A case of pies and plotting

Ch.2 Preparations and Pies

Gordon tossed anxiously as he tried sleeping, gut still twisted from Mrs. Wilberforce's mysterious pastries. While the others shrugged off effects after napping, Gordon's unease remained unsettled. He feared their escalating plans more with each disclosure to the snooping landlady downstairs.

Rays of dawn broke through curtains as Gordon rose, dressing hurriedly to pace the hallway. Spying light under Professor's door, Gordon knocked tremblingly. Come, entered Professor's summon while reviewing casino blueprints. We must finalize arrangements today.

Gordon blurted his reservations, now convinced Mrs. Wilberforce knew too much. She'll tell the authorities! We should call it off before— His protest drowned beneath derisive laughter from others joining them. Fear not, Professor soothed. I've ensured our esteemed host poses no threat.

Indeed, the landlady's meddling spurred Professor to accelerate timetables. Still, one final reconnaissance trip was required before enacting their grand scheme that weekend. By afternoon, the five collaborators loaded supplies and gear into an unmarked van. Now for the pièce de résistance—a tour of our target, Professor announced with a flourish.

They arrived under dusk's cover outside lavish Monte Carlo Casino, bustling with well-dressed gamblers. Trundling maintenance carts inside, Professor's team feigned repair duties while surreptitiously mapping ventilation ducts and maintenance tunnels backstage. Despite increasing dread, even Gordon had to admit their leader's cunning preparations left little to chance.

Meanwhile, Mrs. Wilberforce labored over batches of pies all morning, perfecting flavors and textures. Perhaps a few more pastries delivered upstairs could elicit further gossip, she mused. But how to win their business again without arousing further wariness? Her quandary dissolved upon glimpsing posters advertising Monte Carlo's gala exhibition night. ​​

Mrs. Wilberforce decided complimentary cuisine might garner an invitation. That evening, she knocked hopefully bearing trays stacked high with tarts, cakes and breads. Dear boarders, do enjoy these treats for your studies. And please, do say if any wish joining me at Monte Carlo's festivities this weekend, she proposed artfully.

Though still suspicious, Professor saw opportunity in the ruse. Why not humor the woman a while longer, keeping enemies closer than friends as the saying goes. My dear colleague Gordon simply adores such cultural events, he declared, feigning encouragement while pinning Gordon with a threatening gaze. The anxious man forced laughter, caught in their tangled web.

Meanwhile Mrs. Wilberforce beamed, securing her slot inside their target location come Saturday. Little did the criminals suspect their sweet-talking landlady now held an ace up her paisley sleeve. All pieces moved decisively into place for the heist, though lurking forces threatened mutiny brewing amid both parties' intricate games of deception and danger. Only time would reveal the true victors of their volatile gambit unfolding that fateful weekend at Monte Carlo Casino.