for The Unicorn Challenge which is hosted by Jenne Gray and C.E.Ayr.
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Let me read it to you
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For many days, Ricky Jones had watched Montague ‘s Diamond Studios in London’s Hatton Garden.
He knew when the doorman replaced the night watchman, what time the staff arrived, and when police patrolled the street, home to many prestigious jewellers.
He’d visited the studio several times and made substantial purchases, so when he arrived that afternoon he was greeted with the due deference loyal customers deserved.
However, this visit was to be different. He’d leave with some new pieces, but had no intention of paying for them.
The staff did as he demanded, after all, he was the one with the gun. However, diamond aficionado Harold Pargitter chose to face the plunderer, an unwise move, for whilst he survived, he would never work there again.
*
Ricky Jones went to a lot of trouble making himself invisible. His long brown hair became short and black, his beard went and instead his flamboyant attire, he donned business-like suits. He disappeared.
At a desk in Montague’s Diamond Studio, sat their newly acquired expert. A pleasant fellow. adept at valuing precious stones, but his predecessor was sorely missed.
It was just another day, clients coming and going. When the doorman announced the arrival of a gentleman in a wheelchair, the staff rushed to greet him for it was Harold Pargitter’s first visit since that fateful day.
Harold suddenly spun round his chair. He faced the diamond expert. A gasp went round the studio as he produced a gun from beneath his blanket.
‘Hello, Ricky Jones’, he said.
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© Ayr/Gray
A complex tale well done, Keith!! Deception is a tough thing. Someone somewhere always figures out the villain’s secret. Because, after all, crime does not pay.
Thanks, Suzette. This villain was about to strike from within – he couldn’t fool Harold though!
Harold was the perfect sleuth!!
A complex little caper story and an almost perfect crime that was well told. Ricky got the jewels and the job and… the jail time?
Right on all three counts! Thanks, Michael.
Very intriguing story Keith.
Thanks so much, Sadje.
You’re always welcome 🙏🏼
Neatness personified, Keith. I only recently watched the movie The Hatton Garden Job (aka One Last Heist). Bit of a Twilight Zone coincidence. 🙂
That’s odd! What a great film it was!
neatly done, Keith
Thanks, Beth!
Keep your friends close and your enemies closer, right?
Absolutely right!
The best laid plans …. I guess even Ricky’s careful planning was no match for a brave and resourceful Harold. Great twist.
He thought he had the perfect plan…but no! Thanks, Margaret.
Nicely done, Keith and so much neatly contained in 250 words.
Excellent twist, and it’s amazing what a person – or a Harold – can work out when he has the recovery time to go through it all.
Now, will he, or won’t he use the gun…
Thanks, Jenne, the initial draft was over 400 words!
I like to think he just held the gun until the cops arrived … but I really ‘aint got a clue!
Wow, that was done at a gallop, me old crook!
A whole film script in 250 words, a tour de force!
That’s really kind of you, my friend, my floor is littered with all the words I had to cut out to meet the brief!
Good one, Keith!
Thanks so much, Chris.
Aha! Very clever turn of events. What goes around comes around and it looks like Ricky Jones is about to get his. Great story, Keith!
It certainly does! Thanks, Nancy.
Great story Keith!
Thanks so much!
You’re welcome!