Page 114 of Lost to Thievery
The room was circular with only two doors, each on the north and south side of the space. Something about its ancient stone walls seemed familiar. In the middle, stood the pedestal with a glass enclosure where the Codex Leicester would be displayedas part of theDa Vinci Appreciation Week, hosted every five years by the Italian museum. We had stealthily convinced the owner of the Codex to showcase it here, keeping the part where his precious book would serve as bait for the best thieves in the world to ourselves. The museum director was easier. He was just too happy to secretly help us catch art thieves and getting to display the Codex in the process.
Owen laughed excitedly from where he stood on the concealed pressure plate that had triggered the heavy steel doors to slam shut, turning the room into an inescapable prison.
Emerie grinned at us through the small window in the northern door, then pressed the release button on the outside and the door slid open again. It could only be opened from the outside.
“The pressure plates are working, the heat detectors are in, the beams inside the glass box are on. Ava, how’s it going with the cameras?” Syntax asked.
“It is…” I looked down at footage on my phone screen and adjusted the angle of the camera, hidden in the small vent. “Perfect! All of them are in, hidden and working.”
“Now for the final touch,” Marshall said, surprising us with a wide grin. He placed the signs outside each door.
No Entry. Viewing of Codex Leicester strictly with tours only.
Viewings would be held only in certain timeframes when thesystem was off while we watched closely. That way, no civilians would trigger the system.
We all came together in the middle of the room, looking at each other, excitement and hope sparking in our eyes, drowning out the fear.
It was the first time we’ve all been together since hatching our secret plan. According to the FBI’s books, Owen and I were in Germany, following a fictitious lead. Emerie, Marshall and Syntax were in Paris, tailing the art informant, stupidly hoping he led us to the Apparitions. We told no one of our true plans. Not even Director Devereux. We made sure our presence were known in Paris and Germany. Only at night did we enter the museum to set it up, and never together, making sure most of us were out and about.
“This is it.” Owen grinned, his energy feeling a tad nervous. “Everything is set up for next week’s exhibit. Marshall?”
Marshall nodded once. “I will call for you and my team tomorrow with our story of why we believe the Apparitions will show in Paris.”
“Only after everyone’s phones are confiscated and they are completely dark, do we let them in on what’s really going on.”
“Aye, aye, captain,” Syntax smirked at Owen.
Emerie shifted nervously. “Syntax, why the hell are you so excited? This will probably get us fired and thrown in prison. We’re full rogue right now. The director will skin us.”
“Or he will hand us a medal for our excellent police work when we apprehend the infamous Collectors,” Owen countered.
“And speak of your cunning and unmatched determination in the documentary they’ll make of us,” I added.
Even Marshall laughed excitedly.
“Now go get your beauty sleep,” Owen ordered. “The Codex arrives on Monday. And we don’t know when the Apparitionswill show. We have a long week ahead of us. Or short.” He shrugged.
“Aye, aye, captain,” Emerie mimicked Syntax, giving her a small smile before they disappeared out the room.
Owen turned to me, pulling me against him with a sigh, his eyes roaming the space around us. “I have a good feeling about this. By this time next week, the Apparitions will be behind bars.”
I snaked my arms around his neck. Yes. I could feel it. This room was right where we were supposed to be. Fate had led us here. My stomach fluttered nervously. “Then we can finally get lost at sea.”
Owen snickered and brushed my hair back. “Hold your horses. I still have a job. When we catch them there will be paperwork, interrogations, court cases… it’ll be a lengthy process.” Seeing the look on my face, he added, “But I’ll see if I can put in some leave for a week or two. Ididpromise to take you sailing. I’ll keep my word, A.” He leaned down and kissed my nose.
I sighed heavily. “Fine. I’ll take whatever I can get.”
Owen chuckled. “Let’s get going, beautiful. I want to see you naked.”
Ava
Myhandswereshaking.There was a constant current of electricity floating through my body, keeping me sharp and on the edge of my seat. It was day two of waiting and the nervous energy seemed to rise with every second ticking by. If the Apparitions decided to keep us waiting until the last day of the exhibit, we would all turn into rabid animals.
We sat in the hideout room, agents checking and re-checking their weapons, while eyes were glued to the little laptop screen—footage of the outside of the museum.
The museum’s wireless security footage went blank, and everyone stilled, holding their breaths. Just as we had expected. A jammer. Syntax had a wired system installed with hidden cameras wherever she could get access, knowing the Apparition’s M.O.
And they finally arrived.
