CHAPTER 8 : IDEA POPPED OUT

          Eric raised his eyebrows, quizzically and continued. ”Exactly. Don’t you sense something similar between the girls and Cilpher? They took stuffs. Valuable stuffs. And both of them were related to Howct family. Still, this is just speculation. Please don’t make conclusion yet.”

             “So, you know them. Do you know how to find them? If possible, where do they live?” Matt asked, his eyes gleaming brightly. Now, he see hope of retrieving the portraits back.

Eric, shook his head. Truthfully, he already told everything that he knew to Matt. Matt was his best friend and he can tell how the incident affected Matt emotionally and physically. By telling this, he hoped he can helped with the problems that dwelled around Matt. He never told anyone about his findings but for Matt, he was willing to.

Matt was disappointed when he sees Eric’s reaction. His hope once beaming brightly, dimmed.

Suddenly, David who seemed to be in a deep thought, which they find it spectacular, smiled.

           “We can trap them,” he suggested.

        Upon hearing this, Matt and Eric laughed so hard it hurt their stomachs. His idea was too bizzarre.

           “Do you think these girls were as thick as your girlfriends? They are genius. They won’t fall into your trap easily,” Eric said still laughing.

            Matt who was laughing just now, stopped. Something occurred in his mind.

           “Wait. What Dave suggests might just work. Both of them loves valuable objects right? Their affections will be their downfall.”

          All three of them now were smiling.

         “But how?” David asked, dumbfounded.

         “You’ll see,” Matt smirked. Somehow, he knew he will succeed this time. It was not like him to brag around. It’s just he got a good feeling about this.

CHAPTER 7 : TOMB BREAKER

“Actually, he tapped her bangle not her wrist. The bangle holds their entire secret. Both of them wore the same bangle. That could only have one meaning. Both of them were related. When I searched for the bangle, I couldn’t find anything at all. Still, I don’t give up. I searched on the rare objects around the world. 

Guess what? The bangles belong to the ancient family named Howct. Their crest was carved on the bangles. Howct family were famous in Egypt as they were one of the oldest families ever existed there. The family was also one of the wealthiest families there. Truth to be told, they were actually tomb breakers. They hid it well. No one knew about them. They owned a company and it helped them to cover their identities. One day, the town was shaken with the news that the whole members of Howct family were found dead. There were no signs of struggling. All of them were stabbed to death while sleeping.

The most shocking news is that, one of the sons was nowhere to be found. There was no corpse or any evidence that he was dead. His name was Cilpher Howct. After that, the truth about them leaked out somehow. The whole town knew about their identities. The Howct mansion was inspected. An underground warehouse was found but there was nothing in it. Rumours has it that Cilpher killed his family and took all the treasures.

“Are you saying the girls were related to him?” Matt, who kept quiet for a long time, asked.

            

CHAPTER 6 : TRUTH UNVEILED

“There were rumours going on about them. Apparently, nobody knows about them. It happened two years ago, when suddenly a portrait which was reported stolen by the press appeared at the black market. At that moment, I was assigned by a client to find the portrait before the police do. I failed to retrieve it but from what I heard from one of the seller, a young girl, only eighteen years old came, showing him the portraits and try to sell it for a high price. At first, he thought she was joking but when he take a closer look at the portrait, he figure out that it was real. She told him she stole it from the museum with her sister. As simple as that”.

Both Matt and David looked dumbfounded. They still can’t digested the words coming from Eric’s mouth. It was too surreal.

        “Wait. I am not finished yet. After that, a lot of rich tycoon and businessmen who liked to collect rare stuffs ask for their services. How to get in touch with them? No one knows. And the clients refused to give me any information. The girls’ works were clean and quick. That’s why they prefer the girls. Although they did it in public and without covering their faces, they never get caught. Why? This is because no one has their data in the system”. 

Matt opened his mouth to say something but Eric cut in.

 “I know what you are going to say. How can there were no data about them? You are not the only one. Many authorities were baffled. Including the police. However, I do know something about them. Last year, one of the girls acted strange in front of the surveillance tape. She stood in front of the surveillance camera and said, “You know what, you would never catch us. Still, I would like to help you. All of our success lies here.”

           "Then, she tapped her wrist and winked. She left after that. The polices were bamboozled. They can’t figure out what she meant. However, I know and I never told anyone regarding this.” Eric explained. He gazed at Matt and then, David. He must be a good story teller as both of them were into the story too much. It makes Eric become more spirited in continuing the story.

CHAPTER 5 : GHOST

“Sir, sorry to interrupt. Someone wants to meet you. He said his name is Mr Eric and you asked for him before,” Matt’s secretary said when he was having a discussion with a police officer. Matt told his secretary to ask Mr Eric to wait for a while as he was going to finish the discussion in a short while.

“Sorry to keep you waiting, Eric. I have a matter to discuss with the police officer before. Matt said as Eric entered his room. Matt stood up and both of them shook hands. Matt gestured Eric to take a seat in front of him. David, as usual, nowhere to be found. Eric sensed something was off with his best friend. Matt looked tensed and he was not smiling at all. It was strange as Matt always calm and composed. This case really blow him off.

           “You already have a whole police department at your service. What do you need me for? “Eric asked, his eyes fixed on Matt’s. Eric knew Matt for a while and he knew this time, this case has put Matt off guard. Matt always got what he wants and he always wins. Suddenly, he lost two portraits right under his nose by two girls who claimed them as thieves. He knew Matt felt humiliated and to make it worse, Matt’s father wasn’t as forgiving as compared to  the others.

           “Too slow. At this rate, I know for sure that I won’t get the portraits back. I hope you can track the thieves and retrieved the portraits before they sold it to other people or the black market,” Matt confessed to his friend. Eric just nodded.

          “Do you have the surveillance tape? I would like to see it”. After watch it, Eric now know who Matt dealing with. It is not going to be easy.

           “From what I can see, you are dealing with the most skilled thieves in this century,” Eric said.

          “You mean the girls? If you ask me, they didn’t look like they were thieves at all,” David cut in. He was standing at the door. Both Matt and Eric were too focused on the tape that they didn’t realised that David was there. David went into the room and took his seat beside Eric. Eric smirked.

    “You thought all the women in this world are nice and destined to be your toys, right?”

    “What are you talking about? They are not my toys but my life,” David defended himself and pretended to be hurt.

      Both Matt and Eric rolled their eyes. They knew perfectly how fond David is with girls. David entered the room and went to sit beside Matt.

      “You just talked to the police officer right? What did he say?” Eric asked Matt.

    “What he just said was so weird that it baffled me until now. He said they are able to get the thieves’ faces from the tape, but they couldn’t identify who they are,” Matt explained.

    “Maybe they are tourists or immigrants?” David suggested. Matt shook his head.

    “No. There are no single data about them on the system. It is like...”

    “They are ghost,” Eric cut in. Both Matt and David looked at him. Eric nodded. He finally understands. It explained everything.

CHAPTER 4 SOMETHING'S NOT RIGHT

     Matt was grumpy all day long and it continued until the next day. In the morning, he reached the museum and managed to scold a few of his workers who unfortunately met him on his way to his room. David, who knew his temper, just followed him. He mouthed sorry to all the workers who were scolded. As usual, Matt’s secretary will entered the room to explain his schedule on the day. Despite of a few meetings with the suppliers, she informed that she managed to get the surveillance tape and the police officer will met him in the afternoon. She put the surveillance tape on the desk.

      Matt, upon hearing this nodded and asked her to leave. His face was still serious and there was no reaction upon hearing the news. But inside his heart, it started to beat frantically. He was curious of what was inside the surveillance tape and how the thieves succeeded in outwitting him.

    
     “You can say thanks to her,” David said after she leaves. Matt ignored him and went to play the tape.

     
      However, the idea of watching the tape wasn’t a good idea after all. He was befuddled. He kept on rewinding the tape, trying to find information but more questions popped out in his head.  David was perplexed as he watched Matt's reaction when watching the tape. Curious, David joined him. From what he saw, the thieves are actually consists of two people and they were girls.

      “I remember now. Isn’t she’s the one who ignored you when you were trying to make a move on her?” David asked Matt. Matt looked annoyed when David mentioned it. Suddenly, he remembered something.

    “No wonder she looked nervous when I approached her and she held no interest on me. She actually has more interest with the portraits. And not long after that, they make their move”. 

    “You were not in their plan. They were afraid that you might come again and then disrupt their plan. Clever me!” David cut in. his face brightened. He looked happy.

     
     “I was going to say that if you don’t cut in” Matt claimed. David just shrugged.

    “Hey, wait a minute. Look at them. They were smiling at the CCTVs. At every CCTVs. They knew perfectly all the places where we put CCTVs,” David said, eyes fixed on the screen.

     One thing for sure, they were professionals. They were calm and never panic when the alarm rang.

    “David, call Eric. I want to talk to him,” ordered him. Eric was their best friend and a famous private investigator in the town. David was puzzled but he just nodded. What in the world he wants to meet a private investigator unless he wanted to settle this case by his own? But we have police department to do that. What actually Matt wants to do? We’ll just have to wait to figure it out.

CHAPTER 3 : DUMBFOUNDED

         “What happened downstairs?” Matt asked David, his cousin who was in front of his desk. Both of them were in Matt’s office which was located in the topmost level of the museum’s building. They were discussing about business matter which is extremely important but they were disturbed by some ruckus outside. From the downstairs, a lot of commotion can be heard. People screaming and guards’ yelling to the crowds in order to control the situation. David, who knew nothing, shrugged his shoulder.

         Matt finally decided to go downstairs. He was worried since the sound of screaming and yelling were getting worse. But he didn’t have to do so, as his secretary stormed into his room.”Sorry sir, but two portraits have been stolen”.

         “What?!!”

        That minute, only God knows what is in his mind. He was trembling. Either he was too surprise or too angry.

       With his fist clenched tight, Matt barged out of his room and went to the exhibition theatre. His face was white. He never encounter this kind of situation before. David followed him. Expressionless. The museum was deserted now. The sounds that can be heard was the Matt’s and David’s footsteps. All their staffs and guards were staring at the walls of both portraits, wide-mouthed, and when they sensed that Matt was coming in their way, they make way. Matt, who now reached at the 'bare' wall, joined the crowd and stared at the wall. He blinked his eyes, couldn’t believe this was actually happening.
       “Wow! Am I dreaming or what? The portraits were really being stolen,” David said. He was right behind Matt. Instead of being worried, he looked interested with the incident. His eyes were gleaming brightly. His mouth dangling open. Well, this incident didn’t happen every day.

      “It is just like in the movie. In the end, the thieves vanished with the portraits forever”. He continued, making a hand gesture of something disappeared. He looked at Matt, and that moment, his smile disappeared. Matt was glaring at him.
       “This isn’t a movie and the thieves will be caught”, Matt barked. He looked seriously pissed off and when he spotted his secretary, he ordered her to call the police officer and also asked for the surveillance tapes. Well, actually it's more to yelling than ordering. His frightened secretary just nodded and dashed off to work. Red faced, he straightly went into his room. David followed his cousin. Again, expressionless.

CHAPTER 2 : IT'S GONE

Her accomplice looked bewildered seeing the man who was approaching the girl was now talking to her. She heaved a long sigh. You have to settle this by your own. I can’t help you, she thought. The girl was shocked by the voice of a man appearing suddenly from her back. Composed as she always been, she took a deep breath and answered him.

“Yes. Still, I thought the other portrait by the corridor is better, considering both of them were painted by the same person.” Her voice came out clear and confident. Just as she planned. Her eyes still fixed at the portraits. She didn’t dare to looked at him. Criminal’s guilt, perhaps. Luckily, she was not ignorant in the subject. So, she can actually answered him.

His eyes widen and then he smirked. “You must be an expert in arts. You knew this portraits and the other one by the corridor were painted by the same person. Not all acknowledge it,” he sounded amused.

“I took Heritage Study in college. So, I do know some stuff”. Her lips twitched, she was smirking back at him. But the man unaware of it, smacked his forehead.

“Oh, I forgot to introduce myself. Matt Hentz. My family owns this museum and apparently I work here as the manager. And you are?” he raised one of his eyebrows as held out his right hand. I was left with no choice but to take his hand.

“I’m Crys,” she said, putting a big fake smile. He was too big-headed. As if I don’t know him. His smug face was all over the news. Not to mention his scandal with the mayor’s daughter. After that, she continued to stare back at the portrait, as if the portrait was a lot more amusing than him to her.  He left after he noticed that the girl doesn’t want to be disturbed. Serve him right. Not all woman will came drooling after him. Her accomplice, the black-haired girl approached her.

“We better do this quick. I am afraid that he might come again”, she whispered. Both of them nodded in agreement, separated according to the plan. In the speed of light, the girls snatched the portraits, one portraits for each of them. As soon as the portraits left the wall, the alarm rang. Still they don’t look panic. It is as if they were expected this was going to happen.

The best thing of stealing is that the feeling beforehand. The feeling of adrenaline rushed through the body when they knew perfectly nobody can catch them. Sneering as they make an escape, they knew that they have won today.

Upon hearing the alarm, all the people were in panic, rushing toward the exit. Both of them took advantage of the situation and blend in the crowd toward the exit.