Atlas Montes, probably the best female hacker and pickpocket of Spain, just wanted to rob a store with her brother. He would go in while she sits in a café opposite the street and hacks the security system and cameras. It always went like this, go i...
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"What games did you play at recess as a child?"
The Inspector didn't answer for some time, and Atlas had the idea to answer instead. She picked up a random pen laying on the table and scribbled something down before passing it over to the Professor, who gazed over. He observed her face for short, before looking down on the scribble.
𝒾 𝒶𝓁𝓌𝒶𝓎𝓈 𝓅𝓁𝒶𝓎ℯ𝒹 '𝓈𝓉𝓊𝓰 𝒾𝓃 𝓉𝒽ℯ 𝓂𝓊𝒹' :)
Sergio let a little smile form on his face, and that caused her to do the same.
"... Jump rope, kick the can, buck buck.. I played hopscotch, too. I was very good at that."
"I played cops and robbers. Do you know it? The cops had to catch the robbers. When they did, they got you. But I don't have a single memory of a child... surrendering before getting caught."
"Children on the playground aren't looking at going to prison for eight to 16 years."
"You're right. You're absolutely right. That's why I asked my team."
Edinburgh chuckled, his smile growing even wider.
"We voted, and you know what? We're optimistic. In the end, we decided to go for zero years of prison."
They didn't really vote before this conversation, the team voted at the beginning of planning this whole heist, four months ago when the Professor told them at the first day the basics.
"A lot of people are suffering. What do you plan to do?"
"Get a pen and paper."
He turned to Atlas, who nodded and shoved the website he needed over to the screen in front of him. His talking was fast while his eyes flickered between the screen and the chalk board behind it, where the main points of the plan were listed. "I need a truck, with three axles that can hold 18 tons, escorted by two tankers full of propane gas and the ship Malaika with a flag of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines. Sound familiar? It's the one you seized nine months ago with 2,800 kilos of cocaine. It's docked in the military port of Ferrol."
"It won't be easy to get the green light for your demands, due to... logistical issues and safety concerns."
"Imagine this: a building collapses... and 67 people are inside. How many units would you mobilize to save the lives of innocent people? Inspector, let's be clear here. You only have two choices. One, punish us. Two, save lives, And I'm afraid you can't choose both."
Slowly he stood up, stopping right in front of the board.
"I'm going to make you a promise-"
Suddenly something rang and Sergio turned around to the computers, looking at Atlas who mouthed, 'It's his mother'. He nodded, before letting out a breath and turned back again.
"If you don't punish us, i'll give you those 67 hostages safe and sound once we're in international waters. I assure you, that wasn't my first choice. I hate the sea, fish, and sand on the beach."
Atlas did too.
"But life doesn't always give you an easy way out, does it?"
He hung up, turning around to the blond again. She picked up the phone and handed it to him, who put the voicemail on loud. "I got a message from my son this morning from this phone. I don't.. I'm Juan Murillo's mother, and I can't find him. Please, do you know where he is? It's urgent."
The voicemail ended, and Atlas looked up at him, who was still standing, knowing he was making up a hundred plans again.
Sergio turned around to her, and as soon as his eyes found hers he seemed to have forgotten everything, why he was there, what he had planned, what he just thought of and why he existed. Atlas' orbs were so deep and bright, it was like two planets staring back at him. He was moon struck.
"I have to go." He finally managed to get out, yet his eyes not leaving hers.
Atlas just nodded in understatement. There was no exchange of words needed, just the two in their own little bubble, somehow being deep in each other's minds. In multiple ways.
