Chapter 1

Paris, France

When Katarina Bishop was three, she went on her first heist. Her parents took her to the Louvre to case it. That was her first and last heist with her mom. For many years after that Kat has always found a pull to Paris; visiting now and then, always visiting the Louvre but never casing it. Her father, Bobby Bishop, was the same, there was something about casing the Louvre that didn't sit right, it didn't feel the same without Nadia there to help.

As tradition on March 14th, Katarina made her way through the crowds lining up to pay her fee, going in through the front like everyone else. Kat tried not to notice how many security guards were situated around the gallery (12 including one in plain clothes), nor how many cameras were around (30 on a closed network and several hidden in potted plants), what she tried to appreciate was the art. Looking at the paintings through the eyes of the artist, goosebumps appeared on her arm as she thought of the brush strokes. This part of the museum wasn't crowded, the biggest attraction was at the other end of the building, and those who truly appreciated art were in these smaller exhibits.

Kat was aware of everyone in the room. The old man coughing every now and then, fighting off a cold accumulated from a chilling winter.

'You're early' Kat didn't need to turn around to know who was speaking.

'You say that every year' She turned to the man next to her

'You get earlier every year' Bobby Bishop smiled. Kat shrugged, her eyes drifting up to the painting

'I just wish I had more time' She muttered. Bobby placed an arm around her shoulder, giving a slight squeeze.

'Me too' They stayed in comfortable silence. Both of them knowing what to say but neither one of them wanting to say it. It isn't the same without Mom. Bobby cleared his throat. 'Should we head round?' He asked. Kat nodded allowing her father to lead her through the museum to what was usually an even quieter room. However, today this room was a hive of activity. There was tape across the door with two security guards blocking the entrance. Her father's hand dropped from around her shoulder, at the same moment Kat felt her heart sink. Something was seriously wrong. As they neared, a man exited the room, dabbing a cloth over his moist forehead. He spoke to the guards in rapid French, then glanced up at us.

'Ah Mr Bishop!' He came towards us.

'What's going on?'

'We are so happy that you have come here once again however there is a slight pr-'

'What's going on?' There are only a few times that Kat had ever seen her father angry, many times he had been in role, playing a part, but her father wasn't acting. Her father was genuine and he wanted answers.

'The...the painting that you have on display..it has been taken' Those words felt like a knife straight to Kat's heart.

'How did this happen?' She asked; although she already knew a 100 ways that it could have been stolen (and that's just using a left shoe and a hair band), she needed to ask the question, and she needed answers.

'We are investigating it as we speak'

'Are you coordinating with Interpol?' She asked. The plump museum director glanced over Kat, wondering how a teenager knew so much but said so little.

'I can assure you that the respective authorities have been notified'

'And when were we going to be notified?' Her father asked

'This has only occurred in the last 24 hours. There were several other paintings that were taken and we're notifying them shortly'

'Which paintings?' Kat asked. Again the director looked over Kat.

'A Picasso, Two Turners, and your mother's Monet' Kat glanced at her father, out of all the artwork that someone could steal from the Louvre, why would they pick these? 'We are working on solving this' The museum director assured. Abruptly Kat and her father turned, leaving the museum, not saying a word to each other. They didn't talk as they made their way through the streets, and they still didn't talk when they were at the airport boarding a plane back to the States. Once the aircraft was airborne, Kat turned to her father and he turned to her.

'This was planned' She said

'I know'

'That Monet isn't one of his greatest and I know that there were at least three Picasso's in there and a Da Vinci as well as a Van Gogh. It seems ridiculous that they weren't taken!'

'I know'

'It was Mom's Monet' Kat's voice finally cracked, the weight of what occurred taking its toll on her.

'I know' Kat's father wrapped his arm around her, pulling her close, soothing her.

Author's note: New story! I've decided to give the Heist Society series another go. I hope that you all enjoy my 16th story! xxx