Ability

David Beasley was nervous. He was mussing his hair and swearing. David combed his hair for the second time in as many minutes. David had heard of course about Fin Noose and he felt privileged to maybe get the chance to work together with the best in his field, but he was worried. Fin's mercurial temper was legendary. David had heard Fin was a perfectionist and always dressed to the nines. David normally preferred more casual dress. Being unsure what to wear, he thought it was best to put on a suit and tie.

It was time to go. David didn't want to come too late. A good impression was important and David didn't want to set off Fin's temper at the beginning. David had liked learning from Ruth. She never shouted and led by example. He feared Fin would be the total opposite. He had also heard rumors that Fin was violent and had punched a team mate, because he had failed in his task. Reassurances from Adam, his middle man, Fin was a good guy, hadn't helped.

Having arrived at Fin's room, he took a deep breath and knocked. A minute or so later - what felt like ages - the door opened. David had expected Fin was formal dressed. To his surprise it was a mix between black dress pants, a black t-shirt and a suit jacket in the same color. Fin's age was a surprise too. David had always believed Fin was in his forties, based on how much he had done.  Fin looked barely older than him, was tall, blond and had blue grey eyes. David's host smiled at him. Fin noticed David, who had red-brown hair and blue eyes, was nervous. Fin tried to ease David's tension. "Come on in." Originally David had expected Fin was staying in a suite. He found out both had the same room type only different views and a slightly different layout. David liked that Fin didn't put on airs. Fin had watched a Spanish news channel while waiting for David. "Do you speak Spanish, Mr. Noose?" "Yes and please call me Fin." "David." Fin smiled at his colleague and shook his hand. Fin offered David a seat. "If you want to get rid of your tie to be more comfortable, I have no issues with that." David was glad Fin made the suggestion. While removing his tie, David checked out the room further and noticed it was tidy. This was fitting with being a perfectionist. "Would you like something to drink or eat?" Fin offered. "Coke, please." Fin went to the minibar to retrieve the soft drink for David and a bottle of Vichy Catalan for himself. When settling down again, Fin said: "Tell me more about yourself." "Well, I guess I should start with my parents. Don't get me wrong, I really love them very much, but I believe they were simply crazy..." Fin's eyebrow rose, but didn't reply to the statement. "They had it all - a great job at the United Nations Headquarters for my mother and my father was an investment banker, both pretty successful. According to them their lives were too stressful and they decided to quit it all, when they had enough money together. They moved to rural Wyoming and bought a cattle farm. On the side they grow organic vegetables and have a few free roaming chicken. While my older brother loved it, I was bored as hell. I was up to a lot of mischief. A dare caused me to find my true calling. My friends bet that I wouldn't dare break into the ramshackle house of an old, deranged lady. Of course I was tempted, so I did my homework and broke successfully in. Even so my friends were waiting outside, I brought a token that I really was inside. Naturally I was the hero. I liked the thrill, but also the organization behind a heist. Some maybe find it tedious, but I thrive... At home I was also famous to be a fixer. If somebody needed something I knew where to get it from. When it was time for me to go to college I had heard through the grapevine that Ruth Frankham was open for tutoring. I approached her and after meeting up a few times she agreed to take me on. I told my parents I was going to L.A. and studying subjects involving security. They don't know what I do. To cut a long story short I learned everything I could from Ruth and I'd like now to start out by myself." "Ruth is specialized in museums burglaries, isn't she?" "Yes." David told Fin about the break ins Ruth and he had done together. "You can show me what you have learned. I want you to break into the Alto Museum and get me this figurine." Fin showed David a photograph of the item he was looking for. David was a bit taken aback. Fin had requested it friendly, but it was clear it was an order. He had hoped Fin would trust him enough to employ him immediately. It felt like a slap in the face. Grudgingly David accepted the challenge. He left soon afterwards, grumbling to himself. Of course the job was simple enough and he managed to figure out the low security quickly. Within a week he brought the figurine to Fin, who smiled warmly and said: "Well done. I'd like to discuss the job with you and to have your advice, but before we'll start can you return the figurine?" David was speechless. All the work for nothing? "It wasn't senseless. I needed to check you can fulfil the tasks at hand, since I don't know you. You have proven you can do the job and I didn't expect anything else, when you come highly recommended by Adam. You don't have to break in again to return the artwork. I'm sure you will find a creative way to return it." It seemed Fin was able to read David's mind. The explanation made sense and David felt flattered by the compliment Fin had paid him and their middle man. "Alright. After the figurine is back, I'll be in touch with you." "Of course." David didn’t need long to develop a plan. He cleaned the figurine to make sure none of his finger prints were on it. He packaged it and approached a homeless man. David offered the homeless 100 Euro if he would deliver the box. Of course the man agreed to do the job. The homeless left it one morning on the door steps of the museum. The staff was glad to have the figurine undamaged back.

Fin invited David a few days later for a tapas lunch. They talked about private things, likes, dislikes and family. David was at the moment single. In his own opinion he was too busy to take care of a girlfriend. Fin could understand David. If he hadn't met Frieda, who could live with his absences and philandering, he would have had no relationship at all. "Have you ever been caught as a teenager for breaking and entering?" "No. I was lucky, I guess. And you?" "My parents caught me stealing. All hell broke loose afterwards." "I can imagine. Once my friend and I had the brilliant idea to throw stones into some windows of our neighbor's home. My mother was very displeased, when the local sheriff brought me home. He let my mother deal with me and there weren't any official repercussions." "That's good. My parents didn't go to the police." "Well, I guess that's what loving parents would do..." Fin cleared his throat. His eye color changed to blue. "It hadn't anything to do with caring for me. My parents were concerned about their own image. It would have embarrassed them no end to have to admit their son was a criminal." David sensed he was on shaky ground now and changed the subject. The dinner was enjoyable and the two seemed to click. Both believed they could work together. David and Fin made an appointment to discuss the heist in privacy. David was surprised it was in Bangladesh. He had never been to Asia before, so it was going to be a culture shock. He looked forward to the challenge and working together with another genius, Charles Harold Fox, within in the burglar community.

Fin proved to be pleasant, took David’s finding serious and was open to his suggestions. The same couldn’t be said about Charles. He was the oldest and most experienced, no doubts about it. He looked harmless with his slight built, light brown hair and green grey eyes. David was impressed how arrogant and dismissive Charles was. David wasn’t looking exactly forward to meetings, where all three discussed security issues and what needed to be done. Fin was civil to Charles, but David noticed he struggled to keep his temper in check. David admired Fin’s self-control and diplomacy. He somehow managed to keep them on track and achieve their goals without coming to blows or having big arguments, especially when Charles put down David. The youngest member of the team at age 24 tried hard to shrug Charles’s behaviour off. It wasn’t easy and sometimes he was still seething after the meeting was over.

Fin and David didn’t have to spend time together, when they weren’t planning the heist, but they enjoyed each other’s company and shared regularly meals or went exploring Dhaka. Charles didn’t mingle with them. David thought Charles believed himself to be above Fin and him. David wasn’t happy Charles had a big ego. He was glad, though, Charles didn’t want to hang out with them. The atmosphere would have been tense and it would have been only a question of time until either Fin or he would have been thoroughly fed up with Charles. David didn’t need to spend time with someone, who so clearly didn’t like him.

Soon the planning had reached its end stage and Fin had to make up his mind, who was stealing the first stamp set issued after the independence of Bangladesh and who was taking an antiquity. The team was going to split up. Two were going to steal the Buddha relief and one the stamps. David hoped he didn’t have to work together with Charles. His biggest wish was that he was going to be allowed to steal the stamps. Fin let Charles and him know he had come to a decision and would tell them in his room. David was nervous and excited at the same time. It was a struggle for him not to mess up his hair again. Charles was already there, sipping a glass of Mum water. Fin was looking out of the window, enjoying the magnificent views over the city. It seemed the two hadn’t talked while waiting for David. “Take a seat, David.” Fin said. He was pacing the room now, before he settled down on the bed. “David, you will break into the Museum of Independence and get the stamps. Charles and I will take care of the Buddha Relief.” David wanted to hug Charles and Fin, but contained himself and said simply: “Thank you. I really appreciate you give me the chance to proof myself. I won’t let you down.” “No problem. We’ll do the jobs tonight.” Fin smiled. Charles congratulated David. He seemed genuinely happy for David. Was something wrong with Charles? David didn’t bother to find out the reason for Charles’s unusual behaviour. He focused completely on the break in. All three had staked out the security of the two museums they intended to burgle, discussed the best way to enter and where their meeting point was going to be afterwards.

David didn’t have issues with disarming the alarm system. What was a bit tricky was opening the entrance door. Finally David had unlocked it. Having come well prepared he knew where the stamps were located. No one disturb him, so he picked the lock of the show case and took the stamps out without leaving any trace, stowing them in his shoulder bag. He left the same way he arrived and didn’t encounter anyone.

Fin and Charles had been successful too.

The team disbanded soon after handing over the hot items to a middle man.

Having proven David could work alone as well as part of a team he was soon on the way to a stellar career as master burglar. 

©2016

Just lying

This story  builds on Drivers, The Heirloom, Just checking, Just confirming, Talk inside the shed and Talk outside the shed.

Patsy Loesing was expecting new guests. Her son Kenneth had told her one of them was the brother of their former driver Coldham Fintan Noose III. Anna, Kenneth's wife, and Kenneth had met Allman Gregory Noose and his wife Frieda at a hotel in Scotland on a vacation two years earlier.  Now Allman, a psychiatrist, and Frieda were living in Seattle. The Loesings had a vacation home in Des Moines with direct access to the beach.

When Patsy entered the sitting room, which was furnished in a mix of contemporary and classic style, she was perplexed. The person, claiming to be Allman, was definitely Coldham Fintan. Patsy was sure of this.
She knew more about Coldham than she let on. Coldham had behaved too unusual for an average driver and had been secretive. Patsy's suspicion had been roused and she went to check out Coldham's living quarters. What she found there convinced her he wasn't what he claimed to be. A thorough investigation revealed Coldham owned a security company. Patsy combined he was there to protect the family and when she checked with Kenneth, he confirmed it. Patsy was wondering why Kenneth thought Coldham was Allman. She didn't blow Coldham's cover, but was about to say it was interesting how successful all the brothers were, when Frieda upended her glass into Patsy's lap. Patsy's gut feeling told her Frieda hadn't been clumsy and done it on purpose, even though she looked totally abashed and apologized immediately. It seemed genuine. Patsy went to change her clothing and was followed by Frieda.
Patsy was straight. "What do you have to hide?" "I didn't want you to unmask Fin." "What? Kenneth didn't engage Fin?!" "No, Burt Lewis, Tianna Loesing's son, had heard through the grape vine that Averall Loesing planned an attack against you. There were rumours he wanted to kidnap a family member. Officially Burt stayed neutral, but asked Fin to look out for you. He worked as your driver as long as there was a threat. Kenneth didn't know what Fin's real job was. Burt asked for secrecy, so Fin has taken on the identity of his second cousin Allman, who's really a psychiatrist. We would appreciate if you could keep quiet about the situation." It made sense. The Wallenstein branch of the Loesings had been always trouble makers, ruining even Patsy's wedding day. Patsy was glad she now knew the truth and promised to keep her mouth shut. Little did she know...

©2014

Break in

This story is inspired by an article I read about a blood soaked cloth - the blood was from Pope John Paul II - that was stolen from a church.

The only real person in "The Break in" is Pope Sixtus IV. There are rumors he was gay and had sex with attractive looking young men including his own nephew, who all profited by receiving benefits, like being made cardinal. 
The one night stand is fictitious as are the villages of Santa Trinita (named after Santa Trinita Bridge in Florence, Italy) and Villa Mattani, the church of San Michele and the Trattoria Capetta.

L'Aquina is the capital of the Abruzzo region.

Hope you enjoy! :)

Prologue

"I need to have it!" Cagney Brasileiro said fervently. His grey eyes were sparkling with excitement. "Make sure, I'll get it." He ordered his right hand man Lyn Rodriguez. They had worked together for around twenty years. Lyn sighed. His go to person, who took care of his boss' special requests, had recently died. Lyn needed to find someone else. He inquired discreetly for suitable candidates. Lyn and a Colombian American called Adam Granato, living in Vancouver, were immediately on the same wave length. They agreed to meet in person to discuss Lyn's little problem.

A few days later Adam touched down in Sao Paulo. He was meeting with Lyn at the Emiliano Hotel for drinks. After hearing what Lyn was looking for, he thought immediately about the right person for the job. He knew only one.


Rome, 1480

Lucio Gianetto picked up the alb. It felt cool and soft under his touch. Smelling it woke memories of entangled limbs, salty skin and soft kisses. The boy was slender, dark haired and had deep brown eyes. He was daydreaming and still cradling the alb, when His Holiness entered the room. It was lavishly decorated and had high ceilings with views over the roofs of Rome.
His Holiness had a sharp, beaky nose. He watched Lucio for a while, then walked over to him and kissed Lucio on the cheek. His stubbles scratched a bit. "You seem to like the alb." His Holiness said. After a moment’s hesitation the pope added: "Keep it as a memento of our night together." Before getting rid of Lucio the pope also threw a few coins into Lucio's lap. Sad Lucio got dressed and left the Papal palace, never to return.

Present day

Coldham Fintan Noose III was hit by the heat. He had arrived from Miami via London in Rome. He was tall, light ash blond and had blue grey eyes. His destination wasn't Rome, but he broke off the journey and stayed a night at the Eden.

Coldham Fintan Noose III spoke fluently Italian with an accent that was difficult to place.
He didn't like being called by his first name and was nick named Fin.

The next morning he rented a car to travel to Santa Trinita, a small village in the Abruzzi.
Fin had a certain target in mind. He checked into a B&B. When he showed his passport the female receptionist was delighted. "Oh, you are American! We have your sort very rarely here." She exclaimed. Fin didn't know if this was a good sign. The lady was nosy. "What is the reason for your stay?" "I'm here for your fabulous cuisine, especially the maccheroni alla chitarra and scrippelle 'mbusse." "That's true. We have the best cuisine in Italy. You should go to Trattoria Capetta. They serve the finest maccheroni in town." "Thanks for the recommendation. I will try it out."
The room was basic, but comfortable and airy. Fin napped for a few hours in the afternoon. On the way to the trattoria Fin checked out the building he was after. The security was low key and getting into it wasn't going to be a great issue.
Being hungry he tried the maccheroni (guitar pasta in spicy tomato sauce). It was delicious with simple, fresh ingredients. The owner was very proud of the dish, telling Fin the vegetables came from his brother's organic farm and the pasta was made in house daily. Having found a foreigner, who appreciated his wife's cooking, the owner decided to stuff his guest. The next course was crepes in chicken broth, also known as scrippelle 'mbusse. "Why don't you try the chicken? It's really good." Fin agreed. It had been roasted with peppers and onions. Fin loved the flavours. He refused the wine - not only because he had to drive the next morning. Fin wanted a clear head for his adventure during the night. The main course was followed by local cheese, a slice of almond cake and espresso. Fin was very full and thought he could never move again. Of course he managed to get up.

When everyone slept, Fin sneaked out of the B&B. It was a moonless night. He went to the old, crumbling house on Via L'Aquina. Fin used the back entrance. He had a torch and a few tools with him. Opening the door was child's play. Fin soon realized he had come too late. The complete content of the building had been removed. He wasn't upset, since he had a clue where to look next.

He called from his room. It was only early evening in Vancouver. Adam Granato picked up nearly immediately. "Hey, Adam, the house is empty. Could you do me a favour and send me the will? It should state who was receiving Pope Sixtus IV's alb." "No problem. Consider it done." Adam was good to his word. He had scanned in the document and sent it via email only six minutes later. Fin liked his new middle man. Dealing with Adam was much more pleasant than with his predecessor Damien.
Reading the will of Esposito Gianetto Fin found out the Pope's tunic had been given to a church called San Michele in a neighbour village. Based on that information Fin decided to stay a couple of nights more.

Beata, the receptionist, was delighted Fin liked the food so much he decided to extend his stay. He asked her what Villa Mattani had to offer. She suggested a few things he could explore and where to eat. One of the "must sees" was the Baroque church San Michele.

Fin pretended to be sightseeing and also ventured to the church. He tried to figure out where the community would keep such an important inheritance. The will had been only recently read, so there was a chance that no decision had been made what to do with the alb or it might was still with the lawyer, who was responsible to enforce the will.

As luck was having it Fin arrived just in time to see a group of older women surrounding a middle aged priest, bent over something, excited and curious. The priest told his congregation they were very lucky and that he would keep the alb securely in sacristy's safe. Fin pretended to be interested in the architecture and paintings of San Michele, but listened in carefully. It was easy to make out where the sacristy was and also to check what kind of security was in place. Gaining access required a bit more skill. Fin withdrew to the next bar to work out a plan. The entrance to the sacristy was walled in - only one way to get in or out. It could work to Fin's advantage or disadvantage, depending on the situation. At least it made detection of him more difficult during night. There was no CCTV, so that was good. Fin decided to break in within the next few days as long as there was New Moon.

"I'm looking for a night club." Fin told Beata, who liked the American. She advised him with a smile and they flirted a bit. It didn't matter Beata had a boyfriend or Fin was married.
The night club was Fin's cover, spending a few hours there, before going to the church. The gate leading to the sacristy had been locked, so Fin used his lock pick to open it. He did the same with the sacristy door. Each lock didn't keep Fin longer than a few minutes. He only used a torch to search for the safe. Locating it, Fin paused to find a solution how to break into the safe. It was an old one, so Fin used a stethoscope. It was tricky, but in the end Fin had the code broken. The alb was there. Fin took the whole content of the safe. He didn't want to make it too obvious what he had been looking for. Suddenly Fin heard someone approaching on the gravel outside the sacristy. Fin grabbed all his things and tested the door leading to the church. It was open. Fin went through. His heart was racing. He was thinking furiously what to do next. Fin found a hiding space, going up the stairs to the organ. It gave him an overview of the church. Fin switched off the torch. Fin's eyes needed a few seconds to adjust to the darkness. He knelt in the front pew; his eyes barely looking over the barrier. The door opened and someone used a torch; passing the light beam across the church. Fin ducked and held his breath. There were steps walking towards the entrance of the building. Fin heard the big gate rattling. The steps returned and stopped at the stair case. Fin swore silently. He didn't dare to move and hoped the person wasn't going up. He was unlucky, so Fin had to find a better hiding place. He stepped as quietly as possible behind the one end of the organ that wasn't facing the stairs. He prayed whoever was searching wasn't going to be very thorough. If not he would use the surprise momentum, tackle the stranger and throw him over the balustrade. Fin didn't like violence or killing someone, but he couldn't afford to be identified or caught. The steps approached and the torch lit up Fin. He was ready to action his plan, but stopped in his tracks. A second person called from the ground: "Hey, Charles, did you find any intruder?" Charles Harold Fox, another burglar and familiar with Fin, but not exactly a friend, replied immediately. "No. There's nobody. Damn, we have missed the chance to steal the alb!" "Ah, don't take it too hard. There are going to be other jobs. Are you coming down?" "Sure." Charles had turned and was about to leave. Fin whispered: "Meet me at Trattoria Capetta at noon." Charles didn't react.

Fin arrived a few minutes early and chose a seat on the terrace, so Charles hadn't problems spotting him. Massimiliano, the owner of the trattoria, was surprised by Fin's new seating arrangement. He normally preferred a table indoors. The unasked question was answered when a slight built man with green grey eyes and light brown hair in his thirties joined Fin. Massimiliano didn't speak English, but the body language of both his customer's was tense. "Don't you have some goods to deliver?" Charles asked. "It has a bit time." Fin replied. "Why have you invited me?" Charles' voice was harsh. "To gloat?" Fin shook his head. "No. First of all thanks for not letting on to your partner that I was there and second not trying to take the clothing from me." "I might not like you, but I'm a gentleman and follow the code." Fin's mouth quirked upwards. The feeling was mutual. They respected each other and that was what counted. "Yeah, I know. Come, sit down, have lunch on me and I have a proposal to make." When the two men seemed more relaxed, Massimiliano approached. Fin ordered a Garibaldi and Charles an Americano as Aperitivo. They shared an Antipasti platter and followed Massimiliano's advise to have the polenta with spicy sausage sauce. When the food arrived, Fin asked: "What about if I give you twenty percent of my earnings from this job? I'm indebted to you..." "Shove the money up your ass!" Fin wasn't too happy about Charles outburst. Fin had under estimated Charles' pride and was about to apologize when Charles continued: "You don't owe me anything, Coldham Fintan. When you found and kept my daughter save, I was indebted to you, that's settled now. Okay?" Fin nodded. "Alright. How is your family?" Charles glared at Fin. He had two daughters and two sons. The last thing on Charles' mind was discussing them with his biggest competitor. He was short. "Good. I've heard you have married your Latina... Congratulations." Fin knew Charles tried to aggravate
him and remembered Fin's wife's name. He didn't react - at least not as Charles expected him to. "Thanks. We have now a year old daughter. Her name is Casey." Against Charles' will his ears pricked. "What is she like?" He asked interested. "She looks like Frieda and takes after me character wise. She's a bit shy, but intelligent." Charles snorted. "Doesn't every dad believe their child is the cutest and most intelligent?" Fin laughed. "True." He admitted. "Please indulge me and have a look at a photo of hers." "Just one?" Charles asked. "Just one - I don't carry an album with me." Fin reassured Charles. Fin handed Charles the photograph. Charles had to agree. Casey looked very much like Frieda. Massimiliano had hovered in the back ground and now also commented: "Hai una bellissima figlia." Fin thanked the trattoria's owner. Massimiliano thought Casey was beautiful. After lunch Fin and Charles went separate ways.

There wasn't much left to do for Fin. He packed and told Beata he was leaving the next morning. She was sad.
Fin booked a flight from Rome to Sao Paulo to deliver the stolen item. At the airport he changed into a cassock. Fin was prepared in case customs wanted to check his luggage. His suitcase was packed with albs and cassocks. Everything went smoothly and Fin was treated with reverence.

When Fin met Lyn Rodriguez at the bar of the Fasano Hotel he was dressed in his normal outfit - Armani from head to toe and completely in black.
Lyn had been impressed. It hadn't taken more than a months from contacting Adam to holding Mr. Brasileiro's alb in hand. He was going to continue doing business with Adam Granato.

Cagney Brasileiro was happy as a child when he finally received Pope Sixtus IV's alb. He added it to his vast collection of Pope Memorabilia, some of the items were legitimate acquired, others not.

© 2014