The Thief and the Pot of Gold

The Thief and the Pot of Gold - 2

"Aah!" Nip Smith groaned aloud when the line popped. He removed the earplugs immediately.

"How did he know?" he asked himself while he drank the beer from the glass. It was tepid. He stood up to get a bottle from the refrigerator. He took a slice of left-over pizza.

He wished he smoked but he could tolerate beer only. He wished he had long hair because he had a yen of pulling his hair while thinking but his head was bald.

They were the same age. Theo was thirty-something while Nip was thirty-one. There were both hairless. Theo was tall and lean but wiry while he was a head shorter and very slim.

"How could he know about the wire-tapping?" He munched the pizza and sipped the beer. He was standing by the window.

Nip Smith viewed the house of Theo Vincent.

The man was very secretive. The front door of his house was seldom used. The entrance was at the back. It was a hole and, when opened, a pole was the way to come down.

Nip Smith had discovered the hole with the grassy cover only a week from now.

He had snooped down there. He put bugs on imperceptible places.

He took note of the pictures that were pinned on the wall.

The Necklace of Medusa was Theo's next job!

Director Kimbel had called him to the cellphone.

"The necklace was stolen tonight! The prime suspect is Theo Vincent. Follow him wherever he goes! You must learn where he brought the necklace!" His superior shouted at Nip. He was panicking.

"Okay, boss!" Nip drew away the cellphone from his ear.

"I want answers, Smith!"

"Yes, sir!" Nip replied aloud.

"Your promotion is at stake here!" he warned.

Nip breathed easily when the line went dead.

Through the windows of Theo's house, he could see the flashing of small fires.

"Someone's burning the house from within!" Nip picked up his binoculars.

The fire was wipe out by the spraying of water from sprinklers at the ceiling.

'Theo Vincent burned the house! The man is nuts as well as secretive!'

Nip had heard that someone was inviting him. He had only realized that Theo was gone when the house burned!

He replayed the tape aloud.

'You are invited to an ocean trip in a cruise ship and a two-week stay at a five-star hotel. All expenses paid. All you have to do is meet the requirements!'

"Where did he pass through?" Nip asked himself while picking up his heavy bag. He listened to the tape while he went down the stairs.

The voice mentioned an address.

"Where?" Nip re-winded the tape and listened carefully. "At Golden Building! I knew that!" he muttered while he started his motorcycle.

A shadow observed Nip Smith. He whispered to his cellphone. "Nip Smith is qualified! Take note of that!"

"Do you know who he is?"

"Yes! I know! He is an agent!" he said before he put away the cellphone and walked off.

There was a lone golden box in his coat's pocket. He had to deliver it before the night was over!

The shadow strolled the short distance. He peered at the faded number of the house. When he was sure he got the correct house, he put the box into the mailbox, press the button of the doorbell, and walked off briskly.

Crew Gator opened the door warily. He had heard something was left inside his mailbox.

"A box!" His hand took the box and threw it away forcefully. "It's a bomb!"

Crew Gator hid inside his basement. When half an hour had passed, he cautiously observed the box.

"It is not a bomb!" His curiosity won. He picked up the box and, the moment he opened he touched the brand-new cellphone, it lighted up.

"Crew Gator! Crew Gator!"

"Someone knew my name!" Crew pressed the 'off' button immediately but the device cried again his name. He clicked the 'play' button.

"You are invited to an ocean trip in a cruise ship and a two-week stay at a five-star hotel. All expenses paid. All you have to do is meet the requirements!"

"What?" Crew asked again.

The voice obliged. She repeated again the message.

Crew's face grew serious while he pondered the pros and cons.

If he disappeared for a few days, the law enforcers would delete his name from the list of suspects.

The disadvantage was he had to leave when the bidding took place! But he really like the sound of a free vacation! All he had to do was to make sure that the hiding place was foolproof!

Crew Gator spent the night mixing a little bit of concrete and placed the mixture on the smooth glass carefully. When the thing was covered all over, he sighed with relief!

"You shall come out when the highest offer is there for you!" he whispered fiercely. His silver tooth glinting. His large hand swiped his bangs away from his beady eyes. "He he he! Poor Theo!"

Meanwhile, Theo had been out of the underground tunnel. The air was thinning and he was breathless. He was wheezing while he sat down on the ground.

Theo remained unmoving for a few minutes. He was catching his breath.

The cellphone vibrated. He pulled it out of his pocket. The screen had lit up.

'Go to the Golden Building! Now!' The message bordered on arrogance!

"You are demanding!" Theo slurred angrily but he moved sluggishly. Slowly, his body was mobilized again. His lungs were weak but the flaw was just psychological.

Theo had smelled smoke when he burned his abode and his house. He was allergic to smoke. He was sapped of strength.

He forced his legs to walk. He took a deep breath with each step until his pace was at its normal speed. He strode rapidly along the downtown.

Theo ignored the catcalls and the whistles while he passed the groups of men and women.

The Golden Building was named ordinarily but its appearance was extraordinary. It was thoroughly black. The big letters were solid gold. They glinted invitingly!

Theo Vincent had accepted the summons!

"Here I am!" he whispered.

'Good! Go inside!' Again, the screen registered the missive.

Theo's foot was reluctant but he was pushed inside. When he turned his head, he saw that there were men and women who held brand-new cellphones!