****
Original Sin
- Part Two
Disclaimer: See Part 1
Rating: PG
--
Detroit MI, January 2002
Just after midnight a lone figure looked across the various displays held within the room and down below her to the roped off stand covered with the Plexiglas. Quickly a small power drill came out and a bit was fitted into the front nozzle. In a matter of seconds four holes were drilled, four bolts with conductors were snapped into the holes and wires clipped into place. Pair of eyes flicked over the readout on the power source, watching the little green and red lights flicker, then burn steady in green. Out came a glasscutter and within another few minutes, a hole large enough for the thief to fit through was cut and removed.
Quickly and securely a harness was strapped into place around the feminine figure and clamped to the building's support beams. She took a deep breath and slid slowly headfirst in through the hole. Her ankles wrapped around the steady and strong black rappelling rope as she slid down inch by inch. Her eyes were fixed onto the Plexiglas container directly below. The long black braid hung below her as she crept down. The only thing to halt her progress was the flickering of a flashlight. Her ankles and fists grasped the rope tightly and she froze, her eyes watching as the guard peeked into the room. The flashlight's beam caused a rainbow of glitter and sparkle when it came to rest on the case in question.
Inside the first case were two jewels, one of the woman's targets, but not her only one. Below her as she swayed a mere 20 feet over the case and the guard's head, were two cases holding a total of four enormous natural gems, all of them cut and polished by master jewelers from the 17th century and then hidden for centuries by some King. The third case held an exquisite crown crusted with diamonds, emeralds, pearls, rubies, sapphires and other gems. If this guard could ever get his fat ass out of the way, she could get those damned jewels, get out of here and get her life back. Shaking her head, she watched, moderating her breath so as not to panic. This was old hat really, like riding a horse you could say. After all, she'd been a master jewel thief for years...
At that thought, her foot grip loosened and she dropped a few feet down before she got a grip again and halted her descent. The guard looked around for a moment at the slight rasping hiss of her thin-soled boots skidding against the rope. But as she swung there above him now less than 15 feet from the cases, she held her breath now and waited for him to go off and inspect another room. 'Come on, come on, come on' she thought. 'Get the lead out, rent-a-cop, and let me get on with business...'
As if heeding her rushing, the guard decided that nothing funky was going on and wandered off on his rounds into another room of exhibits. Breathing a sigh of relief, Kennedi eased the rest of the way down. Flipping over, she released the harness clamp and landed with a cat like grace and silence in front of the first case containing the emerald and the ruby. Out came the cutter again and a hole large enough to fit her fist through was soon removed.
She had the two gems stashed in her pack and moved on to the second one. Again she cut the Plexiglas and removed the cutting. She had just stashed the other two when the guard came back. Immediately she froze, then the flight instinct kicked in and she abandoned the crown, heading for the dangling rope. However, her flight up the rope was interrupted by the click of a hammer being drawn back on a gun. "Shhhhhhhhhhhhit' she thought and dropped back to the ground silently, landing like a cat did on all fours. Slowly she raised up, both gloved hands at shoulder level to show she was unarmed.
"Move away from the case slowly." the guard ordered.
Slowly she did as instructed and edged backwards. Luckily he was behind her and hadn't seen her face yet. When she guessed that she was a few feet from him, she slowly turned around to face him.
"Nice try cutie. But you weren't good enough. I think it's time that the Detroit Metro Police get their hands on you."
Not good enough? Her eyes narrowed a bit and when the guard lowered the gun, she drew back her fist. She let loose a right hook into the guard's jaw, as his eyes grew wide as saucers. He managed to fire a single shot, missing her but shattering the case behind her that bore another jeweled exhibit.
"Goddamnit..." she muttered and decked him again to make sure he was out. There was no need to kill him, he wasn't that important. But, there was always more than one and with that shot fired... There wasn't the chance to finish the thought as more flashlights and running footsteps heralded the arrival of more guards. This was going to be interesting. She took off running, her footsteps light and fast in the thin-soled boots. Her clothing of black leggings and a skintight black turtleneck helped her blend easily into the shadows. The only thing slowing her down was the pack strapped over her shoulders.
Always complications, why did there always have to be complications? It took more than fifteen minutes of chasing and eluding before she ditched the guards and felt safe enough to relax. 'Well,' she sighed. 'Looks like you're in for a long wait until the doors open in the morning.'
****
Original Sin
- Part Two
Disclaimer: See Part 1
Rating: PG
--
Detroit MI, January 2002
Just after midnight a lone figure looked across the various displays held within the room and down below her to the roped off stand covered with the Plexiglas. Quickly a small power drill came out and a bit was fitted into the front nozzle. In a matter of seconds four holes were drilled, four bolts with conductors were snapped into the holes and wires clipped into place. Pair of eyes flicked over the readout on the power source, watching the little green and red lights flicker, then burn steady in green. Out came a glasscutter and within another few minutes, a hole large enough for the thief to fit through was cut and removed.
Quickly and securely a harness was strapped into place around the feminine figure and clamped to the building's support beams. She took a deep breath and slid slowly headfirst in through the hole. Her ankles wrapped around the steady and strong black rappelling rope as she slid down inch by inch. Her eyes were fixed onto the Plexiglas container directly below. The long black braid hung below her as she crept down. The only thing to halt her progress was the flickering of a flashlight. Her ankles and fists grasped the rope tightly and she froze, her eyes watching as the guard peeked into the room. The flashlight's beam caused a rainbow of glitter and sparkle when it came to rest on the case in question.
Inside the first case were two jewels, one of the woman's targets, but not her only one. Below her as she swayed a mere 20 feet over the case and the guard's head, were two cases holding a total of four enormous natural gems, all of them cut and polished by master jewelers from the 17th century and then hidden for centuries by some King. The third case held an exquisite crown crusted with diamonds, emeralds, pearls, rubies, sapphires and other gems. If this guard could ever get his fat ass out of the way, she could get those damned jewels, get out of here and get her life back. Shaking her head, she watched, moderating her breath so as not to panic. This was old hat really, like riding a horse you could say. After all, she'd been a master jewel thief for years...
At that thought, her foot grip loosened and she dropped a few feet down before she got a grip again and halted her descent. The guard looked around for a moment at the slight rasping hiss of her thin-soled boots skidding against the rope. But as she swung there above him now less than 15 feet from the cases, she held her breath now and waited for him to go off and inspect another room. 'Come on, come on, come on' she thought. 'Get the lead out, rent-a-cop, and let me get on with business...'
As if heeding her rushing, the guard decided that nothing funky was going on and wandered off on his rounds into another room of exhibits. Breathing a sigh of relief, Kennedi eased the rest of the way down. Flipping over, she released the harness clamp and landed with a cat like grace and silence in front of the first case containing the emerald and the ruby. Out came the cutter again and a hole large enough to fit her fist through was soon removed.
She had the two gems stashed in her pack and moved on to the second one. Again she cut the Plexiglas and removed the cutting. She had just stashed the other two when the guard came back. Immediately she froze, then the flight instinct kicked in and she abandoned the crown, heading for the dangling rope. However, her flight up the rope was interrupted by the click of a hammer being drawn back on a gun. "Shhhhhhhhhhhhit' she thought and dropped back to the ground silently, landing like a cat did on all fours. Slowly she raised up, both gloved hands at shoulder level to show she was unarmed.
"Move away from the case slowly." the guard ordered.
Slowly she did as instructed and edged backwards. Luckily he was behind her and hadn't seen her face yet. When she guessed that she was a few feet from him, she slowly turned around to face him.
"Nice try cutie. But you weren't good enough. I think it's time that the Detroit Metro Police get their hands on you."
Not good enough? Her eyes narrowed a bit and when the guard lowered the gun, she drew back her fist. She let loose a right hook into the guard's jaw, as his eyes grew wide as saucers. He managed to fire a single shot, missing her but shattering the case behind her that bore another jeweled exhibit.
"Goddamnit..." she muttered and decked him again to make sure he was out. There was no need to kill him, he wasn't that important. But, there was always more than one and with that shot fired... There wasn't the chance to finish the thought as more flashlights and running footsteps heralded the arrival of more guards. This was going to be interesting. She took off running, her footsteps light and fast in the thin-soled boots. Her clothing of black leggings and a skintight black turtleneck helped her blend easily into the shadows. The only thing slowing her down was the pack strapped over her shoulders.
Always complications, why did there always have to be complications? It took more than fifteen minutes of chasing and eluding before she ditched the guards and felt safe enough to relax. 'Well,' she sighed. 'Looks like you're in for a long wait until the doors open in the morning.'
****