Zack and Ivy looked at Carmen. Surprised.
"Wait, wait, wait! Someone wants you to steal...for them?!" Ivy exclaimed.
Carmen nodded. "Yup. And if we don't play along, who knows what would happen?" She said, putting the letter down on the coffee table.
Shadowsan grunted. "It is obvious that this is a trap. We will have to proceed carefully."
Carmen nodded. "Right." She said, turning to the siblings.
"The note mentioned you two. Could this person have something to do with your past?" Carmen said, remembering that the mysterious sender had addressed Zack and Ivy by name. Which means they have met before, or maybe just..knows them. By hacking or something.
Ivy raised an eyebrow. "The only people we've ever known were our parents, Carm. No one else." She said, while also slightly worried since that person did mention her and her brother.
Carmen frowned. "Then we'll just have to wait and see who we're up against."
___________________
Trey Sterling groaned as he was handed his drink. "They should be here by now." He said, twirling the straw inside his cup.
Sterling sighed. "Son, have I ever taught you patience?" He asked, still waiting on his own drink.
Trey shrugged. "Mom did. Then she died. And you were barely around, so basically, no you didn't."
Sterling growled, ready to scold his son, but then the door opened with a ding. The two men then looked around to see Carmen Sandiego herself.
Sterling smiled at her. "It seems she wants to help us." He said to his son, as they saw Carmen look around for the anonymous person she was supposed to be meeting.
Seeing that Carmen won't know who she is looking for unless they reveal themselves, Trey waved his hand in the air.
"Yo, lady! You're supposed to meet with us!" Trey called out to her.
Carmen looked towards Trey's direction, looking surprised, no doubt. She frowned, slowly walking over to their table.
Carmen smirked. "Well, well, well, who do we have here?" She said in amusement, sitting across from the father and son.
Sterling smiled at her. "Carmen. Good to see you got my letter." He said, before glancing at the other people in Carmen's crew. Who were Zack, Ivy and Shadowsan.
Carmen rolled her eyes. "Yeah, well it's not like I couldn't see it. Not everyday a letter appears on your doorstep addressing you as your main alias." She said, crossing her arms over her chest.
Sterling chuckled. "I suppose you are right."
"Ughh.." Trey groaned. "Can't we just get this stupid meeting over with?" He asked, his impatience increasing by the second.
Sterling curtly nodded. "Right. You got my letter, as you said before. Do you agree to work for us?"
Carmen sighed, leaning forward in her chair. "It depends. All you said was "a very important task". Does it involve stealing or not?" She said, wanting answers straight away.
Trey put his drink down. Starting to speak. "Okay, okay, so basically—there's this company that's rivaling against ours in the money department. And they stole our blueprints. And we know you're the Robin Hood type who steals and then gives the things you steal back to their owners-"
"So you want me to steal back the blueprints?" Carmen guessed.
"....Yeah."
Carmen laughed. "You're right about the Robin Hood part. But I'm not some thief for hire." She said, still not believing Sterling thinks she'll just steal for him automatically.
Sterling raised an eyebrow at her. "Then..what are you?"
Carmen gave him a deadpan look. "Do you really want me to answer that?"
"No..?"
Carmen looked at Zack and Ivy, who hesitantly nodded. And over at Shadowsan who said nothing. He was just..looking at her. Which meant that the others wanted to do this. And since she was the leader, she needs to speak out for all of them.
Carmen sighed, looking back at the Sterlings. "Fine. We'll do it."
Sterling smiled, somewhat knowing that she'll accept his deal. "Great! I need them back a few days from now to start building the product. So..I guess that's how long you have."
Carmen nodded, standing up. "Consider it done, then." She said, pulling out a small notepad she kept in her purse. Writing something on it and giving it to Sterling.
"That's my number. It's completely untraceable, so no one will know it's me you're calling." Carmen said, plastering a fake smile on her face.
Sterling smiled and took the paper. Glancing briefly at the neat handwriting. "Thanks. See you around?"
Carmen began walking out of the shop, glancing at him over her shoulder. "See you around." She said, before disappearing in broad daylight with the rest of her crew.
Once the team was gone, Sterling let out a sigh of relief. He chuckled.
"I honestly didn't think she would accept." He said, sipping his coffee.
Trey rolled his eyes. "Yeah, yeah, whatever. As long as we get our blueprints back, then that's all that matters."
Sterling frowned at his son. "We really need to talk about your attitude."
____________________
"So, that's it?"
Team Red was walking back to their HQ. After having just met with the mystery people—who are now known as the Sterlings.
Carmen shook her head. "Of course it's not. Sterling is obviously hiding something. Something about that company he's against." She said, remembering Trey mentioning that other auto group that the Sterlings rivaled with.
Zack frowned at her. "What does he not want us to know?"
Carmen bowed her head slightly. "I don't know. But maybe we could find out if we get our hands on a name or two."
"Perhaps Player could help with that part." Shadowsan chimed in.
Carmen smirked. "Perhaps he could."