CHAPTER 14: THE FIRST STAKE OUT

Victoria's POV

When we finally decided on what sweets to munch on we went back to the monitors. We stared at the cameras intently, watching for anything out of the ordinary.

The Shadow managed to slip some of his Bluetooth chips (which I'm going to call BCs) into the three richest jewellery stores' cameras in the city. He couldn't do it with the bank's, because they swept their cameras every few weeks or so, to check for any tampering.

There was no movement, except for the occasional passerby but other than the the streets were quiet. This was my first stake out and I was just filled with excitement. This was another reason why I want to be a detective, the thrill of the chase just seems so exciting.

At first I didn't understand how we were going to manage to pull this off, but after the Shadow explained every thing and showed me all his gadgets, I've got a new hope for this mission.

Maybe this won't be mission impossible after all...

I steal a quick glance at the Shadow, who is still munching away on my cookies and staring intently at the monitor. There was a whole new set of mysteries about him I still needed to unravel.

Question after question popped into my mind, Who was the guy behind the mask? Why did he begin this whole search? Who was the person close to his heart that inspired this search of him?
Did he lose someone because of the White Hawk?

Then something clicks into my mind, could Alec possibly be the Shadow? I mean he lost his father because of the White Hawk, and they were very close. And the thing Jaydan mentioned about him being busy every other night. Is this the thing occupying his evenings.

I had to know if this was Alec, this was the time to put my detective skills in use.

"You really like my cookies." I state as a stare at the big screen. This was an innocent statement that could give me some clues to if it really was Alec behind the mask. If I knew his likes and dislikes I could easily deduct if it is him. The only question now is, does Alec like chocolate chip? This should be an easy question for someone to answer, but not for me, because know why, Alec cut me off. I know nothing about him, he is like a complete stranger to me. This is just great, how am I suppose to figure this out if I had nothing to compare it to? The only thing I could compare the Shadow to was Alec's smile because the Shadow's mouth was the only part that could be seen, thanks to his mask.

"Yeah they're amazing, you're an excellent baker, by the way may I have the recipe?" He asks with a smile as he turns to look at me.

"You want a cookie recipe?" I ask with an raised eyebrow.

"Yep."

"Why?"

"Why? Seriously so I could bake some for myself, why else would I want a recipe?" He asks.

"I know, I just didn't peg you as the baking type."

"Oh really, and what type am I then?" He asks.

"I don't know, just the thieving type."

"Is that all I am to you? A common thief?" He asks as he feigns hurt.

"No it's just, you know what, just leave it." I say with a huff and go back to staring at the screen.

"I guess I'll just have to prove to you that I love baking cookies." He says as he stands up and walks in the direction of the kitchen.

A few seconds later there is a big ruckus coming from the kitchen. I turn my chair around to face the kitchen, where the Shadow is busy rummaging through cupboards.

"What are you doing?" I ask as I stare at the masked figure.

"I'm making cookies to prove my worth to you." He says in his annoying mechanical voice, oh how I wish I could hear his real voice.

"I didn't mean to sound so disbelieving, it just that I've never came across a guy before who enjoys baking." I say.

"I know, but I guess it is just my challenging side that wants to prove to you that guys aren't as useless in the kitchen as girls think." He says as he starts to open his ingredients and add everything to a bowl.

This was going to be interesting, if only the world could see this, the notorious thief baking cookies. This guy was just one big mystery.

My train of thoughts was cut off by the vibration of my phone. I quickly pulled my phone out of my pocket and answered.

"Hello?" I greet.

"Victoria is that you, oh thank goodness! Where have you been? We've been calling on the telephone for the last five minutes!" My mom says in her angry tone, oh shoot I forgot my parent were going to call every night.

"Hi Mom, sorry about that, I didn't hear the telephone ring I'm in my room watching a movie." The lie slips easy from my lips and I feel disgusted with myself, I hated it when I lied, especially to my parents.

"Oh thank goodness, we've been so worried, I almost thought that you've been kidnapped by some sort of thief." My mother says with a laugh. Oh mother if only you've known the truth.

"Ha me kidnapped by a thief, I don't think so. Oh please no thief can handle me." I say with a small laugh as I look at the Shadow who is in the middle of mixing his ingredient while trying to hold in his laughter.

"Yeah I know, it is funny where a person's imagination can run off to when you're worried. So how was your first day of holiday?"

"Oh just lazy and uneventful, I did make chocolate chip cookies though."

"Oh really that sound delicious, you should leave some for your father and me, you know how your father adores his sweets."

"Will do, where is dad by the way?"

"He is around here somewhere, they've been keeping him very busy here. He is also worried about you, he wanted to order a police car at the house but I-"

"He wanted to what? Order a police car to look after me?"

"Yes but I've talked him out of it, he is just worried because he received a report from one of the police officers who informed him about a few burglaries around the area."

"Oh I see, so that is why you were so worried?"

"Yes, but I told him we would call you every night and if you seem scared we come back immediately."

"Don't worry about me, I'm perfectly fine you just have to enjoy the convention and say hi to dad."

"I will do, goodnight darling and please take care of yourself and keep every thing locked. We love you, sleep tight!"

"You too, and don't worry I will. Bye." I say before my mother hangs up. I put my phone back in my pocket before I look at the Shadow again.

"Why was your mother worried?" He asks as he starts to place his cookies on a cookie tray.

"Apparently there has been a few break ins around our area, and when I didn't answer they expected the worst." I explain.

"Really? That is not good, don't you think it would be better to go stay with someone else while your parents are gone?" He asks as he gives me a pointed look.

"Oh my goodness, you sound just like my mother, I'm old enough to take care of myself and besides how am I suppose to sneak out with you if I stayed with someone else."

"Okay fine, but if you feel unsafe you tell me and we'll figure something out." He says as he places the cookies into the oven. He's body is stiff and I can sense his unease. Why does he cares so much? I'm just another random girl who is helping him solve a case, aren't I? This question just leads back to my earlier suspicion about him being Alec. But I brush the thought off, he just sees me as a future friend that's all.

The Shadow, sets a timer for his cookies before he joins me again at the monitors.

Fifteen minutes later the timer goes of and the Shadow heads to the kitchen to take them out, and they smell absolutely fantastic.

He places a them in a plate and brings them over to me. I stare at his creations and my mouth waters, they smell and look delicious. I take one, and might I just say what an excellent baker he is indeed, this guy just keeps surprising me.

"So, how are they?" He asks as he takes a seat next to me.

"I'm sorry I misjudged you, it will never happen again." I say as I take another one. This is heaven, even more delicious then mine.

"I'm glad I could prove you wrong." He says with a charming smile which I return. This guy is truly something else.

The rest of the evening we monitored the screen while eating the Shadow's cookies, we talked about random things and I threw in a few questions which would help me with solving the mystery of the Shadow.

When the clock struck 12, the Shadow announced that it was time for me to return to my home, and I couldn't agree more. The discovery of the secret lair started to take its toll on me.

I took my binder and remaining of my cookies and went to the Shadow's car. He told me to wait in the car so long while he turned everything off and locked up.

I climbed into the car and snuggled up in the Shadow's seat, my eyelids starting to feel very heavy.

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The Shadow's POV

As soon as Victoria left the room I grabbed a bag and threw a few cameras inside, these cameras were connected to my phone so that I would be able to view them from anywhere through my phone.

When Victoria told me about the break ins in her area, I started to freak out. I had to protect her from other thieves out there so I had to keep a very close eye on her.

I also grabbed some of my movement sensors on the way, after switching off everything and locking up, I went to my car.

When I climbed in I noticed that Victoria was curled up on the seat, she was facing me with her eyes closed and a peaceful expression on her face.

Goodness she was beautiful. Those dark flowing locks, with those bright brown eyes which just lights up when she has an idea-.

No, no, no I scowl myself, I can't think of her like that, I can't be with her, not as long as I'm the Shadow, no I just can't let that happen.

I shake my head to clear my thoughts and start the engine. Victoria squirms in her seat but doesn't wake up. I open the garage and doors and reverse to car through the tunnel and out of the cabin before closing it all up again. When everything is locked and secure I drive off to Victoria's house.

A few minutes later I'm parked infront of the house next door. I shook Victoria gently to wake her from her sleep.

She wakes and opens her gorgeous eyes, We make eye contact and she gives me a small smile, which I return.

"We're here." I say softly.

"Thanks." She says and climbs out of the car.

In a few minutes time we're over the fence and starting to climb back inside her room. Victoria climbed easier up then she did down and we made it up to her room in record time.

"Thanks for tonight." Victoria says as she places her binder and cookies on her desk.

"Pleasure, thanks for coming." I say.

"No problemo."

"Well goodnight then, I'll see you tomorrow night?" I ask.

"Yeah see you tomorrow night." She says with a smile which a return.

"Goodnight." I say before I climb out the window.

"Goodnight." She whispers back before closing and locking the window behind me.

A wait a half an hour after her lights are off before I go around the front to the front door.

The front door was the easiest to open when it was locked. I opened it as quietly as I could before closing it behind.

Then I started to go to work, I installed a motion sensor at every point of entry with hidden camera across every point of entry, leaving Victoria's room for last. The cameras showed on my phone and the sensors will alert me if there is any movement.

When I covered everything I went to Victoria's room, I opened her door as quietly as I could before entering. She was facing the door all cuddled up inside her blankets with a small smile on her face.

Making sure she was sound asleep I installed a camera and sensor at her window and door. The cameras around the house was hidden across from the entry point, making it hard to see.

When I was done with her room I walked towards her bed, I bent down and placed a small kiss on her head before whispering, "No one will hurt you as long as I'm here to protect you."

I gave her on last thoughtful glance before I left and headed to the front door. My phone buzzed in my pocket and I took it out to view my notification and I was greeted with the sight of me leaving through the front door. At least I know my detectors and cameras work. I locked the front door behind me.

I head back to my car, I start it up and drive of to my home, finally back to home sweet home.
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Hey guys
I hope you enjoyed this chapter and this is by far my favorite chapter, please tell me what your thoughts are on the Shadow.
Please comment and vote and thank you for reading.
And I just want to apologize if there are any grammar or spelling mistake, English isn't my mother tongue, but you more than welcome to tell me if there are.
Thank you.
~Amorie