„The cameras facing the building are deactivated. Ill now take care of the main security system", Finch let John and Chloe know via the secured connection.
"Alright, we make our way to the fire escape", Chloe answered, signalizing John to follow her.
Besides going through the details of their plan to get in and out the exhibition without setting off the alarm, they remained silent on their way to the venue in mutual agreement.
"At least were not facing any noisy neighbors at this side of the street", the dark blonde woman concluded as they took the side path to the as emergency exit labeled door.
"Were ready to go, Finch", John informed his partner as he watched Chloe bend her hair back in a high ponytail.
"Just one moment, Mr. Reese… okay, thats it, Im in", he heard the confirmation they were waiting for.
Reaching for his lock picker set, Chloe looked at her watch appreciatively.
"1:42 minutes. John didnt exaggerate about your abilities", she addressed to Harold.
"Now its on us to step up for part two", John answered on behalf of the at first glance eccentric looking billionaire as the door opened in front of them. Giving Chloe the right of way, he looked around the area once more before he also stepped into the dark hallway.
"The exhibition room is around this corner on the left side", the 5.8 feet tall woman whispered, as she activated the flashlight function of her mobile phone.
Like hers, also Johns glance slid along the doors that displayed information like closet or stock, when they reached the entrance to the main hall.
"Heres a keypad that still lights up, Finch", he let Harold know while inspecting the electronic device next to the door.
"Im on it. It regulates the lock mechanism of the door… or at least it has until now."
Seeing how the green light turned off within a second, Finch took the word again.
"You can now enter the without setting off any alarm", he let them know.
A few moments later they stood in front of a showcase display which presented even in the bare flashlight of Chloes mobile device the Emeralds shining splendor.
"Criminals got taste", John acknowledged.
"They know what holds some value for sure", Chloe replied.
"Are you sure that the alarm is deactivated, Finch? Dont want to end up with Disco lights and ringing ears by touching the glass as in one of these bad movies."
"Im wondering that you know these kind of movies at all but I can assure that the alarm wont go off by removing the glass", his partner let him know.
"Well then", Chloe gave way to John with a gesture of her hand. "Welcome to your first jewelry robbery."
As requested, John removed the glass in a flowing movement.
"Your turn", he gave the baton back to her.
"Okay, lets get this done to leave here as soon as possible", she confirmed as she grabbed for the gemstone.
The moment she picked up the shiny emerald, however, everything happened at once; the sudden penetrating sound caused by the alarm system made John grimace painfully, as the rooms headlights got activated.
"Shit", Chloe cursed in an involuntary reaction, when the worst part -the automatic closing door they entered about- shut in front of them.
"Finch, we have a problem here", he addressed his partner once more via the still remaining connection.
"And sadly I need to tell you that its even worse", he heard the uneasy reply on the other end.
"Not what I like to hear."
"Me neither, Mr. Reese but Ms. Henderson seems to have activated a second internal security measure by removing the Emerald."
"How that?", Chloe asked, her eyes fixed on the orange blinking alarm light above close the door.
"I can only guess that the bedding of the stone was equipped with a sensor that got activated by the slightest change of its position or weight."
"The landmine trap", John concluded. "Everythings fine as long as you keep your foot steady on the mine but as soon as you remove it…", he thought back to his time as a soldier in Afghanistan.
"But this Emerald weighs close to nothing", Chloe looked at his partner in crime helplessly.
"These sensors are highly precise and can recognize a change of weight within the tiniest parameters", Harold answered instead.
"Now that we know what we did wrong, can you get it right and deactivate the system, so we get out of here before police sirens join into this unpleasant concert?", John asked.
"Negative, Mr. Reese. This kind of alarm is a closed system thats outside of any internet-based control. The only thing I could do is to deactivate the separate outgoing signal to the police department, but I think its too late already."
"So, that means were trapped here until we get arrested?", Chloe asked with a mixture of upset and panic in her voice.
"I would recommend to find another way out instead", it was again Finch, wo tried in vain to intervene hitting several combinations on the keyboard.
"Any idea how?", John asked looking to the two doors that got mechanically locked in a way that a simple lock picker set wouldnt stand a chance.
"I was hoping that you would come up with a plan", he heard his partners voice.
"I cant get arrested. Its about Arianas life. No way that Ill go to jail before shes safe", Chloe started to examine the room.
Doing it likewise once more, John wasnt able to find anything helpful for the locked door problem. His gaze switched back to Chloe who fixated a narrow ventilation shaft at the top of a wall.
"The only way that this leads to is to become stuck", the former soldier raised an eyebrow.
"Without wanting to be rude, for you thats probably true. I, on the other hand, think that I would stand a chance."
Their glances meeting, John frowned.
"Do you have a better plan?", she asked.
"Not by now."
"Mr. Finch, can you tell me where the ventilation shaft of the exhibition room runs along?", she addressed Harold once more.
"Its part of the air conditioning system and runs through the whole building. Whats your plan, Ms. Henderson?"
"If everything works out the way I hope, the plan is to get us out of here. I mean… if I can make it to the other side of the door and destroy the electronic keypad, I should be able to open the door manually, right?"
"In theory thats correct."
"Then it has to work out in practice as well."
"Any plan how to destroy the keypad?", John asked not hiding his skepticism.
"Well, I was thinking about your gun. I dont think that the pad is bullet proof."
"Too dangerous."
"Mr. Reese. As much as I usually prefer violence free options, I think Ms. Henderson is right. Since the police will arrive at the exhibition shortly, a bullet should be the fastest way to destroy the device."
Obviously not being happy with the thought, John observed a smirk on Chloes face.
"You wanted to involve Mr. Finch and slowly Im happy about it", she grinned.
"You take two steps aside and shoot from a 70 degree angle, if you dont want to catch the bullet yourself", he handed over his weapon along with the instructions in a pressed tone.
"Alright, but first its time for a climbing session. As good as I was doing in parkour, Im not spider woman, so may you help me out?", she hinted to his height compared to hers.
"Always a pleasure."
Helping Chloe up to the shaft way, the metal barrier luckily came off easily.
"Cross your fingers that any spiders in there are as disgusted of me as I am of them", she grimaced before she dove into the opening with high physical elegance as John couldnt help but notice.
"Shes on her way, Finch. Let her know where to go", he asked his partner.
It almost took two minutes until he heard two gunshots before the door finally opened in front of him.
Watching Chloe stare at his pistol in her hands lost in thoughts, he took the distance to place his hands over hers.
"Give me the gun", he calmly said.
For a while she evaded to face him, until she slowly let go of the weapon in her hands.
"You better take it before Ill do something I regret", she answered with a sudden depletion.
John instantly knew what was going on inside of her; he wasnt seeing the struggle in her eyes for the first time. In fact, he knew the feeling too well back from his time at the CIA. It was period of his life he had taken decisions he would always feel guilty for. Probably even more because of that, he wouldnt want her or anyone else to ever feel that way.
"Youll do your part of the job and Ill do mine", he declared.
Seeing a mixture of emotions in her eyes, they just looked at each other for a moment until she eventually nodded.
"The neighboring cameras show that the police arrived. You should hurry if you dont want to run straight into them", Finch let them know.
"Time to go", John grabbed Chloe's arm without further hesitation, heading in the direction of the fire escape.