It had been a long time since Lucy had visited the Jacksworth Park, but though the chance to take a riverside walk and admire the flora were tempting, she had more important things to do. While the park looked beautiful all year round, the nippy autumn weather was enough to deter most potential visitors, which made it perfect for what she had planned. Sitting on a park bench was the one she arranged to meet with; a shrewd man clad in the most boring suit one could imagine. She sat beside him, the pair dressed so blandly that no one would give them a second glance.
“Mr. Diamond?” She asked.
“You must be Miss Anne, then.” The man replied. “I must say...you don’t look the type for this sort of business.”
“I hear that quite often, funnily enough,” Lucy’s innocent appearance was her greatest pride and most valuable asset, one she had exploited a great many times. “However, I can assure you that I’m qualified.”
“I’d prefer to make sure of that myself. I don’t want anything jeopardised because you aren’t as up to snuff as you claim.”
Lucy would have scoffed at the idea if it wasn’t in her best interests to avoid disrespecting the man offering her an honest job in thievery. “In that case, what must I do to prove that I’m the genuine article?”
Mr. Diamond gave the woman an envelope, unmarked and inconspicuous. “You can start by following this to the letter. A simple con, one that you should be perfectly capable of, provided you’re more than just talk.” And with that, he left, giving only a curt nod of acknowledgement as he walked off.
To Miss Anne,
As previously stated, this job will be a test of your capabilities. Your role will be that of a diversion; our target is a well known seller of gemstones, and we require you to keep him occupied long enough for us to subdue him. We have arranged a meeting with the mark, believing that you are a potential buyer. The meeting’s address shall be found in your mailbox by 9 O’clock on the day of the meeting, for security reasons. Be there at 2 for proper briefing and preparation, for the deal is scheduled for 3. Provided everyone does their part, you will be cut a share of the profits, and we may consider working with you again.
Diamond
Robert Abel, as Diamond had informed her when she arrived at the designated location, was an archeologist known for procuring jewelry from foreign and ancient civilizations and pawning them off to Cirrendale’s aristocrats. Word had spread that he had found something particularly desirable on his latest adventure, something he was charging quite the pretty penny for. Diamond claimed he knew some desperate people itching for a better price, and he was happy to oblige; even half of Abel’s starting fees could fatten his crew’s pockets quite well. And now the mark had made his way to the secluded forest clearing where Lucy was waiting for him, a fan to her face and a hat over her eyes. One of Diamond’s men, Mr. Beryl, was in hiding nearby, waiting for his opportunity.
“Ah, hello!” Abel said, spotting Lucy and making his way towards her. “You’ll have to forgive me, I’m more accustomed to house calls, not...this.”
“On most days, I’d agree,” She replied. “However, I’d prefer to keep this a secret from my husband; I wouldn’t want him spoiling his own birthday present.”
“Not the most...orthodox way to go about it, I believe, but I may have just the thing.” The man brought out a weathered leather bag, taking out exactly what Diamond was after. Beryl had emerged, and was making his way towards the target from behind, baton at the ready. “Found this beauty on my expedition out west, but you probably couldn’t tell from its flawless condition.” He held the opal up until it caught the light, a myriad of colours reflecting onto Lucy’s face. “This could be yours for fifteen thousand.”
“May I hold it?” Lucy held out her hand, but the man declined.
“I’m sorry, but I’ll need to see some money first. I’m rather cautious with my wares-”
His hand flew behind him to block Beryl’s baton, his eyes never breaking contact from Lucy’s.
“Lest something like this happens.” He continued before turning to yank the baton from its bewildered owner and smashing it into his ribs without so much as blinking. “You don’t stay as long in the business as I do without learning to smell a trap.” Lucy could do little more than stare wide-eyed. What he had just displayed was more than savviness; it was an inhuman display of intuition and strength.
“Are there any more?” Lucy shook her head. “Are you one of them?” She shook again, praying that his abnormal perception didn’t extend to detecting falsehoods.
“I see. In that case, You’d best be on your way. It seems you’ve been caught up in something you shouldn’t be involved with.” He returned the opal to his bag and got up, giving a last wave goodbye as he started to walk off. Lucy knew that there were men ready to deal with Abel if her and Beryl failed, but they had no clue what he could do. She wasn’t aware of her hands holding her revolver until after she fired.
His dismissal of Lucy caused her first gunshot to catch the man off guard. As he turned in response to the newfound hole in his back, she fired again, his tweed vest further stained by his own blood. The man fell to his knees, and Lucy contemplated taking another shot before the weight of the first two hit her. Diamond came running, two of his people at his side. His eyes went from Beryl’s crumpled body to the baton in the archaeologist's hand to Lucy’s gun, finally reaching her eyes with an expression that begged for answers.
“He caught Beryl. He didn’t even look at him, he just…” Lucy stopped for breath she didn’t realise she needed. “He didn’t know I was in on it. I didn’t want to let him go, so…” She cut off, her throat threatening to choke her. Concussing targets was one thing, something she had done plenty of times herself, but killing someone? She had only ever used the gun as a ploy, the bullets purely for worst-case scenarios.
“I’m sorry it came to this,” Diamond said, looking solemnly at Lucy. “I should have taken more measures, but I didn’t think…” He kneeled down beside Beryl, checking his pulse. “At the very least, you’re both alive. Did anything happen to the jewels?” Lucy didn’t know. Lucy didn’t care. Diamond found the leather bag in the dead man’s pockets, every stone accounted for.
“I think we’d best leave,” Diamond said, helping one of his people lift up Beryl. “If anyone sees us here, we’ll be taken in for interrogation.” She nodded before simply walking away, more to get away from the afternoon’s events than out of fear of capture.
To Miss Anne,
I am deeply sorry for what transpired the other day. I am as abhorrent to needless killing as you are, and my own man being injured pains me moreso. However, from what Beryl has told me, it seems that we would not have been prepared to deal with Mr. Abel had you not intervened. For that, I thank you, and would like to display this gratitude with the enclosed payment. Not only is there your share of the profits and another half besides, but something I found hidden on Mr. Abel’s person. None of my clients showed any interest in this, but maybe you may find some use for it. If you are still willing to work with us, please let us know.
Diamond
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