Jimmy finished his cigarette and went upstairs. Looking at the ti, he called for takeout, deciding not to go downstairs for lunch. He really wasn't in the mood to eat out and would just make do with whatever.
However, Jimmy thought too much. Peter's call had reached Jones' phone.
Jones picked up, checked so information on the computer, printed it out, and imdiately stood up to grab the suit hanging on the back of the chair. "Jimmy, let's go. Peter has arranged for us to do so surveillance."
Jimmy also picked up his suit and followed Jones to the underground parking lot where they started the surveillance van.
This van was exclusively used by Jones; he checked and maintained the equipnt, ensuring it was ready for imdiate deploynt, and spent so ti each day on the vehicle for inspections.
Now was the ti for an ergency deploynt. Jones drove while Jimmy sat in the passenger seat, heading towards the Upper West Side.
They safely arrived outside the hotel. Peter and Dian were already waiting by the roadside. Coming from the back entrance, Peter said, "Jones, take a blank videotape and co with to get a copy of the video from the hotel. We've located the man; he's still staying at the hotel."
"Dian, you stay here with Jimmy for a while."
Peter and Jones returned shortly after entering the hotel, using the computer on the surveillance van to transfer the copied video into the system and finally viewing a clear image.
A Caucasian man, no beard, blonde short hair, dressed in a suit—looking every part a businessman.
Jones: "Allen Johnson, dual citizenship of the UK and the US, graduated from the London School of Economics and Political Science in history, forr bank asset appraiser. He quit last year to open a consulting firm, primarily dealing with art valuation. Currently staying in room 503 of the hotel, alone."
Peter: "The Nissan owned by Allen was found in the parking lot, but its plates have been switched to regular ones registered under his na. Everything seems normal for now.
Professionally, he does have certain connections. If the large amount of stolen artwork needs to be sold on the market, it would definitely require soone with expertise."
Jones, Jimmy, you two are responsible for surveillance here. Follow and confirm who he contacts to see if we can trace the stolen artwork. If there's a chance, plant a bug on him."
Jones: "Got it."
Peter: "Dian, let's go back."
Peter and Dian left the van and drove their own car away from the parking lot. Jones began organizing the equipnt, taking out GPS trackers and bugs to check, ready to install them on Allen Johnson's car, while Jimmy adjusted the van's external caras to face the hotel's entrance and started continuous recording.
After Jones had prepared the equipnt, he left the surveillance van with a case. Fifteen minutes later, he ca back, sitting in front of the monitor to start his work. Jimmy watched for a while and asked, "Jones, what do you want to eat? I'm going to grab so food; looks like we'll be here for a while."
Jones: "Burgers and coffee, thanks."
Jimmy got out of the van and walked to a nearby place. Since they would be conducting surveillance here, it was essential to familiarize himself with the surroundings. Besides, one can't miss out on food and drink.
When Jimmy returned with burgers and coffee, Jones was still wearing headphones, watching the surveillance screen. Well, from any perspective, Jones was a qualified FBI agent, especially in his sense of duty—a task at which Jimmy utterly couldn't compare. Having to stare at a monitor for hours was like being in prison for him, his body aching as ti dragged on.
Jimmy: "Latte, burger."
Jones reached for it: "Thanks. You watch for a bit; I need to eat."
Jimmy: "No problem." Jimmy picked up another pair of headphones, switched the monitor to the surveillance feed, and watched the hotel entrance.
Jimmy idly watched the surveillance, absentmindedly flipping open and closed the revolver's cylinder, the bullets already removed, so there was no worry about it going off. He just felt bored and wanted sothing in his hand to fiddle with, much like a student might spin a pen when bored, nothing special.
After finishing the burger and taking a few sips of coffee, Jones stepped out the back of the van to stretch and clear his head a bit.
"Jones, inside," Jimmy called, knowing that Jones wouldn't have gone far and was likely just at the back door.
Jones opened the door and ca inside. "What's up?"
Jimmy: "When did this guy enter the hotel?"
Jimmy pointed at the frozen image on the monitor—a bald man, a familiar face to Jimmy, Frank Moses.
Jones took a closer look and said, "Don't rember seeing him, at least not since we started surveillance."
Jimmy captured the surveillance footage and printed the image from a printer on the side.
Jimmy: "Keep an eye on the surveillance. I'm going to do so digging."
Jones: "Go ahead."
With the printed image in hand, Jimmy walked into the hotel and approached the reception.
Reception: "Welco, how can I assist you?"
Jimmy took out his FBI badge from his pocket, "FBI, just need a mont of your ti. Could we talk on the side?"
The receptionist looked at Jimmy, excused herself to another colleague, then ca out and walked with Jimmy to a secluded, quiet corner.
Jimmy handed the printed image to the receptionist: "I need your help with this man, is he a guest here?"
Receptionist: "Yes, I rember him, he's been staying for several days."
Jimmy: "I think you know we're working on a case. So of my colleagues ca in today to investigate surveillance footage. Now, I need your help to check his registration information, please."
Receptionist: "OK, just a mont."
The receptionist went back to her station, searched the information on the computer, printed it, and handed it to Jimmy.
Jimmy: "Thank you. Goodbye."
Jimmy didn't look at the information but went straight back to the surveillance van.
Jones: "Did you find anything?"
Jimmy: "Yeah, I'll just take a look."
Harry Stamper, checked in 8 days ago, paid for his room with a credit card. The hotel did not provide his driver's license information. Right now, all there was a na and a credit card number.
Jones: "Any discovery? Is it related to our target?"
Jimmy: "Oh, no connection, just thought he looked like soone I knew, but the na's different, not the person I know."
Jones: "Let have a look." Jones took the information, "That is indeed very basic info. But, it's enough for a search. Do you want to dig into it?"
Jimmy: "Would that be convenient? Is it against the rules?"
Jones: "It's just one person, no problems. But not right now. We'd need to be at the office to search, the computers in the surveillance van don't have that access."
Jimmy: "Okay, thanks. I'll buy you dinner later."
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