The rain lashed the oil black streets, creating huge puddles and tiny raging rivers that sped along the curbs and down the gutters. Storm drains couldn't handle the flow quickly enough, and water spread into larger ponds across sections of the roadways. Cars slowed as they ploughed through, showering everyone and everything within fifteen feet. Danzig scurried from doorway to doorway, dodging the splashing, and the litter being carried by the wind like missiles.

The hazy outline of the warehouse appeared through the driving rain and Danzig, now soaked almost to the skin in spite of his plastic jacket and trousers, wiped the water from his eyes hunting for possible opportunities to help his mission. He could wait another night. Who needed this kind of weather? He squatted under a loading platform and checked all his kit. He held out his hand and noticed it was still trembling from the earlier session with the hostess.

Thinking back on the event, which it provided the initial rush and relief, it had left him more drained than at any time in the past. He was still concerned over the changes in his dream, and he worried again that the pills might be losing their effectiveness; a new prescription might be necessary or maybe an additional one now. He leaned against the wall and considered that tack, then discarded it. He couldn't risk a possible bad reaction right now.

An old fire ladder bolted to the wall at the rear of the warehouse gave him easy access to the roof, and he stayed low near the edge as he inventoried the location of several cameras, although in this weather he did not think much of an image would be captured. The rooftop doors were all locked, of course, and the windows all covered with a wire mesh, so he opted for the large skylight set in the centre of the roof.

><><><><

The beep was subtle, as intended, and Gretta grabbed the remote from Arny, hitting the button for the security channel. The screen divided into six images, all water streaked and hard to decipher, but one covering the roof showed a hunched shadow near the skylight over the warehouse section of the building. Arny sat up and pointed anxiously.

"I see him. We know it isn't Strom, so it must be Danzig."

"What do we do?" Arny was on his feet now. "Where the heck are the guys outside?"

"You call CONGA and tell them what's happening. I'm going into the warehouse."

"Gretta! Jesus, why? He can't get to us in here even if he does get inside. Why go out there?"

"Because I want to make sure this guy doesn't get away to pester us any more."

"What about the guys that are supposed to be watching outside? Where are they?"

"I don't know, Arny. He obviously avoided them."

"Oh for God's sake." He flapped his arms. "Fine, say Shazam and go." He squeezed his temples and went to the phone.

Gretta closed and locked the door behind her and stayed with her back flat against the wall while she let her eyes grow accustomed to the dark. Above her, flashes of sheet and streak lightening lit the skylight and cast weird, fleeting shadows on the worn wooden floor. She couldn't hear anything beyond the noise of the pounding rain against the glass and the steel roof, and when the lightning flashed again she caught just the merest glimpse of a figure at the skylight.

Danzig tested the edge of the window and grunted aloud as he pried the rusting frame loose from years of paint and grime. The storm seemed to be growing worse as he strained to lift the frame up against the wind and hold it steady while he worked his way inside. His fingers slipped on the wet metal and the frame banged painfully against his shoulder.

Soaked and cold, water pouring over his face, he had to prop the window against his back until he wiped his hair away from his eyes, then he lowered it as carefully and quietly as possible. He crouched, staying perfectly still, listening and orienting himself. He was on a beam that ran the width of the building about twenty feet above the floor. His wet shoes made for a precarious grip and he had to use his hands to help balance.

Gretta stood silent and still as she watched with more than a little admiration for the strength and dexterity Danzig had displayed. Unfortunately, she had lost him in the shadows again. As he crept along the narrow beam his wet shoes made the trip dangerous and when he reached the far wall he levered himself down the wall between the vertical studs using brute strength. She worked her way along the wall in the shadows, hoping to get to his flank.

Thunder crashed, and the building rattled, sending a small shower of dust over the interior. Danzig grunted as he dropped the last few feet to the floor, his eyes sweeping the darkness for any sign of danger. With her gun down at her side and using several of the silent mannequins as cover, Gretta spotted him briefly again, and watched to see his next move. He slipped silently across to the vaulting horse and stepped behind it to the door to the safe room and halted, listening.

Somebody must have leaked the location. She saw him remove something from his pocket, and then his hand went to his mouth as he ducked from sight. Had he swallowed something? She wasn't sure.

><><><><

Arny saw the handle move and he backed away from the door, his trusty knife clenched in sweaty fingers. Where was Gretta? He looked at the phone and wondered if he should call again. Fear won out.

"Professor Chester Stilton, please. It's very urgent." His voice rasped.

"Arnold?"

He quickly reported what was happening and that he had no idea where Gretta was and he was sure that it wasn't her at the door. Cheesy informed him that help was on the way, ignoring his question about the agents who were supposed to be outside already. Arnold hung up and turned his attention back to the door.