The Thief

Someone was knocking at the door. Ryan hesitated, dropped the diamond necklace into the black velvet pouch tucked underneath his jacket and closed the wall safe. Lunging behind the large antique cherry desk, he silently prayed no one would notice the painting hiding the safe was ever so slightly askew. The bedroom door down the hallway opened.

"I'm coming, hold your horses."

The voice belonged to Noreen Lansing, extremely successful donut shop entrepreneur and lawful owner of the necklace Ryan clutched. He had worked too hard on planning this heist and on short notice at that. He took slow, deep breaths to still the heartbeats hammering in his chest. He shifted his weight slightly, just enough to pat the pistol in his pocket to be certain it was still there. He would not leave here empty handed. Lansing slipped into view, clothed in the luxurious plush terrycloth bathrobe provided to lodgers at the Regal Ambassador. She glanced in the peephole then opened the door.

"Package for N. C. Lansing. Sign here lady. Thanks." The messenger pocketed the cash proffered by Lansing and disappeared down the hallway.

Lansing ripped open the wrapping paper, revealing a man's gold ring featuring a large sparkling diamond solitaire. She read the enclosed note aloud.

"Dear Noreen, Keep the diamond and go to hell. Todd."

Lansing laughed, crumpled the note and tossed it and the package into the wastebasket inches from where Ryan lay. Pouring a sparkling water over a lemon slice, Lansing raised her glass in a toast.

"There are too many fish in the ocean to count and too many men in the world to waste time crying over one. Bring on the next challenger. This time, one with some balls."

Lansing drained her glass, tossed her bathrobe and strolled to the bedroom clad only in bra and panties.

Ryan looked at the departing Noreen Lansing and then to the black velvet bag. He crept silently to the safe, opened it and placed the necklace inside, departing as quiet as a shadow.

Two years later, Noreen Lansing sat at the best table in the dining room of the Regal Ambassador, sipping sparkling water on lemon, then glancing surreptitiously at the slender watch at her wrist.

"Five minutes more, and I'm out of here," she declared aloud.

"Not without me, beautiful."

Ryan bowed at the head of the table, presenting a lavish bouquet of roses to the ever so slightly smiling Noreen. The boy was learning after all. Since they met two years ago to the very day, Ryan had proved himself a worthy companion. Noreen was glad she hadn't shot him when she first saw him pilfering her necklace. Lucky for him she was a sucker for blonds.