August 2004 - Outside of Washington D.C.

[shortofcrazy]

Riley takes the front steps of the Gates-Chase mansion a couple of stairs at a time, whistling a tune that would be off-key, if it wasn't so tuneless. He's cheerful this afternoon (hard not to be, being back in D.C. after he's been out of it so long), the Ferrari parked in the drive behind him and a paper shopping bag in hand

Comments

[consideredwrong]

"In the office--mine, not Abigail's," Ben calls, muffled from a half-open door on the second floor. "I'll be down in a moment."

Ben wanders out, shirt-sleeves rolled up and brushing his hands off, and walks down the stairs.

"Hello, Riley. It's good to see you back."

[shortofcrazy]

"Ben, you have no idea," says Riley, grinning from ear-to-ear now. "What're you doing? Being boring?"

The tone's fond, despite the words. He got a phone call at 12:05 P.M. a couple of hours ago, approximately two minutes after he stepped off the street and into his townhouse.

It was appreciated.

[consideredwrong]

"Actually," Ben says, with a deep breath, "I'm organizing my sources for the prov--background information on the treasure," editing himself.

"As I have two bookshelves dedicated to the subject it's becoming somewhat time-consuming. What's in the bag?"

[shortofcrazy]

"Something way better than your prov-background information," says Riley, (slightly uncharacteristically) mad-cheerful despite the mocking, and he reaches into the bag.

He pulls out a PlayStation 2 controller.