By Jim Doran
“What in Hades are you doing here?”
Kytt Windthorn scrambled away from the person who had whispered over her left shoulder. She jerked her head, knocking her glasses askew. Kytt turned around and crouched next to a display case of a shadow-filled Palmer’s Jewelry Store. She crossed her arms, a diamond necklace swaying from her left hand.
The whisperer was a black-garbed woman with a baggy shirt, wool cap, and black skirt. She had a brown duffel bag slung over her shoulder and held herself with the authority of an army general. The woman didn’t have a weapon, but her tone was less inquiring and more commanding.
Kytt had a job to do. Steal the necklace, pawn it to Peabody’s—they never ask questions—and give the money to Tippi. Most of the money. Kytt’s rent was due Thursday. Regaining her composure, Kytt asked, “What are you doing here? And if you say, ‘I asked you first,’ I’ll punch you.”
The other intruder eyed the necklace. “Put that back.”
“What are you? Security? I want to see credentials!”
The woman’s cheeks turned red. “I’m an interested citizen. Now, put the jewelry back and walk away.”
No. Kytt needed this necklace. She had hoped for a larger haul, but the object in her hand would achieve her goal. Kytt hung her head and stretched her arm, pretending to restore the purloined piece. Then she swung her leg to trip her adversary.
Her target anticipated the move and leaped away. “Try that again, and you’ll wake up tomorrow morning.”
Kytt retrieved a switchblade from her belt and flipped it open. “I don’t want to hurt you.”
“The way you’re holding that knife, you’ll likely hurt yourself.”
“Please, go.”
The woman feinted left, and Kytt swung. The sharp edge sliced air. Her foe’s hand wound around her wrist in a half-second, and she squeezed. Aye yai yai! She was strong! Kytt wailed and dropped the knife.
Her opponent kicked the weapon away. “Do you have any more tricks? I’m on the clock.”
“What clock? Why are you here?”
The woman’s jaw twitched as she released her wrist. “None of your business.”
“I get it.” Kytt made a peace sign. “You’re a thief. You leave. I leave. Honor among thieves. Am-I-right?”
“There’s only one thief here, or would-be thief.”
What leverage did she have? This woman must have bypassed the external security—Kytt had assumed it was faulty when she entered—but the electronic eyes in the cabinets were active. So she had disconnected the external, but not internal, systems. She wasn’t a burglar, but she had some hidden agenda.
If Kytt’s opponent had an agenda, then exposure was her weakness, or she would have called the police by now.
Kytt fisted her gloved hand and aimed it at the display. “You don’t want anyone to know you’re here, do you? If I break the glass, it will set off the alarms. They’ll know about you.”
Frowning, the woman reached for something in her pouch. Kytt wagged her free hand’s index finger at her. “Nuh, uh. Hands where I can see them. Now, who are you?”
The woman gritted her teeth.
“Your name?” asked Kytt.
“Rebecca.”
“Okay, Becs. What are you doing here?”
“You are in over your head, caucasian, young adult woman with brown hair, glasses, a gap in her teeth, and two different colored eyes.”
Kytt grimaced. “Why are you talking weird?”
Rebecca’s eyes blazed. “Because, Kytt Windthorn, I can learn about you and make your life a living hades.”
“Hades?” Kytt blinked. “You mean hell? Is that a code for something? Waitaminute! You have someone in your ear! You’re not a San Diego cop. FBI? CIA? Men in Black?”
Rebecca said, “Stop guessing and return the necklace. If you trigger the alarm, I’ll pin everything I did on you.”
Kytt pointed at her. “OMG. You’re a real spy, aren’t you? Why are you here tonight?”
“If I tell you, will you restore the merchandise and leave?”
“Yeah.”
“Security feed erasure,” said Rebecca. “The camera caught another agent on video without her… disguise. The exposure might cost her her life. That’s all I’ll tell you. As for you, if you don’t comply, I’ll tip off the police. The tape will resurface. You’ll be on it, casing the store.”
Kytt hesitated. If Rebecca was CIA, she wasn’t making idle threats.
Rebecca folded her arms. “And then, jail. I’ll make sure you land in a cell—” She cut herself off and grinned. “With bugs. Scuttling inside the walls.”
Stupid person in her ear. They knew about her bug phobia. Kytt raised her arms. “You got me. I’ll return it.”
The thief made a show of setting the necklace into the display. “I was going to pawn this for my friend, Tippi. She has a newborn and can’t afford the doctor’s bills.”
Rebecca stepped forward and grabbed her shoulder. “Appealing to my compassion won’t work. Let’s go.”
Rebecca put her hands on Kytt’s sides and moved her forward. Kytt shrugged her off. “Hey! Personal space, Becs.”
“You waived that right when you threatened me. Now, move.”
They exited the building. Rebecca faced Kytt and snorted. “You remind me a little of myself when I started. I caused trouble in the name of doing right. It didn’t always work out as I planned.”
Kytt said, “I hope you’re happy. What if Tippi’s baby becomes sick?”
Rebecca retreated, still facing Kytt. She darted into an alleyway, shouting, “There’s honor among spies as well.”
Kytt’s curiosity prompted her to follow Rebecca. She peeked around the corner. The alley was empty.
“Of course.” Kytt patted her pocket. “At least she doesn’t know about this.”
Kytt froze. The object in her pocket wasn’t the broach she had lifted when she had restored the necklace to its case. What the—?
Kytt reached into her pocket and retrieved a handkerchief. Unfolding it, she found a wad of five hundred-dollar bills. The handkerchief had a monogrammed “R” on it.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Loved this story! What started as a ho-hum jewelry robbery quickly grabbed my imagination. Who was this mysterious Rebecca? The humor made it all the better! Excellent!
Thank you for reading. You may read more about Rebecca in the DEED “world.”
Nifty twist ending!
Thank you for reading!
This was great! I am intrigued with Rebecca…I’m glad you have her in your novel. I’ll have to add it to my list of reads. :)
Thank you!
A handkerchief full of money? Does Rebecca have dollars for boogers??!
LOL
Very clever, a nice take on Kytt, and a wonderful twist.
Thank you.
Excellent read! I liked the way Kytt found herself up against something more than she anticipated.
Thank you!
Great story!
Thanks!
I’m with Kytt, if someone threatened to lock me in a cell with bugs, I’d give in as well. 😅 Great story!