Raise by A Thief

Chapter 9

Alexa POV

Harry drove and put me down few blocks from the city hall, it was the first day of the exhibition where the ring will be showed.

I went inside the hall and watch some painting, antiques and jewellery on displayed. I saw some cops on the scene, guarding. And then Agent Thompson was there, talking with his partner, agent Gray. Why are they here?

He didn't looked at me or recognize me, because my appearance was totally different from smart reporter Maddie or a tomboy Alexa. I was a high school nerd now. With thick glasses and two pony tail, and wear sweater with checker printed and a trouser, not to forget a pair of brown sneaker. I brought couple of books in my hands. And of course the glasses is not an ordinary glasses. It had camera like the last one.

I looked around to search for the security system, and then when no one near me, I walked slowly to the office where the safe was. Just to looked at the hallway, and the facilities surround. I think it could be easier than the one in the museum. Not soo much security system and camera, but I still need max to handle some cameras. I already had a plan in my head how to do it. And then I went back to where Harry wait for me.

" To frank house, Harry" I said as I open my two ponytail and change to a ponytail and took off my glasses.

I told Harry to go to frank and talked to him about anything, while I went to his room from Outside window. I claimbed up to second floor. His wife just got out of his room when I reach the window.

I can heard Harry's voice talking to the guard downstairs when I open Frank bedroom and step inside. I looked around and thinking where he possibly keep his safe box. I took a peek on some paint in the wall, and I finally found it. I tried to concentrate on unlocking the safe like Max always taught me. And after a few minute I managed to open the safe. I checked some book inside and found this ledger book with brown cover. I took it and put it in my waistbag. I close the safe like it used to and then walked outside and climbing down thru the terrace outside.

And then I go back to my car and phone called Harry, telling him that I'm done. And I wait for Harry to return.

But he didn't return. So I decided to go inside the house and pretending I want to talk to Frank.

I told the guard that I want to talked with frank, and he let me in after searching me over. I don't have gun or anything danger with me. A guard escort me to his office, and I hear a lot of noise like a fighting people. The guard knocked and opened the door once he heard frank answer to come in.

I saw Harry had been beaten up.

" What the hell?" I yelled as I walked to Harry.

" Well well Alexa. What can I do for you?" frank said

" What did you do to him?" I asked him angry. I help Harry to stand up.

" Well, he came here and make trouble in the house. So he deserve it." he said.

" You know I can't do the job without him." I told Frank.

" It's not my fault. So what are you doing here Alexa? " he asked me

" I just want to tell you me plan to steal the ring. But I think you don't need to know now. " I said make an excuse.

" Come on Harry, lets go. " I said as I took Harry with me. His guard got in my way, trying to prevent me from walking out of his office

" Let them go, I'm done with Harry" frank said and laugh. Damn you! I curse.

The guard stepped aside give us way. We walked outside Frank office to the corridor and to the entrance door.

" Harry, what did you do? I told you to distract, not making your self killed! " I asked him in lower voice once we got outside the house.

" Well, this is how to distract a mobster Alexa." he said caughing.

I put him on pessanger seat and drove away from frank house.

" I take you to hospital Harry" I said, worried with his conditions.

" No, Alexa. If I'm in hospital, I can't help you." he said holding his stomach. He looked terrible.

" Don't worry about that Harry." I said. I didn't want to lose more people I care because of me. I had to saved him first.

I took Harry to hospital and get him in Emergency room right away.

" Help my dad! He got into a fight! Please help Him! Please" I said as I cried. I might exaggerated, I just need him to be taken care of.

Nurses came helping me and carried him to the bed.

" what is his name?"

"Harry Perkins" I answer and gave them his real name. Harry was not an outlaw. He never been caught, he done his job clean, so he should be fine.

The nurses and doctor got him and help him. I move backward slowly and leave the hospital. He will be okay.

I drove my car to Harry house. I took my stuff and everything connect to the robbery with me. I should not leave any trace on Harry. I walked out of Harry's house and then drove away to find a motel room.

I'm alone now, but I really need someone to help me with the robbery tomorrow. Someone who had skill like Harry and someone I can trust.

I don't have so much time, but I think I know who the person I who can help me. Just hope he would do it for me.

So I phone call him, and asked him to meet me.

" Alexa?" he asked me.

" Ya, it's me. Can I meet you? I have something to talked about." I said.

" Are you in trouble?" He asked me.

" Yes, I need your help. Please. " I told him the truth. Lying won't help either.

" Okay, do you know the game station?" he asked me

" Yes." I answered.

" Meet me there at 8" he said.

" OK, I'll be there." I replied

" Alexa" he called my name.

" Ya?"

" I'm sorry about your dad, for your loss" he said.

I sighed and closed my eyes, hold my nose bridge not to let my self cried, remembering Max. I just lose him, and now I had to do this robbery without Harry.

" Thank you." I said shortly and then hanged up the phone.

I came to the game station early, and I wait for him. It was crowded with boys and girls playing games. I wasn't sure it was the right place to met him, too much people and too noisy to talked something important.

" Hey, come with me" he said, pat my shoulder. I didn't see him coming, he just got here at a sudden.

I followed him passing a door at the back with 'staff only' sticker to the back of game station. He greet some boys and they greet him back. And then we enter a room, a quite room with a lot of computers. And we took a seat. What is this? A secret room or something?

" What can I do for you Alexa? If that really are your name?" he asked me smiling.

"I'm in trouble Brian." I told him.

" Ya, I know. You must dealing with something dangers, that's why you hide." he said. He always suspicious about that.

"But, if you want my help, you must tell me all the story." he said" I should know what am I dealing with"

" Where should I start?" I asked him.

" From the beginning." he said.

" It's a long story Brian" I said

" We have time." he replied. Okay.

I started to told him my story from when the scar man kidnapped me until Max saved me.

" The kidnapper still looking for you?" he asked me.

" Yes, that's why you can't find me anywhere in the net. Thats the answer of your previous question Brian. From who Max and I are hiding from." I explained.

" And he killed Max?" he asked. I nodded.

" I'm really sorry Alexa. " he said.

" He died because of me. Protecting me. " I said.

" Don't blame your self. He care for you. That's what people do. " He said comfort me.

" This why you came to me? Because of the kidnapper? " he asked me after awhile.

" Not really. I have other problem. "I said.

And then I started to told him about Frank, how he force Max and I do robberies, until Harry got hurt.

" It was really you who stole that necklace?" he asked me, just to make sure.

" Yeah. I had to." I said

" You really good, aren't you? I saw your video on the net... That was awesome! Seriously, I would think if that was you." he said

" But I always knew there is something unusual about you. I just don't expected that you have a lot of trouble Alexa" he said shook his head.

" Apparently." I said. " That's why I need your help Brian."

" You see... You are good with the computers, and I can't do the robbery by my self. I need your help. I have to saved Kate." I told him.

He looked at me.

" How can I help you?" He asked me

" I need you to help me with the security system and camera in the city hall. Can you?" I asked him.

" You know its against the law. " he said crossing his arms in front of his chest. Was he going to say no?

" Look Brian, I know its against the law, but I can't save Kate if you don't help me. Please." I begged him.

" What if you got caught?" he asked me.

" I won't said your name. You just walked out and go. I know you could cut off your trace. Noone will found about you helping me. "

" I have to do this Brian, I need your help. Do it for Kate, if you don't want to do it for me. Please.. " I gave him puppy looked.

" And what did I get for return? " he said rising his brows.

I don't know what I can give him for return. I barely have nothing.

" What do you want? " I asked him finally after I can't think any answer.

" A diner. " he said.

What? He want a diner?

" A diner with me? Is that what you want?" I asked him disbelieve with what I heard. And he nodded.

" So, you agree?" he asked me

Of course I agree. I smile wide. I asked him a date once, a diner would not a big deal.

" Deal" I said as I offer him my hand, and we shook hands.

I told him all my plan about the robbery, and we watch the video recorder on the city hall I took earlier this morning.

" Why you looking at the agent all the time?" he asked me.

" No, I did not." I said. Gosh.. Is that the only thing he notice from all 40 minutes record?

" Yes, you are." he said. Oh week, I did looked at him few times, but not all the time. I swear!

" Okay, I take a look at him because I met him before. And he almost caught me when I stole the necklace. He is the one who investigate Brian, I just being caution. That's all. ". I explained.

" Yeah right, Alexa" He said, "or am I supposed to called you Julie? "

" Just Alexa please. I don't want anyone else know about me. " I told him.

" Okay Alexa. Your secret save with me. " he said smiling. He paid attention to the video on his laptop carefully.

" Brian, if anything happen to me tomorrow, I want you to leave. Don't tried to help me. I will find my own way. " I told him. I don't want he got into trouble.

" Don't worry about me--" he said

" No, promise me Brian!" I insist him. I don't want him to do stupid things by saving me.

" Alright, I promise. " he said.

" but I hope you gonna be fine tomorrow. "he added.

" Let's hope for the best" I said gave him small smile.

" Alright, then it's settle then." He said " Is there anything else I should know about our plan?"

" I think that's all. I'll let you know if I had anything coming" I said S I grab my backpack about to got out of his place.

" and one more things... Can you keep this for me? " I said as I gave him the key that max gave me. I thinked it was safer if Brian had it for awhile. I don't know what will happen tomorrow, and I want to kept what ever max left for me in safe hand.

" Sure. It will be safe with me. " he said as he took the key from me.

" Thank you Brian. " I said before I leave him and walked out of the games centre.

He walked with me to the door, and wave me when I looked back at him.

I had the feeling that he own the games centre, but I didn't asked. It wasn't my concern right now.

****

The next morning I went to the hospital to visit Harry. I wear my jeans and hood top and a glasses. I asked the nurse at the nurse station where Harry's room was. The nurse gave me his room number and the direction.

I open his room door and found him in hospital bed. He looked better, but both of his hand being cast.

"Alexa!" he said half screaming.

" Hi Harry, how are you?"

" feel better." so what we have to do now? I can walked but my hand... " he said looking at his hands.

" I know. It's fine. I got help from a friend. He will cover you. " I said.

" Really? Are you sure? " he asked me to make sure.

" Yes, Harry." I said convincing him.

" Thank goodness! Is there anything I can help?" he asked.

" Yes actually. I still need a van. Do you still have it? " I asked him

" Yes, sure. Let me make a phone call." he said.

" Can you take my phone and dial Ty" he asked me. His eyes pointing to his phone on the table.

I took his phone and search Ty name. I dial as soon as I found it, and hold that phone for him.

He talked to his friend for few minutes to delivery the van as his request few days ago.

" Its done now. This afternoon at 5 near the gas station" he said " can you saved his phone number on yours? "

" Sure" I said as I save Ty phone number on my phone.

" Harry, how you did all your things with your hands like that?" I asked him. I can't help my self not to asked.

" Ah, good things you bring me to the hospital. Well, the nurses were really care for me." he said wiggling his brow in funny ways. And I laugh.

" I'm glad you enjoyed it. " I said in amuse.

" I guess..." he said.

" Anyway, Good luck Alexa! I'm sorry I can't help you." he said.

" You help me already Harry, thank you." I said as I hugged him. And then I said good bye to him.

I leaved the hospital and came back to my room at the motel and take some time to rest. I really need it now.

****

Brian and I already in the van closed enough to the city hall. It was 1 am, the road was quite.

" Are you ready?" Brian asked me. I can feel that he asked that to him self as well.

" Ya," I said. I already wearing my black bodysuit and put my earpiece in my ear.

" If I get caught, I want you to leave Brian. Cut all the connection to me. Don't worry about me." I said. He looked at me.

" I'll do that, but I still wait for the diner." he said smiling. I smiled.

" Okay, let's try this" I said as I turn on my ear piece.

" Is that clear?" he asked.

" clear" I answer and took of my jacket.

" I go now Brian, wish me luck" I said.

" Good luck and be careful" he said. I nodded and wear my mask on.

I walked out of the van quietly and walked to the back of the city hall. Climbed up the fence and sneaking to the building. I looked around, only 1 guard in the corner and it seems that he slept. I open one of the back window and coming in quitely. I saw a security camera and put the device on using a chair to get to the cable.

" Bry, you got it?" I asked him

" Okay, wait a moment." he said. I heard him typing on his computer

" It's clear now. I can see all the camera in the building." he said.

" Anything suspicious?" I asked. I feel that something is wrong, but I don't know what.

" No, nothing. It was quite. " he said.

" Okay. " I said

I Walked quitely in the hallway to the office where the safe was. It was dark and Noone in the building.

I get to the office and looked in the dark.

" I see the safe" I told Brian.

" Okay, becarefull" Brian told me

The safe was big enough for a man to walked. It has 2 door. I open the first door and meet the security key. I took my tool from my backpack and start to check for the key number.

" Did you open it?" he asked me

" Not yet. It took sometimes to get the number." I said.

Took 5 minutes until I get the number and open the safe.

" I got it" I said as I walked inside the safe box and looked around for the ring.

" It must be somewhere here" I said.

I open some boxes and looked around for the ring. It should be somewhere not to hard to find, because tomorrow it would be on display.

I looked around once again, and my eyes stopped at a small safe box, the one you can carried around, and I open it. And there you go. The ring that I look for. I got it.

" I found it Bry" I said

" Okay, take it and get out of there."

" Okay," I said as I took the ring and put it in my backpack.

I closed the safe box slowly didn't want to make any noise.

" Alexa, I see movement in the hallway. Get out of there." he said.

" What movement?" I asked him, try to hear clearly from the door. It was quite. I can't hear anyone walking or moving.

" I'm out now. " I said as I think it was save enough.

" becarefull, I'm sure I saw something." Brian warned me.

I open the door and looked around the hallway. It was empty. I walked sneaking to the window in the back, where I came in.

" Freeze!!" I hear a voice and then a gun been clocked. Not again! Why he always caught me?

I raise both of my hand reflectly.

" Alexa, its the agent. " Brian said. I know it was his voice.

" Don't do anything stupid this time" Jack yelled at me.

And then I saw few men around me.

" and 2 cops" he said.

I looked around. 3 man were to many, I cant fight them all. They all have a gun. I'm not sure if I can beat them. Unless... if they came one by one.

"Hold on Bry "I said to Brian.

" Did you say something?" Jack asked me from behind.

"Who do you talked to?" Jack asked me again, louder.

" No one" I said loud.

" Hand on the ground" he said.

I did what he said. And the 2 cops from my left side walked closer to me. I feel a man grab my wrist, and before he took my other wrist, I turned around and kick the cop's legs until he fall down and I took his gun.

I put the gun on his temple. I know how to use a gun, but I never meant to use it. I just bluffed to get out of here.

" Move back!" I said to the other cop and Jack. The other cop move back.

" Put the gun down" Jack said to me.

" No! You two, put the gun down!", I bluffed to them. I warned them.

" Okay," Agent Thompson said as he told the cop to put his gun down and so did he.

I was glad he put the gun down, as I started to walked backward to the window.

" Don't do this, you are not a killer" Jack said, looking to my eyes.

" Don't followed me" I said to make him stop move forward. I kept walked backward, holding a gun and the cop in my arm.

And then I feel a sting in my neck, like an electric shoot, make me in shocked and I feel my body limp. l felt a pair of hand catch me from behind before I felt to the ground.

" Go Bry! Disconnect." I whisper to Brian

" Alexa?"

" Now" I said in between my unconscious. And I hear Brian disconnect me.

I can see Agent Thompson and the cop run to me. My eyes getting blur, but I can feel my hand been cuff and it became dark. I open my eyes and see Agent Thompson and agent Gray in front of me. I felt something was pulled out from my head.

" Maddie?" his voice said, and then it was dark. I feel nothing. See nothing.