Chapter Two: The Untouchable Thief
998 Words
Detective Marcus Hall sat at his desk, staring at the paperwork in front of him like it was a personal affront. Just hours ago, he had arrested Nathaniel Grey, a thief so notorious that his name was whispered with admiration and disdain in equal measure. Now, Grey was striding out of the precinct like he owned the place, a smug grin plastered across his irritatingly perfect face.
Marcus’s pen snapped in half as he tightened his grip.
“I told you, Detective,” Nathaniel said, pausing by Marcus’s desk. He adjusted the cuffs of his now wrinkled suit, his movements slow and deliberate, like he had all the time in the world. “Charges? None. Evidence? Conveniently misplaced. You see, some people—very important people, I might add—don’t want me behind bars.”
Marcus glared at him. “You robbed half the corrupt politicians in the city. You expect me to believe they’re protecting you?”
“Not them, dear Marcus,” Nathaniel said, leaning in conspiratorially. “Their enemies. It’s all very… delicate.”
“Delicate?” Marcus snapped. “You’ve broken more laws than I can count!”
“And yet,” Nathaniel said, spreading his arms theatrically, “here I am. A free man. Life’s funny like that.”
Before Marcus could respond, Ramirez appeared at his side, her expression a mixture of frustration and disbelief. “You’re not going to believe this, but the higher-ups just confirmed it. No charges. We’re supposed to let him go.”
Marcus stared at her, his jaw tightening. “Why?”
“They wouldn’t say,” she replied, clearly as annoyed as he was. “But it’s above our pay grade.”
Nathaniel clapped his hands together, the sound sharp and cheerful. “Well, this has been fun. Really, it has. But I must be going. Can’t stay in one place too long—gets boring.”
He turned to leave, but then paused, glancing over his shoulder. “Oh, and Marcus?”
“What?” Marcus growled.
“You’ll miss me,” Nathaniel said with a wink before striding out the door.
The precinct’s fluorescent lights buzzed faintly, adding to Marcus’s growing headache. He sat back in his chair, rubbing his temples, when Ramirez dropped a fresh stack of case files on his desk.
“Think he’s working for someone bigger?” Ramirez asked.
“Probably,” Marcus muttered. “Doesn’t make him any less of a pain.”
Before Ramirez could reply, the sound of footsteps echoed through the station. Marcus looked up, and there was Nathaniel, casually strolling back in as if he belonged there.
“What are you doing here?” Marcus asked, exasperated.
Nathaniel gestured toward the coffee machine. “You really think I’d leave without sampling precinct coffee? I hear it’s… infamous.”
“Get out,” Marcus snapped.
But Nathaniel ignored him, grabbing a chipped mug and pouring himself a cup. He took a sip, grimaced, and set the mug down. “Truly vile. I’m impressed you survive on this.”
“You’re free to leave,” Ramirez said, crossing her arms. “Why are you still here?”
Nathaniel grinned, leaning casually against the edge of Marcus’s desk. “Because I like him.” He gestured to Marcus. “He’s got that whole brooding, morally-upright thing going on. It’s endearing.”
Marcus glared at him. “You have five seconds before I find a reason to arrest you again.”
Before Nathaniel could respond, Marcus’s phone buzzed. He picked it up, his expression shifting from annoyance to focus as he listened to the voice on the other end.
“A break-in? Where?” Marcus asked, his tone sharpening. He scribbled something onto a notepad. “All right, I’ll be there.”
As he hung up, Nathaniel tilted his head. “A break-in? How intriguing.”
“None of your business,” Marcus said, grabbing his coat.
“Oh, but it is,” Nathaniel said, his voice taking on a teasing lilt. “You see, I’m something of an expert in the field. I could offer… insights.”
“No.”
Nathaniel smirked. “Come now, Marcus. You know I’d be useful. And admit it—you’re curious why I’m so interested.”
Marcus paused, his coat half on. He hated to admit it, but Nathaniel was right.
“Fine,” Marcus said finally, jabbing a finger in Nathaniel’s direction. “But if you so much as breathe wrong, I’m cuffing you again.”
Nathaniel grinned, clearly pleased. “Deal.”
The scene of the break-in was a high-end jewelry store on the outskirts of the city. Glass littered the floor, and the display cases were empty. The owner, a stout man with a reddened face, was pacing nervously as Marcus and Ramirez arrived.
Nathaniel followed close behind, his eyes sweeping the room with keen interest.
“Who’s he?” the owner asked, frowning.
“Nobody,” Marcus replied.
“Charming,” Nathaniel said, stepping forward to inspect the damage. “Now, let’s see…”
As Marcus questioned the owner, Nathaniel wandered the store, his sharp eyes taking in every detail. He paused by one of the shattered cases, crouching to examine the glass.
“Odd,” he murmured.
“What’s odd?” Marcus asked, reluctantly turning toward him.
Nathaniel straightened, brushing invisible dust from his suit. “The glass is broken from the inside. Whoever did this wasn’t breaking in—they were breaking out.”
Marcus frowned, his mind racing. “Breaking out?”
Nathaniel nodded, his expression serious for once. “Yes. And judging by the precision, I’d say they weren’t amateurs.”
Marcus exchanged a glance with Ramirez, his frustration warring with the nagging feeling that Nathaniel was onto something.
“Fine,” Marcus said begrudgingly. “What else do you see?”
Nathaniel smiled, a gleam of mischief in his eyes. “Oh, Detective, you have no idea what you’ve just unleashed.”
- Writer
