The Big Heist

With a death grip on the steering wheel, Tommy weaves through the slower-moving traffic, trying to make it to the warehouse on time. He's been looking forward to this heist for weeks because it promises to have the biggest payout of all. Slide them right on over to easy street.

This job should cover the rest of Jen's aftercare. He smiles. One of the hospital's presurgery requirements is that Jen's follow-up care be paid in full before they'll even consider putting her on the donor list.

He pulls up to the hideout and discovers the parking lot to be empty. I hope they didn't decide to do this without me. Hopping out of the car, he jogs across the overgrown yard. Trash is scattered amongst the leaves adding to the desolate feel.

The lean-to's door flies open. Vinnie grabs Tommy and jerks him inside.

"Nice seeing you too, pal." Tommy laughs, straightening his clothes.

"We're a little excited about this job, can you tell?"

"Let's get to it then."

***

The daily hustle and bustle of the squad room continue around them. Some officers are walking to and fro. A few others are taking statements at their desks. The two Berryville Detectives and their sergeant review recent burglary reports in the far corner of the room.

"According to the reports, the thief is in and out within a half-hour. So, we can assume that whoever is pulling off these jobs is

familiar with the house and with the victim's routine."

The Sergeant glances up from her notes. "Were there any strange cars reported in the neighborhood, Jerry?"

"No, the neighbors all claim it was a normal mid-march day."

"Is there any security footage, Kirk?"

"There's one traffic cam on Fremont and Main, but since the robbery occurred during the morning rush, it's going to take a while to sort through it."

"We still need to pull the tape, see what we can find. Is there any connection between the victims?"

"I haven't found anything so far, and by the looks of it, I doubt I will."

"Why do you think that, Kirk?"

"Their lives couldn't be any different. Some are from old money while others made their living through various means. And their locations are all over the map." Pointing to the whiteboard, he continues. "I figure the perp must've grown up here since he targets different areas." After three years as a beat cop and then ten in the lab, Kirk finally decided to take the detective exam. He's proven to be a big asset to the team since.

"Keep digging into the victims' backgrounds. Jerry and I will see what we can find on the webcam." She turns towards her other detective. "if that's alright with you?"

"Sounds good to me, Sergeant." Jerry has been with the police force for 16 years. He made sergeant in 10. After suffering from several health issues, the doctor advised him to retire or find a less stressful job. Jerry didn't want to give up police work entirely, so he decided to step down after encouraging Rachel to apply for the position. She took the test and was promoted soon after. Although Rachel outranks him, she often asks for his approval out of respect.

Hearing footsteps coming their way, Rachel glances up to find the captain rushing towards them.

"Guys, there's been a robbery on Church Street. Patrol believes it's the same perp."

Rachel shakes her head. "We're on our way, Captain.

***

The three men pull up to the beautiful two-story brick mansion just off of Homestead Drive. The immaculate home sits on five acres of a well-kept lawn. Several large statues are scattered throughout. A row of French Lavender flowers runs the full length of the walk. There are two colorful flower beds on either side of the grand entryway. Tommy follows the road to the service entrance around the back.

"You weren't kidding about the house being fancy, Tommy," Vinnie says, admiring the pricy home.

"If you think this is fancy, wait until you get a look inside." Turning off the car, he turns towards his friends. "Remember, only take what we can get rid of things that'll be hard to trace."

"We know, we know," Vinnie says, reaching for the door.

"When I say it's time we leave," Tommy adds as they head towards the house.

Tommy is punching in the security code when he hears gravel crunching in the driveway. He looks over and sees a Cadillac XT5 heading their way. They never have visitors this time of day. Glancing around, he finds there's no way to escape without being seen. He glances at his friends again. I can explain me being here, but not them. Unlocking the service door, Tommy shoves his friends inside. Hopefully, he won't go inside. "Find somewhere to hide in case this goes south." He looks over to find the car is getting closer.

"Tommy, I..." Vinnie begins.

"I don't have time to argue." Closing the door turns to find the car is just a few feet away. I hope whoever it is, buys my excuse. He takes a few deep breaths hoping to steady his nerves as the car pulls up in front of him. I can do this, he thinks. Tommy tries to size up the meddler, but the windows are heavily tinted, making it impossible to see who's inside. The not-knowing terrifies Tommy even more. After what seems like a lifetime, the glass barrier slides down.

Tommy finds an older, distinguished gentleman in the back seat. His fancy Gucci pinstriped baby-blue suit and the assortment of rings decorating his short stubby fingers scream money. The way he holds himself gives off an aura of power and prestige.

"What are you doing loitering on my friend's property?" he asks. A fat Havana bobs from the corner of his mouth when he talks.

Tommy recalls a cold, ruthless character he'd met when he was a child. How terrified he was of the monstrous man. I'm not that frightened child anymore. In the corner of Tommy's mind, he feels like he's eight again. An image of him facing the horrific man pops into his head. Tommy pushes it aside. He gulps and then weakly mutters, "I... I was...."

A cold, callous look creeps across the man's face. He reaches into his suit and pulls out what appears to be a gun.

Terrified, Tommy plops to the ground.

***

The detectives see forensics diligently working the scene when they pull up to the house. The home is a two-story baby-blue Victorian. All the homes around it are listed on the National Historic Registry dating back as far as the mid-1800s.

"This is Jack and Elizabeth Barkley. The owners of the house," a uniformed officer informs her when she steps up to the porch.

"My name is Rachel, and these are my partners, Jerry and Kirk." She takes a notebook from her pocket and then continues. "They said your house was broken into?"

"Yes, yes. My wife and I left on a business trip. We came back, and I found this."

"Who would do this to us, Jack, who?" Elizabeth buries her face in her hands.

"I don't know, honey." He gently wraps his arm around her. She snuggles against him.

"At least you weren't hurt," Kirk says.

Horror fills Elizabeth's eyes. "He's right. We could've been killed." Feeling her body tremble, Jack pulls her in closer and then glares at the detective.

Feeling the animosity, Rachel clears her throat and says, "How long were you gone?"

"We left Sunday evening and returned today."

"Do either of you have any enemies, maybe someone who has a grudge against you?"

"I can't think of anyone, can you, honey?"

Elizabeth wipes a tear from her cheek. She sniffles and says, "Not a soul."

"Does anyone else have a key, a housekeeper, nanny, or gardeners perhaps?"

Elizabeth glances up. "We can't afford to hire help; we're barely scraping by."

"Barely scraping by?" Rachel glances inside the elaborate house.

"Well, not barely, but we do have to watch what we spend." She gets a dreamy look in her eyes. "The baby will be here soon. Seeing the sergeant eyeing her stomach she explains. "We're adopting a baby from Russia."

"I bet that cost a small fortune."

"It took most of our savings, but it'll be worth every penny when we hear the pitter-patter of little feet."

"If you think of anything useful, please let me know." The sergeant hands them her card.

Jack takes it from her. "We will."

Rachel walks across the lawn; her partners follow. When they're a safe distance away, she turns around. "I have a new spin on the robberies, guys."

"What's that?" Kirk asks.

"What if it's an inside job?"

"We've already looked into the staff from the first crime scenes, and they said they don't hire out."

"What if it's the owners and not their staff?"

"Why would they want to steal their own stuff?" Kirk questions, scratching his head.

"They wouldn't steal it. They'd move it to a different location. Then file a false police report and wait for the insurance money to roll in."

"I can see someone doing that if they're desperate, but these guys? He gestures towards the house.

"One couple told us the economy is hurting their business, and this couple said the adoption wiped them out. So, who's to say the other couples aren't in a financial crisis as well?"

"It's possible, I suppose, unlikely but possible."

"Don't you guys think it's odd that the robber seems to know all the codes and that nothing suspicious is reported when the burglaries occur, Jerry?"

"I'll check the owner's whereabouts, but I still say your theory is way off."

"I'll tell you what, if I'm wrong, which I'm not, I'll make you supper anything you want."

Jerry's eyes light up as he pictures the delicious feat. He licks his lips.

"When you lose, you'll take me to the restaurant of my choice."

"You don't want me to cook for you?"

"I've tasted your food, and I'd much rather eat jailhouse slop."