She crept in the shadows, until she reached the bathroom window. She had studied the building extensively in the past weeks, and knew that this was the best way in, and out. She wondered again at the lack of security, especially when such a precious object lay inside, but the reminded herself not to look the cavallo del regalo, the gift horse, in the mouth. One must always be thankful for small treasures.
It was simple to unlock the window, and she slipped through the narrow space, being careful not to let it bang behind her. She then moved quickly to the door, opened it a tiny crack, and peered out. The hall was empty. Excellent. The guard must be where she predicted, on the other side of the building. Or in one of the offices, studying the deeply intellectual pages of a dirty magazine. It did well to confirm that she hadn't lost her touch in the time off.
Now would come the more difficult part, because she was impatient, and had trouble letting things take their own course. She found a suitable hiding place among one of the potted jungles, and settled in. The guard was required to check the vaults at least twice in his shift, but she didn't know when this time would come. She let most of her mind wander, while the front remained alert for the approach of the guard.
***
She had chosen this city at random. Knowing only that she wanted to go the U.S., she had pulled out a map and pointed. It had taken some time before she actually landed on a major city, but had eventually arrived at her choice. Gotham. Then it was simple enough to obtain a false passport, a wig, and to pack the few supplies that would go with her.
It was really just a matter at having a fresh start. Things had become uncomfortable in Italy, particularly Rome, with the Polizia very concerned about her consistently successful robberies, and consequently watching all possible targets like birds of prey. She could elude them for awhile, but not forever. So had come the decision to move. She had chosen America because of its size, population, and the rumoured stupidity of its officials. It was true enough that she enjoyed a challenge, but she enjoyed staying out of prison more.
And so she'd arrived, ready for her new life, with a new identity, and the new hunting ground of Gotham.
***
The guard approached. She tensed her body, preparing to make the necessary moves. As he opened the door, she crept around until she was directly behind him, and when he moved into the room, she moved with him. As he checked the vaults she turned with him, staying out of his sight lines, perfectly silent. When he reached the back of the room, she stopped shadowing and stood straight, waiting for him to see her.
When he turned around, he stopped, as she knew he would, as so many others had in the past. It was the natural reaction of any man confronted by a woman in a cat-suit. A lithe, attractive woman, she thought to herself appreciatively. But there was no time for self-admiration right now, she had to act quickly. She moved toward him, and put her hand to his throat. With practised ease she simultaneously pushed and pinched the nerve at the back of his jaw, causing him to collapse to the floor.
Casually she stepped over him, and moved to last vault in the room, the one that held tonight's prize, the Grausam family sapphires. The collection was generously on loan to this gallery, to be shown as one of the world's best examples of cut sapphires. However, there was to be not mention of how the Grausam's had achieved these gems, and so many others, through lying, theft, and treachery. Due to this, she didn't really consider it theft to take the gems, just redistribution of previously stolen goods.
The vault posed no problem, she had posed as a temporary secretary and had obtained the codes required to open it. Once it was open, she emptied the contents into a small bag, and made her exit, going back the way she came until she reached the alley-way, via the bathroom window.
She moved silently through the shadows, on constant watch for anyone that might easily remember and report a woman in a cat-suit. It was good for her delicate, quiet movements, but alas, did not blend well into a crowd. Thankfully even in this large a city the streets were almost deserted. When she did happen to see someone, she ducked even farther into the darkness and stood still, not even breathing until he passed. At last she reached a part of town that could hide her, what she supposed could be called the "red-light" district. Amongst the prostitutes and transvestites her cat-suit blended in perfectly. This would do for an easy route home, from here she could catch a taxi and not be considered any different than regular fares.
She removed the stocking mask, opting instead for one that covered only the eyes.
As she waited for one to arrive, she noticed a sudden tension among the rest of the people. They pointed at dark corners, and sometimes at the sky. She wondered if there was some sort of undercover siege on at the moment, and cursed her luck if there was. Then she saw what they were gesturing about.
He came down from one of the rooftops, falling with ease. When he landed, the people backed away at first, and then appeared more comfortable with his presence. They crowded up to him, telling him of the latest crimes in the area, and who they thought was responsible. She did not feel so comfortable. She regarded him with unease, especially the pointed ears and moulded body suit. However, unease was not the only thing she felt grudgingly; there was also a deep attraction. How that could be she didn't know, after all it was a man in what appeared to be a bat costume. But it was there. Suddenly his piercing eyes fell on her, directly on her, and she also felt fear. It was her nature to follow her instincts, and the fear caused her to turn tail. Forget the taxi, she could creep home in the shadows. All she wanted right now was to be away from here, from him.
She ran fast, but easily, instantly ducking into the shadows of the alley. She knew he was following, sensed it, just as she sensed this would be her most challenging escape ever. Well, she though defiantly, if he thought it would be easy, he had another thing coming. Fear always made her angry, and her anger manifested itself into stubbornness. She would simply refuse to be caught. That said, she rapidly changed directions several times, trying to throw him off, always keeping to the dark areas of the street. The bag with the jewels banged heavily against her hip, but she did not tire, she had spent too long training herself to tire that easily.
Just as she had felt his presence appear, almost out of nowhere, now she felt it leave, with such speed she was left a little confused. She turned into a doorway and leaned against the heavy wood, not winded, but not understanding where the intimidating presence had gone. After a few moments of careful deliberation, she came to the conclusion that it wasn't a trap, he had actually left. This decided, she left the doorway to make her careful, and silent, way home.