Spy-x-War Showdown
Chapter 822 - 827: Not a Thief

Chapter 822: Chapter 827: Not a Thief

As a professional thief, Hank really hadn’t stolen anything for a long time.

Actually, Hank really didn’t want to join the Organization of Water, not at all. In prison, he was tormented by Yang Yi; upon release, he embarked on a life of crime, deceived by Yang Yi into joining the Organization of Water, which was his life’s greatest regret. Yet, he dared not leave it.

Though he wasn’t short of money and could always draw an income without doing anything, Hank preferred to earn his own money. With his skills, making money was a trivial matter.

Not short of money, nothing to do, and always under great psychological pressure, Hank really wanted to find something to occupy himself. The wealthy in Frankfurt should have felt lucky because whenever Hank had time, he would case their homes, but he never actually took action to steal anything.

Besides, what Hank could do was to engage in interesting career research, um, namely research on how to pick locks.

Now, Hank, who had been left to linger in Germany, finally had something to do.

"Just go in and take a look without stealing anything? No problem!"

Although the prospect of not stealing anything was a tad disappointing for Hank, he readily agreed upon knowing what the task entailed.

Yang Yi said in a deep voice, "The security system is very tight, the most troublesome part is that we don’t know what kind of security measures are in place."

Hank shook his head, then earnestly said, "No problem, no problem at all. Whatever the security system, I’ll be responsible for finding it out for you. Trust me, you have to trust me, you all have to trust me. There’s no lock I can’t pick, no door I can’t get through in this world!"

Anton smiled slightly, then he said gravely, "Then why not try a vault? How about we empty all the money from a bank vault?"

Hank paused for a moment, but he quickly said, "What I said is that there are no doors I can’t open. I did not say there’s nothing I can’t steal. But if you’re willing to cooperate, what does it matter if we open a vault? If you can ensure the cash is moved, I can guarantee I’ll get the doors open for you!"

Yang Yi chuckled, "No need to argue, Hank, we’re not trying to enter a house to steal things; we just want to enter a house to take a look. This isn’t like the situations you’re used to where if you get caught stealing, you just have to run away and you’re fine. But if our operation is discovered, then we are done for. Do you understand?"

Hank said with excitement, "Of course I understand! Please, do you think stealing is just about picking locks and opening doors? Going undetected is a must!"

Anton said indifferently, "Oh, does being a thief have such high standards?"

Hank paused again, then he exclaimed angrily, "I am not a thief!"

"What are you then?"

"I am an art thief, an art thief, get it? I only steal valuable artworks and antiques. Do you understand at all?"

Anton spread his hands, "Uh, isn’t that still a thief?"

Hank looked genuinely angry, breathing heavily, "I’m not a pickpocket thief! Nor a burglar moving houses! I am an art thief with an appreciation for art and aspirations! I only lay hands on artworks I like. Do you get it?"

Anton said with a helpless look, "Isn’t it still being a thief?"

Enraged, Hank knew better than to confront Anton, someone he should not provoke, so he could only grit his teeth and turn his head away.

Throw a punch? Hank knew he would be dead.

Seeing that Hank was really upset, Anton laughed heartily, "Just joking with you, mate. Don’t be angry."

Hank took a deep breath and said, "Anyway, I can get in, and I guarantee there will be no traces left, and no one will discover us. That’s it!"

Yang Yi looked at Annastasia. Normally, he would have asked Brian for advice on such matters, but now, well, he might as well just ignore him.

Brian also looked at Annastasia, who shrugged and said, "Let’s take action then, what are we waiting for?"

Yang Yi coughed lightly and said, "Alright, let’s go in and have a look. If we can confirm that the house has been rented by Big Ivan’s people, um, then we shall not disturb them. If it’s confirmed otherwise, then we can try to sublease it."

Annastasia curiously said, "If it’s rented by Big Ivan, wouldn’t you take the opportunity to install some cameras and listening devices or something?"

Yang Yi was taken aback and replied, "Is that necessary?"

Annastasia spread her hands, "Intelligence is two-way. Big Ivan’s intelligence is equally valuable, don’t you think?"

Yang Yi actually hadn’t thought about installing eavesdropping devices inside, because he considered Big Ivan an ally against Deyo. Since he was an ally, there was no need for surveillance.

But Annastasia was right. Let’s not even say that Big Ivan wasn’t really an ally, even if he were, surveillance was still necessary.

Yang Yi nodded, "I can’t believe I overlooked this. You’re right, we should fill the house with cameras and listening devices. But what if we’re discovered?"

Anton said gravely, "Then don’t let them discover it."

Yang Yi whispered, "There’s some technical difficulty. We have suitable listening devices, but we don’t have suitable cameras."

Annastasia smiled, "Having only listening devices is also acceptable."

Yang Yi shook his head, "No, that won’t do. I have to see how Gong Yang and his team operate. Since we’re going to install listening devices, it feels too regrettable not to install cameras. Decided then, we’re immediately going to find Christmas Tree and purchase the right equipment. If it doesn’t exist, it can’t be helped, but if it’s available, then we have to install it."

Annastasia replied nonchalantly, "What’s Christmas Tree, a person’s name or an organization?"

"A person, Eric Fulrand, nickname Christmas Tree. He’s got everything you could need, and a lot of it is equipment currently used by UK spies."

Annastasia nodded, "Okay, understood."

Hank said urgently, "After we get in, you can install whatever you want, but first, we need to figure out the house’s security system. Once we know what kind of security system it is, the rest will be easy."

"What will you do?"

Hank replied without hesitation, "I don’t know. I haven’t even been there yet. How can I know until I’ve seen it for myself? At least let me scout it first, take a few looks in person."

Yang Yi frowned, "Is just looking from the outside enough?"

Hank confidently said, "Just looking from the outside won’t do, of course. But let me at least have a first look, um, when the time comes, I’ll definitely find a way to figure it out."

Xiao Ran said, "There’s a problem. If the house really is rented by Big Ivan, then what do we do?"

Yang Yi replied with a wry smile, "What else can we do but turn our attention to another house."

After finishing, Yang Yi, who couldn’t wait any longer, stood up and said loudly, "Alright, it’s settled then. Now, I’m off to find Christmas Tree to buy things."