The Imperfect Crime

Silence was vital; even the smallest noise could spell disaster. Maddy glanced quickly out from behind the tree. The dogs had moved on, and she remained unseen, hiding in the garden. She slipped from her position, and pulled Sam behind her.

“We need to get inside quickly- stop falling behind so much!” she whispered. He looked upwards, and chose their way in; moonlight reflected off a window over an easily climbed tree. The glass was already smashed, so it would be perfect.

“Come on- up here!” he replied just as softly. He ascended to the window, and carefully stepped through, avoiding the sharp edges. The Porters hadn’t moved in yet- they would tomorrow, but all their furniture and possessions had been set up and unpacked for them. Fancy, expensive artwork hung on the walls- that could be another thing worth taking, but more difficult to carry than a diamond.

Maddy gasped behind him. Turning, he saw her tenderly pick a large piece of glass from her thigh. There was blood running down her leg, so she tore the bottom of her shirt to stop blood dripping onto the floor.

“Be more careful, Maddy!” he hissed. The two young people tiptoed slowly across creaky floorboards in the mansion; peeked through door to find where Mrs. Porter might keep the huge diamond they sought.

“What about upstairs? Why weren’t you looking there first?” Sam asked, sweeping silently up the stairs. They wandered slowly and carefully through various rooms before finding the right one; the master bedroom. Heavily scented perfume bottles were lined neatly on a dresser, and filled the room with a floral fragrance.

“I can’t see it!” Maddy cried, almost expecting to see the prize set out on the dresser, ready for the taking.

“Be quiet, and stop moving things! They shouldn’t need to know we’ve been here until they miss the diamond!” Sam resumed looking, gently opening drawers, checking the contents without touching anything, then closing them again.

“Here’s something… wait- it’s almost empty” Sam mumbled impatiently. “There are… only a few earrings and pieces though.”

“Then that’s not what we’re looking for!” Maddy snapped back, looking through another box.

“Maddy- there isn’t anything else- and why would Mrs. Porter have half sets of earrings? She could afford to replace them.” A slow gust of wind rolled through the house, travelling through open and broken windows. A sharp bark echoed with the wind, sending shivers up their spines.

“The dogs- they’re in the house!” Sam mouthed wildly. They scrambled to their feet, and quickly left the room.

“Ok- Maddy we need to forget the diamond. Maybe she is bringing t in her handbag or something stupid like that. We need to get out and soon!” The swift footsteps echoed around the house, surrounding them in a swirling sea of noise. Sam looked wistfully over his shoulder then jumped after his friend out an already opened window.

They ran side by side, wanting to get away from there as quickly as possible. Maddy squinted, and was able to make out a tiny, glinting light in the distance before it rounded a corner. The diamond was gone.