Thief Vision: Meet the Next

Chapter 13: First Experience

This plan wasn’t in a good shape until Charles confirmed that MadNine didn't leave any words before escaping.

In fact, this was a bold plan. Steal fake cigarettes.

Fake cigarettes were not something uncommon, but due to strict policies, store owners often dared not have too much inventory. Usually, the store owner would not restock if the inventory is not sold out. In other words, as long as they figured out the types of fake cigarettes in the store and the upstream suppliers, they could find the warehouse where the fake cigarettes were stored. Their goal, of course, was not the warehouse, but the fake cigarettes inside.

This plan was simple to say, but it was difficult to implement. The biggest obstacle in front of them was that Charles had no experience with this.

Although Charles knew this could be a tough start, he already understood his life direction. Since he had no skills to support his life, he must develop new businesses. Otherwise, even if he has been a thief all his life, he would always be the worst thief.

After making sure that Robert was willing to join him, Charles couldn't wait to check out and brought him back to base camp, which was actually his hotel room.

After returning to the hotel, Charles immediately explained the specific implementation plan.

Although Charles didn't have enough time to study the plan, he already had a preliminary draft. In his plan, Robert would be responsible for looking for the warehouse as well as opening the door, while it’s natural for Charles to find the transporting car as well as the most important slot, the downstream buyer.

Robert obviously couldn't be convinced by this simple plan that couldn't be simpler. "I have no problem with the division of labor, but don’t you think it’s not enough to have just two people in this business? I mean, we have no idea how many uncertainties there is!"

"Robert, the fewer people know about this, the better. Think about the profit of fake cigarettes! If anyone hears any news from any channel, those who sell fake cigarettes can't eat us alive? How can you expect the other person to calm down after his cake is grabbed away?”

"But I'm still a little worried," Robert told the truth. After all, without any protection given by MadNine, any mistake could be fatal.

"Believe me, as long as we have done this business, they will definitely not dare to spread this out. When the goods are sold out, we will immediately get our share and find a place where no one could find us anymore. Think about it! We won't have to worry about food and drink for a year. Think about the money! Do you really want to split it with the third person or the fourth person? Are you sure about this?" Charles continued to persuade Robert, and at the same time gave Robert a wonderful prospect.

Under the beautiful future that Charles described, Robert, who was as pure as a high school student, was obviously moved. Sure enough, after thinking about it for dozens of seconds, Robert nodded and agreed.

In the next few days, Robert squatted around the cigarette store every day as planned to determine the supplier of fake cigarettes, while Charles began to inquire about the price of counterfeit cigarettes on the market. In three days, Charles had almost done the research about the wholesale prices of all fake cigarettes on the market.

Under normal circumstances, the wholesale price of fake Marlboro was about $2.5 per pack. There’re 12 packs in each carton, while 50 cartons in each package, which worthen about $1500. If it was Parliament or Nat Sherman, the value could be double.

In other words, if they can successfully get at least 50 packages this time, they would get a free year ahead. Charles seemed to have seen the bills flying in front of him. But he calmed down in the next instant. The greater the profit, the higher the risk, especially in the business you first set foot in. For safety's sake, Charles didn't contact the downstream in advance but planned to wait until the cigarettes arrived.

On the fifth day, Robert finally figured out the location of the fake cigarette warehouse. "The warehouse is in a small courtyard on the outskirts. I found that there are two guards during the day and at night, but the night shift always takes two hours to eat. We can use this time to steal the cigarettes."

"No problem, I have already found the car, but the thing is I can afford the rent. Robert, can you lend me some money??" Although it was embarrassing, Charles had to tell the truth.

"Um... of course..."

That night, Charles and Robert drove to the outskirts in a van rented.

The neon lights on the road shone on Charles's face, bringing a burst of shadows, making Charles look very illusory. Robert said nervously, "Charles, there will be nothing wrong, right?"

Charles was naturally nervous too, but he knew he couldn't show any timidity. "It's absolutely okay, trust me."

Out of the city, Charles parked the van on the side of the road to take off the license plate, and then drove to their target.

The roads in the countryside were bumpy and dusty. Before Charles lost the concept of time, some light finally appeared in front of them.

That was the only bar here. According to Robert's information, two people guarding the warehouse came here for a drink every day.

Watching the steady stream of people entering the bar, Charles didn't waste too much time here.

Following Robert's instructions, Charles turned a T-junction and drove for another two or three minutes. The warehouse where the fake cigarettes were stored appeared in their sight.

This was a quite narrow stone road. On both sides of the road were warehouses for rent. This kind of warehouse was not rare to find in the suburbs of every city and was basically built on the roadside ground. In fact, being a landlord was the most cost-effective business. With a few simple factories, the annual income can be at least tens of thousands of dollars. Although it was nothing to those millineries, it was still a good number for those low-class people.

Charles drove the van past the door of the fake cigarette warehouse but did not stop. He still wanted to observe first.

Charles and Robert saw the warehouse door closed tightly, and some lights were leaking through the cracks in the door. Charles slowly parked his car on the side of the road thirty meters away from the door.

It was completely dark around eight o'clock, and occasionally a few dog barks could be heard. Both Charles and Robert stared at the door in the inverted mirror, eagerly waiting for the moment the door opened.

"Are you sure there are no dogs in the yard?" Charles was still a little worried.

"No, I promise," Robert replied.

"After they came out, I will park the car at the door, while you’ll get down to unlock the warehouse. I will see you in the yard."

As a response, Robert nodded.

With the sound of "Bang", the door was opened, and a person walked out of it.

"Hurry up, or there will be no seats anymore," the man said loudly.

"Alright, alright, I’m coming," Someone in the yard responded.

"It's your treat today, don't f*****g forget to take your wallet," the person outside said.

"Don't worry, when did I forget it?"

The two people who walked out of the gate locked the gate while joking, and then gradually disappeared into the night.

It took seven minutes to walk from the gate of the warehouse to the turn.

Looking at the stopwatch, after making sure that seven minutes have passed, Charles started the car and drove slowly towards the warehouse.

According to the plan, Robert did not stay in the van, but immediately opened the door and got out of the van and ran to the gate.

The lock on the gate was at the lowest level. Although it looked large, it had the simplest structure. Robert had already determined the method of unlocking, and he had already tried it when he stepped on it before.

He stretched the two fully folded steel wires into the keyhole, and in less than five seconds, he heard a "click".

The gate was opened. Charles hasn't even gotten out of the car.

Watching Robert opened the lock so easily, Charles couldn't help thinking of the scene when MadNine opened the handcuffs. He remembered that when MadNine took something out of his belt, he shook his wrist and opened the handcuffs like a magic trick.

Great! I got to find a chance to learn this unlocking technique. If he mastered one technique, he would have one more chance to save his life.

Seeing Robert opened the gate, Charles backed the van into the yard. The lights in the yard were on and there were piles of debris everywhere. Obviously, the gatekeeper would not bother to clean up the yard.

When Charles parked the van into the yard, the lock on the warehouse was opened by Robert again.

"Robert, listen to me! I will go to load the van, while you go to watch the gate for me!” Charles got out of the van and whispered to Robert. Robert responded and immediately ran out to the gate, closing the gate again at the same time.

Standing at the door of the warehouse, Charles took a deep breath, and at the next second, he turned on the flashlight and walked into the door.