Alpha's Thief

Chapter 1

~Vita~

*Radio announcer*

“Breaking news, another robbery occurred late last night. Police suspect it is the same assailant in the string of robberies that have plagued nearby areas. There is a cash reward for anyone that can give any information about the robberies--”

“Yeah, yeah, I want music not talking.” I sighed flipping the station to one that was playing music.” I grabbed the locket off the nightstand. I went into the back of my closet where my safe lay behind my assortment of black clothes.

I spun the nob three times.

15 to the left.

36 to the right.

18 to the left.

I heard the lock pop I pulled opened the safe door placing the locket inside with all my other valuables.

As I stepped out of my closet I was greeted by the voice of another announcer.

“This just in: There has been an arrest made for the Emerald Bank robbery. Police have arrested 35-year-old Vernon Marks, a known robber, under suspicion he may have committed the crimes. Did he do it? Stay tuned for updates on the matter."

"The suspense is killing me." I rolled my eyes shutting off the radio.

After setting my security system I was off to the deli to grab breakfast and lunch. My only friend Anastasia hates that I eat like a glutton “All that food is going to catch up to you.” she always tells me. With the life I lead I was pretty sure a lot of things were going to catch up with me. If I was going to worry about things catching up with me food was the least of my concerns.

I got on the elevator somehow managing to wedge myself in with the mail guy, Ted, and his cart. He never said anything, and frankly I prefer it that way. The doors opened on the next floor up and Mrs. Cruel… I mean Mrs. Crue stepped on. She booty-bumped the mail-cart so she could stand in front of the doors. The cart rammed into Ted making him stumble back into the wall.

“Watch what you’re doing you could have hurt him!” I hissed at her.

“He should have said something. How is anyone supposed to know he’s there if he doesn’t speak?” she huffed, booty-bumping it again. I grabbed the cart before it hit him.

“Maybe you should learn a thing or two from him about being quiet.” I told her as the doors opened pushing the cart forward it rammed into her butt sending her stumbling out of the elevator. She regained her balance and spun around fury in her eyes. She opened her mouth to retort but the doors were almost closed.

“I’m not done with you!” she yelled.

“Sorry, can’t hear you. Bye.” I waved. When the door closed, I looked at Ted. He gave me an apologetic look glancing between the door and my face. I waved his concern away. When the elevator stopped next I stepped off and right into a group of people gathered around the flat screen television that hung on the office wall. I caught the tail end of the report, something about a murder.

“First the robbery now a murder the news crews are really getting their exercise today.” I mumbled elbowing through the crowd.

“Malini!” Anastasia exclaimed spotting me as the crowd thinned. “Did you hear?” she asked walking over to me with Ace, a friend of hers, in tow.

“I heard there was a murder that was it.” I informed her.

“The guy they arrested for breaking into the bank he was found dead after he escaped from police.” Ace dutifully informed.

“In the thirty minutes it took me to drive to work this guy was arrested, escaped the police, and died?” I reiterate.

“Pretty much what happened.” Ace shrugged.

“Also, another robber was found mauled but that’s different.” Ace decided to point out as well.

“It’s getting dangerous in this town.” I mused half teasing.

“Only if you’re a thief.” Ace interjected.

“Maybe I should move.” Anastasia said absently making us look at her.

“Why?” Ace and I asked in unison.

“Huh? Uh… no reason!” She said quickly cheeks flushing red.

“You look like you have something on your mind, care to share?” Ace asked looked at her suspiciously.

“Me? No!” she laughed nervously.

“Maybe you’re the jewel thief…” Ace raised an eyebrow nudging her jokingly.

“Little me the thief? As if!” she scoffed, but then she looked thoughtful again. She looked at me she looked like she wanted to tell me something. “I have to go!” She exclaimed before quickly walking away.

“That was uncharacteristically odd.” Ace said rolling his eyes smoothing his blond hair back.

“That’s new.” I said looking at his wrist.

“Yeah, I just got it.” He held up his wrist to show me the expensive gold watch.

“That most have been a fortune.” I studied all the diamonds scattered across the watches surface. “You might want to get those checked.” I said pointing at the diamonds that circled the face.

“They’re real.” he assured me shoving his wrist closer to my face.

“How’d you pay for this on your paycheck?” I placated looking up at him.

“I… Uh… I won it in a drawing…” He stammered quickly pulling his arms behind his back.

“You won it?” I raised an eyebrow.

“Yeah!”

“They don’t give watches away that are thousands of dollars at a simple drawing.” I teased watching him squirm.

“They did at this one… don’t you have to be getting to work.” He hissed before rapidly walking away.

“Touchy.” I mumbled going over to my desk.

Not even fifteen minutes into my workday did my phone started ringing.

“Hello?”

“Miss Wiz?” came a male’s voice on the phone.

“Yes?” There was only one place that called me Miss Wiz…

“This is Steve from Alice Hospital.”

I sighed and pinched the bridge of my nose. “What did my mother do this time?”

“It would seem while she was watching television with the other patients. One of the other patients drank her tea. She then proceeded to attack the other patient. We were able to separate the two and get her back up to her room and calmed down without farther incident. Even though the situation is resolved protocol states we must alert you to such events and the nature.” I sighed shaking my head and listened the same protocol ending they always told me each and every time they call. You would think that after as many times as they call me about my mother’s “episodes” they’d stop having to tell me they had to tell me the events and nature of what happened.

“That’s good that it has been taken care of. Is there anything else?”

“Also, she requested to see you, we suspect that she hasn’t been taking her medicine maybe a visit form you can convince her to take her pills before we have to use force.” Steve suggested.

"I'll be on my way shortly."

"We look forward to seeing you, Miss Wiz."