Mister Z
an excerpt

Chapter One

Location: Somewhere in the Namib desert.
Date: 4/02/07

“Remember, no one but me comes in, or goes out of this room. It holds the precious crown of all my family tree. In fact, it is one of the most expensive heirlooms of Scotland. Almost priceless.” The Queen of Scotland glared down at the two guards. “Draw the curtains.”

“But in all honesty, your highness, we’re in the middle of the desert, on a train. How can anyone from the outside see it, if there is not a single person out there?” The Queen looked out from the train window, at the wide, dry landscape of the desert.

Quietly, she replied, “ If I can see the skies from in here, than it can be seen. From the skies… Now draw the curtains, and lock the door.”

As the queen walked away, and the guards stood vigilantly on watch of the door to the crown, no one saw a man on a parachute, flying down towards the train. No one noticed that he was such a man, he looked suspiciously identical to the queen.

A FEW HOURS LATER

The queen walked elegantly towards the door, her cardigan swaying in the breeze. She looked at the guards, and whispered “Remember, only me. Now, let me see the crown. Make sure it’s still there.” Putting her index finger up to her champagne lips to indicate silence, she put her jewel-encrusted fingers on the knob, turned it, and entered.

After as little as a minute, the queen came panting down the hallway, “I’m going to get them… have you seen the kids? I’m going to get them… little devils. I’ve looked everywhere for them.” The guards looked at each other in horror.

“But your highness! You… we swear you were just in here, just now!” They opened the door, hoping and praying to still see the crown, still sitting where it was left, on its crimson cushion in the middle of the room. But in its place, was a small stainless steel ‘Z’, the top point slashing the cushion. The queen screamed.

Chapter Two

Location: Police Station, Mumbai
Date: 6/ 02/ 07

“ Mister Z. The smartest and coolest thief the world has seen. Smart, because he dares to do the impossible. Cool, because all he leaves at the scene of every crime scene, is his symbol, a ‘Z’