Chapter 41

The Fortified Theater, Roya Lane, London, England, United Kingdom

Rose explained where Gen could find the secret entrance to this new strange shop full of defensive magical items. Apparently, one had to be invited to enter the Fortified Theater. Gen thought that would be a problem for her, but Rose said the invitation was sort of metaphorical, meaning that they had to need a defense to be allowed entry. Gen definitely needed something to help her get into the Los Angeles Police Headquarters and not get caught.

Not only did Gen need a way to go unnoticed in the police headquarters, but she needed it fast. After giving the information to her rogue officers, they thought collectively that the bank robbery would be in two days. All the information and plans going on behind the scenes supported that timeline.

It also lined up with when the goons strong-arming Tesla needed the parts, which had already been dropped off and were being tracked. Thankfully, that tracking would allow them to follow the getaway cars, but what the rogue police officers agreed that they needed next were plans of the city. Having detailed maps of the underground and blueprints of the Federal Reserve Bank were key to intervening.

And that plan, well, it was going to be complicated. But it all started with sneaking into the police headquarters and stealing city information. Hopefully this shop owner Rusty could help Gen with her mission.

As Gen stepped through the creaky door of The Fortified Theater, she was immediately engulfed by an atmosphere that teetered between enchanting and unsettling. The air hummed with the distant melody of a forgotten lullaby, its notes weaving through the shop like an invisible mist.

In the center of the room stood a man who she guessed was Rusty, the enigmatic shopkeeper. His presence was commanding and theatrical. He wore a velvet waistcoat adorned with shimmering constellations, and his eyes sparkled with mischief beneath the brim of his top hat.

"Ah, a new player enters the stage!" Rusty exclaimed, his voice a rich baritone that resonated through the shop. "Welcome, my dear, to The Fortified Theater, where every defense tells a tale!"

"Hi," Gen squeaked, glad that she was allowed to enter the shop, apparently deemed worthy. "I'm Gen Beaufont and Rose sent me. She said that you could help me."

"Oh, I knew that the witch hunter would deliver on her promise, sending me more clients," the man said, bowing slightly. "I'm Rusty, your director, producer and more while at The Fortified Theater."

"She promised to send you clients?" Gen questioned, surprised.

He nodded, a smile twinkling in his eyes. "Yes, that was the payment for something I gave her recently. I don't deal in money since I find the currency of people to be much more valuable."

Gen's face went slack. "Well, I need something to help me move through a large and well-guarded building without being seen. What is that going to cost me? Do I have to refer clients to you?"

He combed his gloved fingers over his chin, thinking. "Tell me, this building that you're sneaking into, are you stealing something that shouldn't belong to you?"

She shook her head. "No, I'm just taking pictures of city maps and blueprints."

"For?" he asked.

Gen blinked at him, not sure that she should disclose the details of her mission to this guy.

He sighed. "Your payment is this information. I don't sell defensive items to those who are seeking to benefit selfishly or have ill will or could hurt others."

Gen studied the man, not picking up on any lies or deceit. "Fine, I need the plans from this building so that I can stop what I suspect to be a colossal bank robbery. As a Rogue Rider, I allow crime to happen, but not if it's too big and not if it hurts society. Stealing innocent people's money I won't allow."

"Rightly so," he boomed, throwing a finger in the air. "And as a Rogue Rider, I believe your ultimate goal is to use petty crime to stop the bigger dangerous ones."

"Well, can you help me?" Gen asked. "Do you have something that will get me into the building unnoticed? And what will the payment be?"

"I do have something," he answered. "And the payment is that you're keeping the stage of life safe. But before I show you the item that I believe will help you on your mission, maybe I can offer you other things as well that could be of assistance. Are you interested?"

Gen, her curiosity piqued, nodded.

"Very well, fellow actor, follow me." Rusty waved Gen to follow him as he set off in the store, a spring in his step.