THE WHEELCHAIR SCREECHED SIDEWAYS ACROSS THE POLISHED MARBLE BEFORE ANYONE COULD REACT.

He picked it up.

EXTREME CLOSE-UP.

CRACK.

The pearl split open in his palm.

A small gold key dropped into his hand.

CLICK.

The metallic sound echoed unnaturally through the boutique.

The manager’s face drained of color.

“The vault key…” she whispered.

The camera snapped toward a massive locked private showroom door hidden at the back of the boutique.

Heartbeat.continue reading …