P. A. B. Widener, as his many initials suggested, had been an extremely rich man during his life. Having built his fortune in the public transportation industry, he constructed Lynnewood Hall, a gigantic mansion outside of Philadelphia called "the last of America's Versailles". The patriarch of one of the wealthiest families in Philadelphia, he set out to fill his new palace with appropriate art work. His collection included works by Raphael, Rembrandt, El Greco, Van Dyck, and Donatello. After his eldest son and grandson died in the sinking of the Titanic, the patriarch died three years later.

Today, it was still a playground for the rich and famous of Philadelphia, as Widener's local descendants still threw lavish parties. With 55 bedrooms, 110 rooms, an art gallery, a ballroom, a swimming pool, Persian rugs, and gilded moldings, the enormous house seemed to be as full of wealth as oxygen. 

Tara Byrne, all things considered, was one of the least wealthy individuals present, but she'd managed to get invited by the grandson of an oil magnate who'd met her at a nightclub; for now, she was playing the role of the proper date, although she was mostly interested in opportunities for blackmail- or simply for profit. She did her best to speak with a slight feigned British accent, rather than the language she used in the headquarters.

Truly, she felt like she was in another world- which was why it was so surprising to see a familiar face.

Kittie had been feigning boredom for close to an hour and the effort was nearly killing her.  The gorgeous mansion she was currently strolling around was a treasure, and filled with treasures and her forehead was damp from the extreme undertaking of not gawking like a toddler.  Her date had already wandered off in search of finer dames than she, and she was fine walking the mansion alone, even if it was getting warmer and harder not to stare at the paintings and tapestries and other beautiful women who were wearing outfits she could never imagine being bale to afford, even in her line of work.  She had just grabbed a glass of champagne, hoping to cool down some, when she swore she saw a familiar face in the crowd.  She sipped the drink and made her way forward until she was close enough to whisper. 

"Tara?" 

Tara hissed under her breath before smiling like she'd recognized an old friend- which was not entirely untrue when it came to Kittie. They were able to speak, but Tara didn't want it to seem like they were conspiring.

"Kittie? What are you doing here? And isn't the molding just grand?"

By making the latter part of her conversation audible, Tara was hoping not to attract attention. Half the biggest gossips in Philadelphia were here, after all.

"Why the molding is unlike anything I've seen before! And I have been in some grand old places."  Kittie picked up on the hint that Tara didn't want to seem like she was colluding with Kittie, so she smiled widely and grabbed a glass of champagne. "Where's your date?  Mine already slunk off with a clingy blonde." 

"My date is... somewhere over in one of those rooms."

She waved a hand to indicate the direction as she rolled her eyes.

"Obsessively discussing football and polo. I expect I'll gain more of his attention once he has a little more to drink."

Tara grabbed a glass of champagne as the two women walked away from the crowd toward a less crowded room. 

"So, what brings you here, Miss Kittie? Business? Pleasure? Both?

"Oh you know, the usual." She sipped her champagne slowly and let a few people straggle past before she spoke again.

"Business of course.  These rich twits aren't exactly the kind of people I enjoy spending time and energy on.  Their possessions however..."

She smiled demurely as another couple of people came past her and Tara.

"And well, I did want to see this grand old place. Before I set fire to it." Tara's eyes widened and Kittie laughed.  "Just kidding of course.  I mean, unless I needed to as a distraction." 

Tara eye's gleamed. Of course she was working. She looked a bit shocked as Kittie mentioned fire, but relaxed shortly.

"Let me know on the fire thing? Give me a warning?"

She smirked.

"Anything in particular catch your eye?"

"Well, to be honest, it's not what, it's who.  Davis McMahon is here, and there is nothing he loves more than rare jewels. 

Kittie stroked her necklace. 

"He's been known to buy them on the spot if they really catch his fancy.  Well, I'm wearing the Star of Jaimeson tonight and plan on getting his attention.  It's a huge risk, but if I play it right I stand to walk away with more than I might lose."  She smiled.  

"Interested?  I have something in my purse for you if you want to help me double team him." 

Tara's eyebrow and the corner of her mouth twitched ever so slightly at the phrase "double team him", but she maintained her composure as she responded to Kittie. 

"Sounds brilliant to me. I'm all ears. What are you hiding in there?"

With a quick motion Kittie pulled out a pair of ruby and diamond Cartier earrings.  She palmed them to Tara as quickly as she could, then feigned reaching for a cigarette. 

"I have a ring if you'd like, but it'll be harder to notice.  We're really trying to grab his eyes and his greediness."   

Tara accepted the earrings without blinking, glancing around to make sure no one saw them. Leaning forward, she asked Kittie in a louder voice.

"Don't suppose I could borrow a few hair pins, if you have any?"

They weren't totally necessary, of course, but it'd be easier to show off the goods if her hair was up. She was happy to get involved here in Kittie's play; after all, what could go wrong?

"Of course I do darling!  Always keep some on hand!" 

Kittie reached back into her purse and got a small handful of bobby pins she somehow seemed to keep collecting and handed them to Tara.

"It does get hot at these galas doesn't it?  I'll be right back." 

Kittie popped into an adjacent room and grabbed two glasses of punch and brought them back in to Tara. 

"How about we take a moment to cool down?"

Tara let Kittie hold both beverages for a moment as she glanced at the somewhat reflective window and began quickly arranging her hair in an up-do. It wasn't her best, of course, but sometimes the slightly haphazard strands of hair actually accentuated the look. With the pins in place, Tara quickly switched out her current earrings, which now seemed rather plain, with the special ones from Kittie.

The change complete, she accepted the glass.

"Cool sounds just fine to me. Perhaps you could point out our person of interest?"

“He’s over in the next room. A rather dashing fellow. Around six three, dark brown hair and devilish yellow green eyes. He’ll be wearing white, with a diamond stickpin in his lapel. He stands out by not standing out. Once you see him you’ll see what I mean. And it won’t be hard to catch his attention, so feign indifference at first. He’s been stung before, but not badly. He’s not as wary as he should be. Anyhow, I trust you with my life. I have no doubt in your abilities.”

Kittie swirled her punch and smiled. 

Tara raised an eyebrow.

"Dashing, you say? Any interest there?"

She walked next to Kittie, both sipping their punch, as they made their way into the next room. Tara exploded into a loud, musical laugh as soon as they walked in, which drew most of the eyes in their direction, at least for a moment. She saw the mark immediately, standing in a small group, but she and Kittie headed over to sit on the sofa- making sure to leave a space at the end for a guest, if one approached them. Tara, not wanting to march right up to the man but happy to stay in his view. Smiling broadly, she made small talk, knowing that Kittie could answer vaguely enough.

"So how's business? How's that boss of yours doing?"

"Business is doing well, I'm enjoying myself and my boss is holding her own, as expected."

Kittie sipped her punch and smiled.  She kept casually glancing around the room, making sure not to catch anyone's eye for longer than a few moments. 

Tara grinned. 

"Not surprised in the slightest."

The next few minutes were consumed by inane chatter as the two women were approached by a man who wanted to discuss polo. He was kindly and politely sent away within minutes, without being aware of how much his presence wasn't wanted. After some further banter, they had their man. 

Davis McMahon approached the with a combination of confidence and amused detachment that only the very rich have perfected. His eyes did seem to alight on their jewelry, among other things. 

"Ladies. How is your evening? Enjoying yourselves?"

Kittie found herself blushing against her will.  Davis was even more handsome the closer he got and this close he looked like a movie star.  She gave a brief nod hello and hoped Tara would fare better.  Luckily, her companion in crime didn't seem as tongue tied and made her hellos.  Finally Kittie's brain broke free of the ice and she managed a response. 

"It's been a perfectly lovely night so far, and you're just making it better!"  Kittie cursed, wondering if she'd come on too strong, but she kept her face a mask of pleasant perfection. 

Tara laughed loudly and musically, resting an arm on Davis's shoulder. 

"I think you have my friend a little tongue-tied, Mr. McMahon."

Well, he certainly look pleased with himself.

"Please. Call me Davis. And you are?"

"Tara. This is Kittie."

"Kittie? What a charming name. And what are you curious about this evening, Kittie?"

"Oh, you know what they say, curiosity killed the cat, so nothing really, other than that beautiful stickpin you have in your lapel. Is it a Chanel?"  

Kittie was finally finding her tongue again after being momentarily smitten by Davis' good looks.  She knew part of his con was to fluster the young women, and occasionally men, who were his targets.  She was sure he had already been drawn in by Tara's earrings, but was less sure about her necklace.  It was a little out of his price range, even if most of it was paste.  She smiled demurely, trying to gain his trust that she was merely a meek socialite who was just a tad out of her purview.  

"It's such a lovely evening isn't it?  Maybe we should go for a walk?"