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Post by Jordanna on Mar 27, 2006 17:35:53 GMT -5
A few minutes before nine o'clock, a nondescript, aging black Chevy pulled into the alley behind Grimalkin Inc. Sid, Miriam, and Alex piled out--the latter carrying a dark blue bundle in his arms.
Earlier, Alex had caught a lucky break and got Grace on the phone at the Paragon. No questions asked, she had made his excuses for the night to Marty, then dug up two nearly-authentic police uniforms and personally dropped them off at Sid's house. Consuela made a few quick alterations to them, grumbling only a little. They might not pass a thorough inspection, but they would be adequate for one brief con job.
Meanwhile, Sid had called a cab and cryptically gone off to obtain the car. When he drove back to the house in it just after dark, he didn't explain where he got it--and Alex and Miriam both felt they were better off not knowing.
"Daws said she'd have the back door unlocked," Alex recalled, shifting the bundled uniforms to one arm. He hesitated for a moment, exchanging glances with Sid and Miriam as he listened for any suspicious sounds, then gently knocked on the door before opening it.
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Post by skybright on Mar 27, 2006 18:03:45 GMT -5
When the knock came at the back door, Daws turned her swivel chair to face the entrance and raised her revolver. She almost never unlocked the back entrance to the office -- and having an open door into her normally-locked sanctuary made her a trifle uneasy.
She sighed in relief and lowered the weapon at the sight of Alex Malone, with Sid and the Doc in tow.
"Good, you made it." She set 'Sweetie' back on the desktop and moved to lock the door behind the trio. "You guys run into any problems?"
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Post by Jordanna on Mar 27, 2006 21:59:58 GMT -5
Sid shook his head. "Nah. Everything's fine. We got the uniforms," he added, nodding to the bundle Alex was carrying.
"What about you?" Miriam asked. "How did it go with Sergeant Bell?"
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Post by skybright on Mar 28, 2006 19:28:23 GMT -5
"Well enough. Everything's a go for tonight; he'll be at the front desk, ready and waiting to sign your 'transfer papers'." Daws crossed briskly to her desk and gestured at the sketched diagram lying on its surface. "That's right here. The Van Lindens will be in one of the interrogation rooms -- here." She tapped the diagram with one extended claw.
"All you two," She nodded at Sid and Alex, "will have to do is follow Bell down this corridor, and escort the Van Lindens back down the corridor to the front entrance."
Daws gestured at the Doc. "You'll be parked here." She motioned to an area marked loading/unloading. "Wait for the guys to get in, and then," Daws grinned, "Drive it like ya stole it, I think is how the saying goes."
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Post by Jordanna on Mar 28, 2006 20:51:52 GMT -5
"I guess we're all set," Alex murmured, and turned to Sid. "Come on, we'd better get these uniforms on."
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Post by skybright on Mar 28, 2006 23:01:29 GMT -5
Daws shot an amused glance at the Doctor as their male colleagues removed themselves to the farthest corner of the office; then she pointedly turned her back on the two and picked a sheaf of papers off the desktop. She flipped through them and handed a few to the other woman.
"Here y'go, Doc. If anyone hassles you for being in the prisoner loading zone, flash these at 'em. They're transfer orders, just like the ones the boys will have."
Daws paused, then added uneasily "There is . . . one slight hitch."
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Post by Jordanna on Mar 28, 2006 23:23:09 GMT -5
Miriam looked pained. "What's wrong now?"
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Post by skybright on Mar 28, 2006 23:34:18 GMT -5
"Nothin' major." The detective assured her quickly. "It's just that the arresting officers on duty at Bell's precinct tonight are . . ." She chuckled, "Well, let's say that most of the names I'd like t'call them wouldn't be appropriate in mixed company.
"I've had a couple of different run-ins with Detective Sergeants Simpson and Arborgast, and neither one of 'em likes me a bit. They'll do everything in their power to keep me under arrest for as long as possible -- which means," She finished apologetically, "That it could be a couple of days before you all hear from me."
Daws shrugged and added "But I don't think they'll hassle your folks too much; and I don't think they'll put up any fuss about the transfer. "
At least, I hope they won't.
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Post by Jordanna on Mar 28, 2006 23:43:31 GMT -5
Sid lumbered over to the two women, now in uniform and adjusting his cap. "Well, how do I look?"
"You always did have a frustrated acting bug," Alex grinned at his friend, sidling forward. "Here's your big chance."
"Yeah, an' I'll never get any credit for my performance unless I wanna go ta jail."
"Suck in your gut, Sid. Your shirt's too tight."
"An' your skull's too tight."
Miriam rolled her eyes, too anxious to be amused. "Okay. I think we're ready to go." She turned to Daws and shook her hand. "Thanks for taking this risk for me and my parents. Good luck."
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Post by skybright on Mar 28, 2006 23:52:56 GMT -5
Daws chuckled at the men's banter and returned the Doctor's handshake with a grin. "Thanks. We're all gonna need it."
She handed the rest of the "transfer papers" to Alex and then pressed a small black beeper into Sid's hand. "Bell's gonna call this number as soon as it's all-clear for you guys to come in. He figures about midnight, maybe twelve-thirty."
Daws squared her shoulders, snatched her fedora from the bust of Shakespeare, and nodded as she settled the hat on her head. "All right, friends. Let's go be good guys."
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