Unexpected Visitor

Tommy expects to hear gunfire, but he hears laughter instead. He lifts his head off the dirt to find a smile plastered across the stranger's face.

"Did you think I was going to shoot you or something?" Chuckling, he lighting his cigar.

Red-faced, Tommy pulls himself off the ground. "The lighter look like a gun," Tommy replies, dusting himself off.

The man turns the item around in his hand. "I guess it does." Chuckling, he pocketed the lighter. "You never did answer my question. Why are you here when they're not home?"

"I was told to check on their satellite service, make sure they aren't having any issues." Realizing the stranger isn't convinced, Tommy decides to elaborate. "Tommy points toward his van. We've been having trouble in this area, so the higher-ups want us to go house to house, make sure the problems have been resolved." The company had equipment issues a few weeks back. This allows Tommy to add a few more houses to his extensive list. "Guess I'll have to come back another time since they're not here."

"I guess you will." He rolls up the window.

Tommy heads towards his truck. He glances back and finds the man hasn't budged. He's probably waiting until leave. Climbing in his van, he drives away. He looks back to see the man behind him. I'll pull into the neighbor's drive to make my claim seem legit. Signaling, he pulls into the narrow drive.

The intruder slows down, stares a minute then drives away. Tommy breathes a sigh of relief. That was close.

He waits until the busy body is down the road before he heads back to the house. It's probably not a good idea to carry out the heist now I've been seen. I was so looking forward to it too. He pulls his van to the other side of the shed so it can't be spotted from the road. This is just in case old busy-body comes back, he thinks, making double sure it's out of sight. He checks one last time once he's closer to the house. That'll do for now. I need to grab the guys and go; he thinks, nervously punching in the code.

The door clicks open. Stepping inside, Tommy glances around. "Vinnie, Larry, where are you?" He continues through the house. " Vinnie, Larry." His voice echoes down the long dark corridor. It'll take forever to find them ln a house this size. He starts to pull his cell from his pocket when he hears heavy footsteps behind him. Tommy pulls the gun from his waistband as he spins around.

"It's me, it's me," Vinnie says, throwing his hands in the air.

Tommy lowers his weapon. "You shouldn't sneak up on someone like that. Especially when you know, they're packing."

Vinnie lowers his hands. "I wasn't thinking, man."

"Where's Larry?"

"Right here," he says, walking down the hall. "You'll never believe all the goodies we found." Vinnie taps his backpack and then Larry's. "You're right. This is the best heist yet."

"Too bad we can't take it."

Vinnie tosses the luggage on the floor. "What do you mean we can't take it?"

"Did you forget about our visitor?"

"You smoothed it over with him, right?"

"For now, but I'll be their prime suspect when the owners discover their stuff is gone."

"Not the way I've set it up. you won't."

"What did you do, Larry?"

According to their security footage, the robbery happened days ago by two men who don't look a thing like us." Pulling out his phone, he shows Tommy a video clip. "Today's recording shows the place undisturbed."

Tommy smacks his arm. "I told you to turn off the system, not edit it, you idiot."

"This way is much better."

"Until they figure out the video has been tampered with, and then I'll be the prime suspect again."

"They won't figure it out. I promise you that." He smiles smugly.

"I hope you're right."

"Trust me, I am."

"Let's get out of here before the guy comes back."

The three are heading towards the service door when the entry light flips on. High heels tap a rhythmic tune across the freshly-polished tile floor. Startled, the three glance towards the front. They see a breathtaking blonde wearing a chic red dress and spiked heels gliding towards them. Her garment's snug fit, low cleavage, and slit up either side leave little to the imagination.

"The things I'd like to do to her," Larry whispers, drooling all over himself. Being single and not the most handsome gentleman in town, women are few and far between.

Tommy smacks his chest. Come on, loverboy, let's go."

The three move across the darkened kitchen. They make it to the back door when Larry clips a cat with his boot.

The white ball of fluff yelps as it flies into the air. Landing with a thud, the feline lets out an evil hiss then scampers away.

"Who's out there?" the young woman asks, quickening her pace.

***

The small brass bell rings as Kirk steps through the pawn-shop door. This place hasn't changed a bit. Kirk thinks, eyeing the huge selection of merchandise.

"I'll be right with you, the owner says, finishing up with his customer.

"No hurry." Kirk continues to walk down the aisles as he waits for his turn. He'd just finished inspecting some tools when he hears the bell chime. He looks up to find Three questionable-looking gentlemen step inside. What are the Salois brothers doing here? Their extensive record suddenly comes to mind. Hopefully, they're not here to rob the place. I bet they are strapped for cash after such an extensive stint.

The oldest brother, Andy, had been released from prison last week after serving ten years. Jack and Jeremy the week before after serving five.

He eyes a few tools while still keeping a close watch on the lads.

"Have a nice day," the owner says as the first customer walks across his store. Seeing Kirk is shopping, he turns towards his new patrons. "How may I help you, gentleman?"

"How much we can get for these?" the man lays a few items on the counter. Kirk watches as the businessman inspects each piece.

"This is some nice stuff you have here. May I ask where you got it?"

"It's from our Aunt's estate."

"She recently passed and left it all to us," Jeremy adds.

They don't have any relatives. The boys have been in foster care since the ripe age of ten. Experts claim that's the reason for their delinquency. Moving towards the counter, Kirk eyes the items and discovers that the assortment has been reported stolen. He sends a text to his boss. She answers back, telling him they're on their way.

"I'm sorry, boys, but I'm not in the market for this stuff. Maybe the pawnshop around the corner can help you out."

"They're worth a lot of money, and we're willing to sell it cheap," Jack says, picking up one of the rings.

"I'm sure they are, but I have more jewelry than I know what to do with." He points at the glass counter. There's a lot more in the back.

"Fine, let's go."

Seeing they're about to leave, Jerry grabs his gun from his holster. "Berryville PD, hands where I can see them." The thugs don't move. Taking a shooter's stance, he yells, "Do it now."

Glancing at each other, the three reaches into their jacket.

"They have a gun." The owner yells, falling to the floor.

"Drop your weapon, now," Kirk demands.

Gunfire erupts as the thugs spin around.