The Remote Seduction Page 6

  Sully looks more devastated and heartbroken than Katrina did last night when she hacked Walter's computer.

  “When are you going to get the remote?” Richard wants to know.

  “We'll keep you posted,” Felix answers.

  Walter looks like he could kill both Katrina and Felix. “I don't trust either of you. This reeks of a ruse.”

  “Not every one is as deplorable as you all,” Katrina glares at Walter as she stands up.

  “I believe the lady asked you to leave,” Felix advises.

  Richard, Walter and the two agents head out of the store followed by Sully.

  Felix looks at Katrina and gives her one heck of a smile. “Good luck,” he says, the two words layered with several meanings. Their eyes lock again tempting to turn into yet another combustible moment. Felix, smiling wide, shakes his head as if brushing off erotic thoughts, the very same thoughts Katrina is having, which she picks up on from his expression. “I better go…” he clicks out of the Skype conversation. She beams as her cheeks flush.

  Outside of the Chick Lit Bookstore…

  Sully turns from the SUV and hurries back inside the store.

  Inside the Chick Lit Bookstore…

  He gets as close to Katrina as he can until she steps back. He tries to lock eyes with her, to ignite a connection like the one he saw between Katrina and Felix.

  “It was real. It was real,” he says with heartfelt conviction. “Please don’t forget what I said when we were making love.”

  He turns and leaves. The interaction with Sully rattles her as memories of their magical date, their lovemaking and the fact that she does believe his conviction, sneak past her defenses.

  Outside of the Chick Lit Bookstore…

  Richard opens the front passenger door of the first SUV. There's a post-it stuck on the dashboard. Richard pulls the post-it off and reads it: Pick Katrina up at 2:00am.

  Richard shows Walter and Sully the post-it. “Tonight we move,” Richard sneers, looking like he’s finally close to his prize and honoring the threat he made a year ago.

  *****

  Katrina rows down the urban river in her single person scull. She's especially focused and determined, trying to work out all of her conflicted feelings and her nervousness before the remote theft later this evening.

  She finishes up her workout and rows over to a dock, parking her scull. As she gets out of her scull Walter approaches, joining her on the dock.

  Katrina is so not happy to see him. “Geezus. What do you want?”

  “So, your ride last night, I suspect it wasn’t in a beat up Nova,” Walter quips.

  Katrina ignores him.

  “Your new friend Felix isn't as noble as you may think he is. He stole the remote to rent it out to the highest bidder. There have been at least a half dozen known accidents attributed to the remote that have caused over five hundred deaths worldwide. See for yourself.”

  Walter hands a folder to Katrina. She opens it up and sees support documents regarding the various events allegedly caused by Felix and the remote.

  Walter continues. “Yeah, boo hoo, we played you. But it will have been worth it to the world once we get that remote out of the free market and back under the protection of the government. You were fooled by Sully. Don't be fooled by Felix.”

  Walter walks away from Katrina. But then turns back, sporting a snarky grin. “You should thank us for having Sully pretend to be your buddy Paolo,” he chuckles. “If you only knew who the real Paolo was.”

  “Whoever he is he's been a treasured friend and your spiteful and despicable actions will never take that away from me,” Katrina proclaims.

  Walter walks away. Katrina flips through the documents. She doesn’t want to believe this about Felix. The moment in the limo, their connected moment where he asked her to trust him replays in her mind. But he did pick her up in a limo and after what Sully did to her, can she really trust the intense connection she feels with Felix?

  *****

  It’s late night. The two dark SUVs arrive and park in front of the Chick Lit Bookstore.

  Walter and his two agents are in one SUV; Richard, Sully and another agent are in the other. Sully gets out. He enters the bookstore, looking pretty nervous.

  Katrina, dressed in dark clothes, wearing sneakers, total cat burglar, is by the counter placing a small high-tech handheld computer into its case.

  “Are you ready?” Sully asks trying not to sound like there are a million thoughts and feelings running through his mind.

  “Just about,” she replies. Katrina puts a small stack of paper clipped index cards with hacker "cheat sheet" notes on them into the case. She places the strap of the case over her shoulder leaving her hands and arms free. She and Sully head out of the store. She locks the door.

  They approach the SUV. Sully opens the back door. Katrina hops in, followed by Sully.

  Inside the SUV…

  “Where to, Miss Brice?” Richard asks, getting right down to business.

  “We have two stops to make this evening. The first stop is at the house of Sigmund Rothberg, a wealthy patron of the arts. I have to hack into his computer to obtain a sequence I will need at the second location,” Katrina relates.

  “Is Mr. Rothberg home?” Sully asks.

  “No, he's in Europe. The security system at his house is pedestrian. I should be in and out,” Katrina answers.

  The two SUVs arrive and park near the gate of what they believe, including Katrina, to be the estate of Sigmund Rothberg. It’s really Felix’s home.

  Katrina opens the door to get out.

  “I'm going with you,” Sully offers.

  Katrina shoots him down. “No. I can handle this on my own. I'll be back in a few minutes,” Katrina gets out and shuts the door behind her.

  Katrina walks from the SUV over to the entrance. Assuming the gate is locked, she climbs over it. Katrina proceeds down the winding driveway headed for the dark Gothic manor.

  She stops, removes her handheld and remotely accesses information about the estate's security system. The motion sensors and the security cameras have been turned off, which seems odd to Katrina.

  She continues on to the house and reaches the front door. With her handheld computer directed at the security pad located on the inside of the house next to the front door she accesses information about the house's security system.

  Again she discovers that everything has been turned off. This really confuses her. She tries the door. It's unlocked. She cautiously enters the manor.

  Inside the manor there are just enough dim lights on for Katrina to see things. She looks around - the place is an eclectic mix of old world charm, Spanish flavor and Mediterranean romance. Katrina listens. She hears water. She warily follows the sound of the water.

  She reaches a room where the door is ajar. The sound of water emanates from this room, as does the flickering light of fire. She enters the room, marveling at the wall-to-wall state-of-the-art computer technology and entertainment center.

  There's a water feature in the room, the source of the sound. A fire crackles in the fireplace. Comfortable leather chairs and a chenille sofa face the fireplace and the massive entertainment center.

  Katrina, smiling as if things are clicking into place in her mind, takes a seat by the fireplace. She casually looks at the basket filled with regular ole remotes for the entertainment center and gas fireplace. Felix enters the room and joins her, taking the seat next to hers.

  “There's nothing here that I need that will help me retrieve the remote is there?” She asks him.

  “No there isn't. I wanted to see you before the event, to wish you good luck,” Felix says locking eyes with Katrina.

  She looks away, not wanting to be transfixed by him. “This is quite the grand home, how did you pay for it?” Katrina asks.

  Felix senses her unease. “Not with ill gotten gains from the remote. I’m sure that’s what Walter and Richard want you to believe. Are they trying to convince
you that I'm playing you?”

  “Aren't you? You’re the one who called this a chess match. I’m just a pawn.”

  Felix takes Katrina’s hand in his, willing her to look at him. She does, their eyes lock and again they are transported to that place and time where only they matter, nothing else. His touch, his eyes, erasing every doubt she had. Their hearts pound in unison, their breathing shallows, if there wasn’t so much on the line at this very moment he would sweep her in his embrace and never let her go.

  “At the moment, we are all pawns,” he says, his voice soothing, seductive - even loving. “By night's end it all will become very clear to you and you will see the serendipity of this crazy situation.”

  “That’s the second time you used that word,” Katrina points out.

  “It’s applicable. When you retrieve the remote, and I have every bit of confidence that you will, please note the location. It was chosen in honor of someone who is cherished above all else,” he says with great feeling.

  She stands. “I better get going.” Felix stands. He so wants to take her in his arms and kiss her, but he doesn’t want to do anything to avert her focus, it is going to be tough getting the remote. So instead he tenderly touches her cheek. Out of instinct and desire, she moves into his touch as his finger strokes her cheek. She closes her eyes relishing the feeling and the moment.

  Moments later…

  Outside of the manor, Katrina walks down the driveway. This time instead of climbing over the gate, she just opens it and walks through. Katrina approaches the SUV and gets in.

  Inside the SUV…

  Richard looks at Katrina. “How did it go?”

  “Easier than I anticipated,” Katrina responds trying not to sound flushed.

  “Where to next?” He asks anxiously.

  “To the Museum of International Art,” Katrina tells him.

  *****

  The two SUVs drive past the museum - a fairly modern building in the heart of the city - and turn the corner. The vehicles park in a quiet alley behind the museum.

  Inside the SUV…

  Richard looks at the back of the museum. “You're fucking kidding me. The remote is hidden somewhere inside that museum?”

  “On the third floor in the Edward Harkness wing,” Katrina informs Richard.

  “So we have to break into a museum to retrieve the remote?” Sully asks.

  “I do, yes. Which can be done, but not easily. Felix designed the security system for this museum. Each section of the museum has its own security system. I will have to hack into each system, deactivate it and move on to the next system. The problem will be that each system reactivates itself after two minutes. If I haven't successfully made it to the next security system before the current security system reactivates itself, the whole place locks down and you can expect to see the arrival of law enforcement officials.” Katrina relates.

  “Why don’t we just wait until the museum is open and get the damn thing in the morning,” Richard figures.

  “Because Felix has rigged the remote to burn up if it’s not removed from its hiding spot by 4:00am,” Katrina tells Richard.

  “Since this is a federal building it will be a federal crime,” Sully realizes. He looks at Katrina. “I'm going with you. You're not doing this alone, and you’re certainly not going down for this if it doesn’t work out.”

  “It’s going to work out,” Katrina states with the utmost confidence.

  Sully and Katrina get out of their SUV. They approach the back entrance of the museum. Katrina takes the index cards from her handheld case still hung over her shoulder.

  She flips through her cheat sheet cards, which are floor plans to the museum. She reviews the cards and then puts them back into the case. She removes her handheld and a short cord with a magnetic power square on the end of it.

  “We have four systems to hack through giving us sixteen minutes to get in, get the remote, get back out,” Katrina tells Sully.

  “Let's do it,” Sully encourages.

  “You keep the time,” Katrina instructs Sully.

  Katrina sticks the power magnet at the end of the cord onto the security panel next to the back door. Time starts ticking. Holding the handheld in one hand, she types away with her right-hand, attempting to access this security system and deactivating its alarm.

  “One minute to go.”

  Katrina's fingers fly over the small keys. The lights on the panel go from red to green. Deactivation complete. The door opens automatically. Sully and Katrina hurry in.

  Inside the museum…

  Sully and Katrina run to the security panel next to the door leading into the heart of the museum. Katrina sticks the magnet onto the panel and types quickly. Sully keeps an eye on his watch. “Thirty seconds to go.”

  The lights on the panel go from red to green. Deactivation complete.

  Katrina and Sully sprint through the lobby and the first floor exhibit. This is a big area so the trek is eating up time. Sully and Katrina make it to the entrance to the stairway.

  Katrina sticks the magnet on the security panel next to the door.

  “We only have twenty seconds,” Sully tells Katrina trying not to sound nervous.

  Katrina remains calm while her typing speed increases.

  “Five seconds!”

  The lights on the panel go from red to green. Deactivation complete.

  Katrina and Sully fly up two flights to the third floor. Katrina sticks the magnet on the security panel next to the door. She types away on her handheld. Sully tries not to look stressed and impatient. “Thirty seconds.”

  The lights on the panel go from red to green. Deactivation complete.

  “Katrina and Sully book it to the Harkness wing, which luckily isn't too far from the stairway. This wing features a traveling exhibition of Italian art.

  Once they enter the wing Katrina approaches a stand in the middle of the room. On top of the stand is a beautiful vase inside a glass case.

  “Don't tell me the remote is inside the vase,” Sully groans.

  “Yuup,” Katrina places the magnet on the tiny security button on the case, types on her handheld and within seconds deactivates the case lock. Sully removes the case and Katrina retrieves the remote from inside the vase. Sully puts the case back on.

  There's a post-it on the back of the remote. The note on the post-it reads: "Turn around, Francesca."

  Katrina turns around and sees...the original Paolo Francesca painting hanging on the wall. She only has a second, but that is all it takes for her to feel the enormity of the moment and the realization that Felix is Paolo.

  “Come on, come on, come on!! We're not going to make it!” Sully hollers.

  They sprint to the stairway and with only one second to spare make it out of the third floor before the security system reactivates.

  Sully and Katrina make it back through the levels of security systems and hurry out of the museum. They approach the SUVs.

  Sully and Katrina open the car door to their SUV to find the agent has been shot dead and Richard is gagged with duct tape and handcuffed to the SUV’s steering wheel.

  With their guns drawn, Walter and his two agents surround Sully and Katrina.

  “What the hell, Walter?” Sully gasps, incredulously.

  “Give me the remote,” Walter demands.

  Katrina hands the remote, minus the post-it, to Walter without any defiance or resistance.

  “You three are about to witness how well this remote works. I've placed a bomb on the bottom of the SUV. Take a look,” Walter smirks.

  Sully bends down, he sees the bomb secured to the undercarriage of the car.

  “I will activate the bomb with the remote once we're a safe distance away.”

  “You friggin' traitor,” Sully scowls.

  Walter shrugs. “I love money more than country. And I hate Richard more than anything.”

  Walter handcuffs Sully and Katrina together. “Now get in the SUV,” Walter hollers. Sully and K
atrina follow his orders.

  “You are quite serene, Miss Brice, given the circumstances,” Walter notices.

  “Your actions don't surprise me in the least,” Katrina states calmly.

  With another set of handcuffs, Walter cuffs Katrina’s free hand to the handgrip inside the back of the SUV so she has one hand cuffed to Sully and one cuffed to the grip.

  “See you around,” Walter smirks, “in pieces in the alley in a few short moments.” Walter shuts the door trapping Sully, Katrina, Richard and the dead agent inside the vehicle.

  Walter and his two agents head back to their SUV.

  Inside Sully and Katrina’s SUV…

  Katrina motions to her handheld case. “There's a paper clip in there. How good are you at picking locks?” She asks Sully.

  Using his free hand Sully finds the clip, straightens it out and starts to pick the handcuff lock.

  In the alleyway…

  Walter and the two agents get in their SUV. That SUV backs down the alleyway.

  Inside Sully and Katrina’s SUV…

  Sully has successfully picked the lock on his handcuff and is now picking the other handcuff to free Katrina from the handgrip. Richard groans and mumbles "hurry" through the duct tape as he stresses out in the front seat.

  Inside Walter’s SUV…

  Walter, seated in front, holds the remote pointed at the other SUV. He looks at the agents. “How long should we make them suffer with anticipation?” Walter shit-eaten grins.

  Inside Sully and Katrina’s SUV…

  Sully has successfully picked Katrina's handcuff. He immediately starts on Richard's handcuff. Sully looks at Katrina, if this is it he wants her to know how he feels. “I love you now get out now car!!”

  “No. We need to all open our doors at the same time. As soon as Walter sees one door open, he'll detonate the bomb,” she points out.