House of Cards

by W. J. May

  Julian glanced at her from the corner of his eye. “Sometimes.” He chuckled when she snorted. “If they think you are ready for a mission, or don’t need the training, they won’t go over it. You’ll get a folder, like the one you’re holding, and assume you will request any info if needed.”

  “Jennifer was upset the PC’s were sending me out already. She doesn’t think I’m ready.”

  “Jenn’s bad-ass. Nobody’s good enough unless it’s her.”

  Rae turned in her seat so she could watch him as he drove. “You’ve worked with her?”

  “Not yet. Devon has. She’s very good. Probably one of the best. Trained by the best.”

  She nodded. Of course, why wouldn’t Devon have worked with one of the best already? She needed to stay clear of that subject. “What’s our plan?” Avoiding, Rae? A little voice inside bugged her and she imagined her mother sitting behind her whispering to her to face the hardest issues dead on. Skirting only swept things under the rug until they piled up high enough that you would trip over the rug and fall flat on your face.

  “Rae? Are you falling asleep?”

  “Sorry, pardon?”

  “You asked me about a plan. We’ll walk around the museum today and make sure the blueprints are current. We don’t want any unforeseen surprises.”

  “Then do we both go in to get the paper?”

  Julian shook his head. “No. I need to disable from outside the building and the sensors will pick us both up inside.” He paused and then cleared his throat. “I have a question for you: Are you able to use two tatùs at once?”

  Rae glanced at him and for a split second wondered if it was Julian asking her or the Privy Council. She decided on the first because Julian wouldn’t ever trade her in for opportunity. She chewed her lip and tried using Jennifer’s tatù and at the same time she tried to get electrical sparks from her fingertips. “Nope. Just one at a time.”

  “I didn’t think so, but I wanted to ask.”

  “I can switch without having to think about it.” She didn’t know why she felt the need to defend herself, especially in front of Julian. He trusted her completely and knew her ability.

  “That’s just as good. I just wondered if your tatù evolved, kinda like mine did. At sixteen I was drawing the future and now I’m seeing the future. Things change.” He glanced at her, but quickly looked away.

  Rae watched him but Julian refused to look at her, concentrating on the road instead. She wanted to ask what the look was about. She stared at him hard, waiting for him to cave, even though he gave no signs of weakness. She gave up and decided she would ask him another time, when they didn’t have a job to do. “Well, since Kraigan messed everything up, I’ve been more focused on trying to get tatùs. I haven’t noticed any other changes, but if you’re worried about today, don’t be. I’m ready. I’ve been ready for a long time. You needn’t worry about me.”

  Julian turned the car into the train station parking lot. Rae lost focus as she thought about the last time she had been there. When Julian parked the car, she grabbed her bag and jumped out, heading straight for the station, pulling out her ticket from the file still in her hand. Julian followed close behind, and the two checked onto their train, which was already there. They found seats near the middle and settled into them.

  Rae leaned against the headrest. As the train pulled out of the station she felt herself relax and begin to drift. She was glad Julian didn’t try to force conversation. Besides, she had the feeling talking about the mission would be taboo on a public train. She popped her head up once to see Julian in the same position. Feeling safe and comfortable, she closed her eyes and fell asleep.

  Chapter 13

  Mission Impossible

  “Rae. Rae.” Someone gently shook her shoulder. “We’re here.”

  She popped her eyes open. Everything was sideways. Wait. No. She was sideways, lying across two seats on the train. She sat up, wide eyed and slightly dazed, like when you wake up for school and think you are running late. “Sorry. I fell asleep.”

  Julian chuckled. “So did I, but obviously not as good as you.” He pointed to the side of her chin. “I think you’ve got some drool going on there.”

  “No!” She frantically wiped the side of her mouth and checked her hand. There was nothing there. “Bugger,” she muttered and swiped at his hand planning on sending him a small Molly-bolt, in retaliation.

  He easily foresaw her intentions and casually moved his body so she missed him. “Shall we go? London waits for no one.”

  She grabbed her backpack and noticed her file stuffed neatly inside.

  “Yes, I did that,” Julian answered before she even had a chance to ask the question. “Can’t leave it so easily out in the open, especially when the owner is dead-asleep drooling.”

  “I wasn’t drooling!” She rubbed her eyes, and casually tried to wipe her face one more time – just to be on the safe side.

  Julian chuckled.

  Does the guy miss anything? Feeling a little grouchy, Rae swung her backpack over her shoulder and followed him off the train toward the subway. “What are we doing first?”

  Julian checked a poster on the wall. “Heading to the museum.”

  The thrill of the situation was starting to get into her. It made her feel pumped and jittery. She bounced up and down on her toes as she read the subway schedule. “Awesome! I’m super excited to do this but kind of nervous at the same time.”

  Julian continued to stare at the poster. “Funny, I couldn’t really tell.”

  Rae let her shoulder bang into his. Not hard, but just enough to let him know she could handle him. “Let’s go. The subway’s going to be here shortly.”

  Julian stood with raised eyebrows as she paused after a few steps and turned around to see why he wasn’t following. “How do you know?”

  “We need the District Line and the train’s about to come in.”

  “Did you study the lines of the Tube last night?”

  She shook her head and waved her hand to hurry him. She could feel the rumble of an approaching train under her feet. “No. I just looked at the map now.” She had the feeling of déjà vu, but couldn’t remember the last time she’d been here. She began walking as Julian caught up to her. “We’re at Upminster Bridge so we’re going to need to take the District Line to Bakerloo. We can get to Piccadilly Circus. Or we can take the Jubilee Line, to just past Piccadilly, to Green Park.” She waited as Julian pulled passes out of his backpack. “Is the museum closer to Green Park or Piccadilly?”

  The subway train rushed by, whipping Rae’s hair across her face. She tucked it behind her ear, ignoring the weird stare Julian gave her. She brushed it off, unsure why he suddenly felt the need to gape at her.

  Julian blinked several times and gave his head a small shake. “I’ll have to check the map. I’m not sure which one’s closer.” He held his arm out to two empty seats beside each other. “Were you joking when you said you didn’t study the underground map?”

  “No. I didn’t study the tunnels. I just looked at the map on the wall and checked the quickest route. It’s not that big of a deal.”

  “But you did it so fast. I bet you know how long it’ll take to get there.” He leaned in and whispered, “Did you use a tatù?”

  She bent her head toward him, pretending to be super secretive. “No. Just using yours at the moment, ‘cause I’m trying to figure out why you are acting all jacked up. Are you on drugs?”

  Julian straightened. “Never!”

  She laughed. “I know, Juls. I’m just teasing.”

  The train lurched to a stop and passengers got off and on it. Several stops later Julian and Rae stood and moved to the door. They switched trains and when they crossed by Piccadilly Julian ushered her off the train. Minutes later they were heading up the stairs back into the daylight of cloudy skies.

  “Typical English weather,” Julian muttered. He shifted his backpack and Rae noticed it had a lot more weight to it than hers d
id.

  “I like the rain.”

  “Watch your mouth,” Julian said as he elbowed her. “It’s not raining yet.” He pointed. “Let’s cut through Piccadilly toward the museum. He checked his watch. “The museum opens in half an hour.”

  “Cool. So we can do a bit of sightseeing? I don’t remember the last time I was in downtown London. I don’t even know if I came here as a kid or if I just think I did because I’ve seen the pictures so many times.”

  “Sorry, Kerrigan. No tourist stuff here. We need to scout the outside of the museum building and set up.”

  Rae pulled on the strap on her shoulder to tighten it. “I know.” She glanced around the monument of Piccadilly as they cut across the concrete, and sighed with regret. She really wanted the freedom to explore, but she understood that the job came first. She focused on picking her pace up and showing Julian she meant business. “Are you staking out in a van or something?”

  Julian smiled. “You are such a rookie.”

  “I can still kick your butt.” She elbowed him, sending a gust of wind with her light touch.

  He sidestepped to regain his balance. “I bet you could give me a good fight. However, no hideaway van. I’ll be hanging out at the pub or café across the street. Something with Wi-Fi.”

  She paused mid-step. “Really? What happens if someone sees you?”

  “Then they’ll see a guy sitting having a coffee, and hanging out on his computer. Maybe talking on his phone. No one’s going to pay any attention to me.”

  His plan sounded too simple. “What happens if I need help?”

  “You’ll be fine.” He pointed to a large light grey stone building with a slate roof. The steps led up to large pillars that seemed out of place among the English vintage buildings. Like an ancient Roman had come and decided to set up camp. “Let’s walk around to the other side of the building. You memorize all the exits?” He rolled his eyes and muttered to himself, “Stupid question. The girl’s got a photographic memory.”

  “I don’t have a photographic memory. I wish I did, but I don’t.”

  “You knew the subway map with just one look.”

  She had no idea why she knew that. “I don’t have a photographic memory,” she repeated.

  As they moved along the side of the building, Rae pointed to a café across the street. “Let’s grab a coffee. You can see if the location is good there.” The place had large front windows with counters for customers to sit, and have full view of the museum.

  “Let’s go.”

  Two hot chocolates to go later, Julian agreed the place would be good for him. They played the tourist, continuing to move around the old museum building. They found a pub on the side of the building with a decent view. That gave Julian two options if he needed to move.

  The museum doors were open when they finally came back around to the front of the building. “What is on the page the Privy Council wants so dearly?”

  “I don’t have a clue.” Julian purchased tickets for the two of them while Rae waited back near the entrance.

  She scanned the cameras in the front room, and checked the guards, and protective measures around the inside of the building. There were a lot of warning signs but not near as many cameras as she thought there would be.

  Julian linked his arm through hers. “Shall we look around, love?” He winked at her and pointed to a tall statue situated near the wall of the main hall. “The artifacts in here are beyond impressive.” He pulled off the boy-trying-impress-a-girl act to a tee.

  Rae pretended to giggle and moved closer to him as they passed a set of serious looking guards. She could play the part just as well as Julian. Her face turned serious when they passed the guards, and were out of hearing range. The hall was nothing like she had expected.

  The black and white marble floor that seemed to adorn every building in Guilder covered the ground here as well. The hall was massive. A long corridor of carved white pillars, probably slate, sheltered display cases with fascinating objects behind glass and who knew what else. Rae only glimpsed into the first set of doors, but couldn’t fathom where all the pieces had come from.

  Tall windows, running from the ground up to the incredibly high ceiling, filled in the spaces between the doors and pillars. The hall had no displays, no tables, chairs or even art on the walls. However, just the hall itself proved museum worthy. As they walked along, Rae noticed the rooms were darker, but the hall, even on a cloudy day, was bright and cheery. It was simply breathtaking. The Oratory at Guilder impressed her every time she stepped inside of it, but this… she didn’t even have words to describe the beauty.

  Julian grabbed her hand and pulled her toward one of the open doors on their right. The room had quite a few people viewing the items on display. A school class followed behind a museum patron, leading them on a guided tour. Julian grabbed a pamphlet near the door and slowly walked down the left side of the room.

  Rae could hear him counting as he moved. He stopped at fifty-three, and turned to face the case stacked against the wall with velvet red looping rails to warn visitors not to cross too close. “It’s not in there, is it?” Rae stood on tiptoe to see over his shoulder. She knew the blueprints and was pretty sure this wasn’t the right room.

  “No. But if you could walk through the wall, you’d be directly behind it.” He turned his head slightly. “Can you walk through walls?”

  “No.” She laughed at him. Does he think I’m Wonder Woman or something? “If you find me someone who can, I promise I’ll be able to do it next time.”

  “I’ll see what I can do.”

  A guard stepped in and stood by the door, so they continued moving about the room. Rae figured his presence was meant to keep the noise and crazy level of the young students down. He barely spared Rae and Julian a glance.

  Julian eventually led her out of the room and into the one right beside. Rae held her breath as butterflies rioted around in her stomach, and she stepped through the door. Her eyes were immediately drawn to the exact place where she knew the book would be, a stunning podium made of a wood light in color with large streaks of grain. Oak.

  Her gaze travelled up the ornate stand to the item laying inside the glass case on top. Rae felt Julian reach for her, trying to pull her in the other direction – probably to appear less obvious if the cameras caught them later – but Rae ignored him. She wanted to know why some five hundred year old book had the Privy Council so enthralled.

  She slowed her gait as she approached. The room looked exactly as the blueprints and photos she had studied the night before had shown, but now, so real and beautiful. Who would have thought? The glass protected the book from elements and human touch. She spread her fingers over the wood and stood on the tips of her toes to get a better look.

  The pages had browned with age but the dark ink on the pages seemed a work of art on its own. There was a drawing of some kind of past scientific thing. She had no idea what it could be. It fascinated her nonetheless. Ultimately however, it was not the page she needed. Two pages behind it lay the details of something very important.

  Julian leaned over beside her. “Anything interesting?”

  “Old book. The flower on the one side looks Tudor. Like some you see on the walls of the Oratory at Guilder.”

  He pointed to the brass plaque in front of the book. “Check the date, it’s definitely Tudor. Ol’ King Henry is probably furious he never found the guy who wrote this book.”

  “Who did write it?”

  “No idea. Or so that’s what the story says on the wall behind the book.”

  She side-eyed him to see if his face revealed whether or not he knew more. It showed nothing. The school kids from the room next door began filing into the room. Julian and Rae stepped back from the book and moved absentmindedly to the next display. They pretended to study the other artifacts, but Rae’s mind continually studied the room, the cameras, the sensors and the book.

  The book’s binding was frail. It didn’t take a
forensic scientist to figure that one out. The needed page would be easy to pull from the book; it was getting into the museum and removing the glass case that seemed the impossible part.

  “Let’s go grab some lunch.” Julian’s voice brought Rae back to the here and now.

  Silent they left the museum and headed to the café. They settled in a booth off to the side and ordered lunch.

  “So what do you think?” Julian asked her.

  “Let’s say I get into the room, how in the world do I get the glass case off?”

  “There are sensors along the podium that line up along the base edge of the glass.”

  Sure, Julian. Throw in another web to complicate the whole thing. “Seriously?”

  He nodded and reached into his backpack. He slipped his hand under the table when the waitress came by with their fresh made pasties. When she left, he slid a rectangular box along the table toward her. “This’ll help.”

  “What is it?” Rae opened the box and stared at some weird red stickers and a little pen-like object. “Did Nic make this?”

  Julian smiled and shook his head as he bit into a French fry. “Nope. But I’m sure he will be doing stuff like this next year. He’s already signed on to work with the PC’s once he graduates.”

  Happy for Nic, Rae pushed her excitement aside to focus on the box. “What does it do?”

  “You will place the stickers in front of the places where the sensors are for the weight. They will balance the scale under the book while you use the stick to lift the glass. It works like a miniature version of a car jack. Press the button on the end and it’ll pump the glass case up on one side. Don’t forget to do the stickers first. I’ll have the main alarms and sensors for the hallways and into the room disabled, but I don’t have access to the security of each individual piece. You have a onetime shot with this thing and then poof, it’s done.”

  “How am I going to get in?”

  “Service entrance. I’ll show you it after we eat. You’ll go in through there at twenty-hundred hours.” He grinned at the confusion on her face. “That’s eight pm. Get used to the twenty-four hour clock, everyone thinks by it in the field. There’s a guard who goes for his smoke break. He’s the only guard on at that time of night. Everything else is done via video and security monitoring.”