[Irn0rchid]

Rose responds, "Oh, I didn't even notice there were no guards. Howard seemed normal when he talked to me. He propositioned me, as expected. Didn't seem like there was anything odd going on..." Following Elaine upstairs, she sends to Robin, <<Nothing seemed odd to me, but the guards not being here is weird. I thought they always followed him when he came home. Maybe I should have left the drone in there to spy on him. As long as whatever the issue is doesn't result in him removing the pottery, it doesn't really effect our job though.>> Unconcerned with Howard and content with her drone arrangements, Rose throws herself into the bedroom activities with the other two women. A little shocked by the two toys at first, she quickly accepts them and continues to enjoy herself, "I could certainly get used to this," she thinks. "I wonder how it would have gone had Robin came on to me earlier. Would it have worked out as well?"

Once they head back down for nourishment and video games, Rose is a bit worried at the maid's demeanor. "Did she find some evidence of the drones? Or see something earlier?" When the maid reveals the source of her dismay, Rose jumps on the opportunity. "Oooh, Elaine, you want to go check it out?" she asks, grinning mischievously. To the maid, "We can check and make sure nothing is amiss and then lock up after us."

[Mercy Merchant]

Elaine dismisses the maid after telling her that she will take care of it then looks at you.  "I don't know, actually.  It isn't usual for him to do this.  And it isn't usual for him to be here without his guards.  They are what I would describe as the jealous type."  She looks from you to the slightly open door and then back.  "I suppose we could take a peak about and see if something is wrong.?"

She walks to the door and opens it, revealing a blinking green light on the security panel.  "Looks like he did not even reset the alarms.  Now, that is very odd.  Whatever was on his mind must have been very important.  So, fancy getting a better look at all the pottery?"

[Irn0rchid]

"That's odd, he didn't seem worried or in any particular hurry when he came home. Certainly had time to spare to proposition me..." Bending over to look at the panel after Elaine does, she responds, "Well I don't care much about pottery, but I think anyone would be curious about a secret room! Lead on!" Rose shoots a quick message to Robin, <<This is weird, why would he just leave like this? I didn't think I was detected but... Maybe we need to move up the timetable?>>

[Mercy Merchant]

Elaine nods and pulls the door open enough to walk through it, leading the way down a carpeted hall with muted accent lights providing illumination.  Robin brings up the rear.  >>Just took a call from the mage.  He is heading over to do a scan of some kind and will contact me again when he is closer.<<  The hall has a gentle downward slope and goes for maybe fifty feet before opening into a huge underground room.  There is pottery everywhere.  Elaine stops just inside and shakes her head.  "There certainly is more of it than when I was last down here.  So, do you want to look around or look at his office, which is just over there?  I am still a bit surprised that we can even get access here."

[Irn0rchid]

<<Okay, great. If he can do his part quickly, maybe we can finish this job today before whatever is bothering Howard comes to a head.>> Following Elaine down the ramp, Rose starts for a moment when she sees the full room, "This place is huge! Did he have this built himself?" Starting to wander around apparently aimlessly, she starts comparing the contents of the front area with the recording from the drone to see if anything has changed. "He really loves this stuff, huh?" Once done checking out the front, she wanders to the wings to see what was out of view of the drone previously. Once done with that, she asks, "Is the office more interesting? This is kind of boring for a secret room..." and heads towards the office.

[Irn0rchid]

As Elaine walks around she murmurs a couple of times that Howard has
really added to the collection.  She points out several empty stands
and a couple of empty spaces in a display cabinet and says, "It looks
like there are only a few missing from the entire collection.  This
must have cost him a great deal of money."  The side wings are just
continuations of the larger room.  The recording the drone made seems
to match what you are seeing.  When you ask about him loving this
stuff, Elaine replies, "Oh yes.  It was his passion.  He was trying to
finish what his several time back grandfather had started.  He often
spoke of his "perfect collection" and how it would be the only one
like it in the world."

Elaine looks a bit concerned when you go in the office but does not
stop you.  The place is neat but you notice an old-style computer on
the desk that seems at odds with the modern age.  More, it has been
left on and the monitor springs to life when you jiggle the mouse.  A
flashing light indicates that he has a new email that has not been
downloaded yet, but the one open on the screen is enlightening.

        >>Howard, I have some very bad news.  It seems that the prizes
I sent you a month ago may not be genuine.  I am in receipt of some
documents that would indicate that the papers of authenticity may have
been forged and the pieces themselves could be excellent fakes.  The
workmanship certainly fooled me, and I assume you as well since I have
not heard from you about them before this.  I know that you have
already spoken to the principals in this matter and that they have
arranged for someone to come view the pieces.  I am sure that you know
what might happen if they think that you have deceived them, so is
there any way that you can put them off while I make sure of my
sources?<<

[Irn0rchid]

"Oh, these empty spots are already laid out for the missing pieces? Wow, he's really close then... Such an odd hobby." Personally uninterested in the pottery, she finishes the tour of the outer area. "Well, obviously, if he's got all the pieces then it would definitely be the only one like it in the world," she grins. Entering the office, she lets out a whistle and calls out to Robin, "Hey, come take a look at this, this guy is old school." Circling around the desk as the other two enter the office, Rose reads the email and then gasps, "Well, I know why he ran out of here so quickly, take a look."

<<Well this complicates things, this doesn't say which ones are the recent acquisitions. I wonder which one Ni Ni is interested in? Well, we're just being paid to assess the security, so it should effect us, but I doubt she's going to be pleased...>>

Once they've both had a look at the screen, "I guess he's not as close to completion as he thought. We should probably get out of here before he comes back; I don't think he's going to be in a very good mood..."

[Irn0rchid]

Robin is in the room first and almost laughs when she sees the
computer.  "Old school?  Dear, this man is in the dark ages.  They
stopped making these a long time ago." Both of the others are left
speechless at the content of the email.  >>Yep.  This certainly puts a
new twist to it.  Hmmm.  Did your employer not indicate that the value
of the collection was soon to be less than thought?  Do you think she
knew about this and was referring to it?  If so, she may not be as
displeased as you are thinking.<<

Elaine nods after recovering a bit.  "Yes, we should leave.  And try
to leave everything as it was."

The three of you leave the hidden room and she stops to pick up a
commlink.  "I should call him and let him know that we found the door
open.  Just in case."  She enters the code for her husband and leaves
it on speaker.  "Howard, Elaine here.  I am in the living room and
the door to your study is ajar."

(Silence)

"Howard?"

"Yes, Elaine, I am here.  Keep quiet while I think, would you?  Has
anyone been in there?  Are your guests with you?"

"I do not think anyone has been in there, Howard.  And, no, my friends
are upstairs."

"Good on both accounts.  Just make sure that no one goes in the study,
especially those whores you brought home.  The Robin one is an
adequate lay, but that Rachel just lay there like a limp noodle when I
did her this morning.  You can do better than those whores, dear.
Now, here is what I want you to do.  There is a panel on the inner
door.  The code for this door is 2574H.  Enter that and close the
inner door.  The code for the outer door is 1390E.  Enter that and
close the door.  I will reset the codes when I get a chance.  You got
that?  Tell me when you have it done."

Elaine gives both of you an apologetic look as she walks to the door.
After entering the codes and closing the doors in sequence, she says,
"OK, Howard, the doors are closed."

"Good.  Now listen.  Something has come up and I might have to leave
for a while.  A few days at most.  I am expecting a visit from some
associates for Saturday coming.  Please have all the guest rooms open
and aired out for them.  And, for God's sake, please send your
"friends" away for the weekend.  Now, I have to run.  Talk to you
later."

The connection breaks and Elaine just looks at the 'link for a moment
then looks at both of you.  "I do.......I cannot.........I am so sorry
that you heard that.  You have to know that I do not............"

Robin goes to her and puts an arm around her shoulder. "Now, now,
Elaine.  It is not pleasant to hear someone call me an adequate lay or
Rachel a limp noodle, especially when she did not have sex with him in
the first place.  But both of us know that you do not think of us like
that.  There is no way you could fake any of that."

[Irn0rchid]

<<I have no idea. She obviously knows more than she's saying though.>>

Standing by while Elaine calls Howard, Rose has a hard time staying quiet when he maligns Robin and outright lies about sleeping with her, but she manages. Her restraint pays off when she hears the codes to the security system and she makes sure to note them down. Once he finishes giving his orders and disconnects she comments "Wow, he really is a piece of work isn't he? Not even a thank you." Robin applies her softer touch and Rose joins them in a hug, "Don't listen to him, he's just trying to control you even more. I don't see how you put up with him."

<<Looks like as soon as we get the magic scouting report we should be able to close out this job. I'm not sure if there will be a follow up after that but I don't think we can just abandon Elaine here once we're done... What do you think?>>

[Mercy Merchant]

Elaine looks up at you with tears in her eyes and shakes her head.  "Yes, Howard is a real piece of work.  But as for putting up with it, I never had much of an alternative.  Or really anyone willing to tell me to do something about it.  I suppose that is admitting that I was too stupid or cowardly to just leave."

Robin is still trying to reassure her.  >>Yeah.  Not sure how long to stay.  But you are right about Elaine.  She has played fair with us and I would feel bad if we just abandoned her here with that sleaze.  And, for the record, I consider you a tremendous lover.  Limp noodle my ass.<<  "Hey, didn't we come down to eat and level up?"

Elaine brightens considerably and pats Robins hand.  "We did, indeed.  Dinner sounds great and then you two can school me some more."

[Irn0rchid]

"Well, from what you said before, it seems like he was keeping you held here pretty tightly. You just need to get out from under his thumb."

<<Well that's good to know. Really, it doesn't matter how I am as long as it's what you like. *grinemoji*>>

Rose's stomach growls and the three of them laugh as she blushes, "Yes, dinner does sound good for some reason."

While they eat, Rose sends a message to Ni Ni to keep her up to date on the situation, <<I'm almost done assessing the security, but I thought you'd like to know that Howard has been tipped off by his most recent supplier that some of his recent pottery acquisitions are fake.>>

[Irn0rchid]

Monday  11 June 2075  1853  Elaine's House

Dinner is excellent, but halfway through the meal Elaine gets an
urgent ping on her commlink.  Frowning, she picks it up and reads the
message, going quite pale.  "My God!  He is taking everything.  This
is a notification from the bank that someone, presumably Howard, is
trying to empty our joint account.  Fortunately, he must have
forgotten that he needs my authorization to do that." She types into
the 'link and smiles grimly.  "Well, that makes it official, I guess.
He is leaving me to hold some sort of bag and it must have something
to do with that fragging pottery and the people arriving on the
weekend.  OK, done.  I have just blocked access so he is not getting
the joint money, but I am pretty sure that he has already cleaned out
any private accounts he has."

She tosses the device to the table and looks up at you both, smiling
tentatively.  "Well.  Any ideas here?  I still have access to some
personal money, but I am sure that he will be freezing the joint
accounts like I just did, so the majority of my assets are
unavailable."

At about this time, you get a response from Ni Ni.  >>Bad news travels
quickly.  So sad for Howard.  This does not change our arrangement,
but it does now impose a timeline.  If you can get the access codes to
the hidden room I will grant you a Y 10K bonus, but it looks like your
window to do that closes no later than Wednesday afternoon.  I will
send the other operative in on Wednesday night, with or without the
codes.<<

[Irn0rchid]

"Sounds like it might be time to have a pottery yard sale?" Rose asks half-jokingly. "If he's trying to pin something on you, we should probably figure out what that is before it happens... and none of us should be here by the weekend I don't think. You said you don't have anywhere to go, right Elaine?"

<<I can give you the codes to the room now, and might even be able to facilitate the operative further, however it seems like Howard is panicking and I'd prefer not to get caught in any fallout. Do you have any information on what he might be doing in reaction to that news? I can tell you that he has previously scheduled visitors coming this weekend that appear to be putting a hard deadline on things and it looks like he's attempting to relocate his legitimate assets.>> To herself, "Ni Ni seems to have a fairly wide sphere of influence. Tipping my hand to her now might help us get out of the immediate situation, and should definitely help build trust for future dealings."

[Mercy Merchant]

Elaine looks thoughtful.  "He has always told me that some of the pieces are very valuable by themselves, but that the value of the entire collection would dwarf the individual parts.  There is probably some guide, but I would need help selling it off and really do not know anyone.  And it probably would take longer than this weekend, would you not think?  And why do you think I should not be here this weekend, anyway?"

>>Excellent news about the codes.  I will contact the operative and see if the date can be moved earlier.  Please send the codes to me.  Do you have a feeling for any astral security?<<

[Irn0rchid]

"Yeah , and we don't even know which of them are the fake ones." Rose looks at Elaine a little puzzled, "You said he was trying to leave you holding the bag come thus weekend and I figured you wouldn't want to be here for that?"

<<The codes are 1390E and 2574H. I won't know about the astral until later today. Do you have any knowledge of what Howard is doing now that he's panicking?"