harold laid out what he found out about the mysterious woman.

After all, her record hasnt given any reason to start a criminal career at this point of her life, which lead to the only conclusion that something -or someone?- forced her actions. While he couldnt see the bigger picture of the game she obviously played tonight, there was something in her glance that unsettled him.

„For today she took the lead. The smartest move for now is to get some sleep", he reminded not only himself but also his partner before he made his way to the exit.