It’s now Saturday, January 24th, 1pm.

It’s been over a week since the heist on Montreal’s Museum of Fine Arts. News of the heist has reached all over Canada. The museum reopened a few days ago and in the spot where the Van Gogh painting was is just an empty spot on the wall. The museum has received a lot of business since the heist, and many people are taking pictures of where the Van Gogh painting was. People and tourists post pictures on social media platforms. #VanGone is trending.

James reads the news about the heist on CBC’s website. Michael looks over his shoulder and sees that the #VanGone hashtag is trending. He says, “hey, they stole my remark.”

All 3 men laugh. James walks outside to smoke, but Thomas stops him.

“Hey James. So you said you were going to pick up the painting tomorrow?”

“Yes. It’s in a storage facility in east Paris.”

“Can I come with you?”

“It’s too dangerous. They know we landed in Paris. There must be a huge police presence in the city looking for us.”

“Hey let’s go to the coffee shop a couple blocks away. I believe it was called Marvin’s Coffee.”

It’s just James and Thomas. They are sipping their coffees. Thomas is eating a muffin with his mouth open.

“Man, you never change do you? You’re just like a cow,” James says with a laugh.

*Meanwhile in Paris at an undisclosed location*

Sevro has teamed up with the lead investigator who was in charge of finding the culprits behind the heist on the Van Gogh painting.

"I believe James is the mastermind behind the heist. He used Michael to pose as a tourist, then a construction worker and then an electrician. All of the heights of those 3 men are the same as can be seen on the camera recordings."

"So Sevro there's something you wanted to tell me. What is it?"

"James has technology that he can use to communicate with Michael. The technology implants thoughts into a person's head. Also it appears he's figured out that he can use the tech to see whatever Michael is seeing."

"I'm not sure I follow the 'seeing part'"

"Well essentially whatever Michael sees can be uploaded as a live video to the computer he is using. So basically if Michael sees a painting, James will also see that painting on his laptop exactly how Michael is seeing it."

"That's incredible."

"Incredibly dangerous to be precise. This function can leave a person blind if used too often. James doesn't know this."

"Sevro, what do you think would be James' next move?"

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"Well it's become apparent that he did not have the painting aboard the plane. And we haven't found them in Paris after a week. It's possible he mailed the painting to a location in Paris and is going to eventually return to get this painting. I suggest we extend the police presence in the city…. It would be a shame if tomorrow people stopped looking for them and then James returns."

"Sounds like a good plan. I'll talk with my superiors about extending the lookout for James in the city."

*Back at Marvin's Coffee Shop*

"Tomorrow they are supposed to call off the heavy police presence in Paris. I will make my way to get the painting," James tells Thomas.

"That sounds good. You even have it all figured out."

"Well it's possible they will extend the police presence in the city due to the fact I have the I.D. Tech."

"That's not good."

"I will need to disguise myself with makeup. I was thinking of seeing a makeup artist later today. I can have her put a moustache on me and make me look way older than I am. No one will suspect this. This is the best course of action to take."

“That’s pretty elaborate. But sounds like the safest bet.”

Thomas takes another bite of the muffin.

“So James what do you plan to do with the 20 syringes of liquid?”

“Might run some tests. As far as I know I can control one person at a time, but I thought of the idea of controlling multiple people. Not sure the software is designed for controlling multiple people. I may need more than 1 computer. I may even teach you how to use it.”

“Wow not sure I can live up to that kind of responsibility.”

*Saturday, January 25th, 3pm*

James walks into the storage facility to pick up his package.

“Hey is my package here?”

“I need your name and I.D. please…”

“Francisco Torres. Here you go.”

“Okay Francisco. Just be patient. Okay it says it arrived a few days ago. I’ll go grab it for ya.”

The clerk opens the door to where all of the packages are. She checked the package number on the computer to the package number she wrote on the package. And eventually she returns.

“Here it is sir.”

James puts on a happy face.

“Well thank you very much.”

James walks out of the storage facility. He bumps into a rather strange man.

“Hey. This is a picture of James Morley. If you see him let me know. I can be contacted at the following number.” The man hands James a business card.

It reads:

“Philip Collins. Investigator. Phone: 905-374-9273”

James is really nervous, but then realizes he has an open opportunity to plan something greater than he’s done so far.

“Actually I think I’ve seen him.”

“Really!? Where? And when?”

“I’d prefer to get out of this blizzard first. Mind if we go over to that coffee shop across the street? I’ll even buy you a coffee.”

“I don’t normally do that, but sure I don’t think it can hurt.”

The 2 men make it to Sophie’s Coffee Shop. James walks in and pounds his boots on the doormat. The investigator does the same.

“I’ll have a medium, 2 creams and 1 sugar please. And what will you have Philip?”

“Actually I think I’ll pass.”

James is really disappointed in this but does one really good attempt at convincing Philip. Philip decides he’ll have tea.

“Listen I have to go to the washroom,” says Philip.

“Okay. Anyways I’ll be over at the far table in front of the window.”

The beverages are ready. James moves over to the table and turns his back to the camera. He reaches into his coat pocket and pulls out a syringe of the I.D. Tech. He injects Philip’s tea with the liquid.

The investigator returns.

“So tell me, stranger. Where did you see James?”

“Well I think I saw him at the hotel closest to the airport.”

The investigator is disappointed. He knows this is credible as they suspected he was at a hotel nearest to the airport, but they are only looking for leads as to where he is now.

“Well let me guess this was a week ago?”

“Yes.”

The investigator takes a sip of the tea.

“It was a week ago. I’m sorry. I’m sure you were hoping for an earlier sighting.”

The 2 men talk for about half an hour. The investigator drank half his tea.

“Well I have to do my job. But it was nice of you to offer me a drink. I have to get going.”

James shakes Philip’s hand.

“Now I will get to see who the person in charge of this investigation is," James thinks.