Something about the market had drawn her attention.  By all accounts, the grocery store/deli appeared to be similar to all the others that were spread out through the districts of New York, but Siren sensed something.  And over the years, she had learned to trust her instincts when it came to these matters.

First she did a thorough casing of the interior.  While the front of the business was primarily a grocery store targeting the locals, it also had a small deli counter where meats and cheeses  were available along with made to order sandwiches.  Through an entry way in the back, there was a small storage room with a door on the back wall.  Walking the perimeter of the building later that evening, it became obvious that the family lived in the rear, meaning that there was a presence in the business 24/7.

Next, she turned on her best southern charm and accent, something she had learned from hanging around a southern belle during her college years.  Striking up talks with the wife first, and then complimenting the husband on how fresh and flavorful the sandwich was he had prepared, it didn’t take long before they were greeting each other by first name.  Mr. and Mrs. Allen always greeted with a smile and genuinely appeared to care for their customers.  Taking her time, she slowly was able to garner more and more information from the couple.  After a week, she knew that their two kids were grown and married, living in either Buffalo or Philadelphia.    They also confirmed that one or the other were on the premises at all times, except for Wednesday evenings.

Siren had noticed that Wednesday was the one day of the week that had odd hours, with the store closing at 5pm.  The couple had explained during one of their talks that with the weekends being their busiest time, they couldn’t go to church on Sundays.  So they had committed to closing early on Wednesday and walking down to a large Catholic Church two blocks away.  This had been their ritual for the last ten years, once the kids had finally married and started their own lives and they both gushed on how much closer they had become as a husband and wife.

Knowledge is power and  Siren was very patient.  Between the couple talking about their weekly delivery of produce and fresh meats and cheeses to the daily supply of bread from a local bakery, Siren was able to build an accurate schedule of all the functions of the business.  The the most vital activity was the weekly deposit at the bank.  Mrs Allen would make a trip to the bank each Wednesday afternoon, the same day the store would shut down early.  At 3pm each Wednesday, she would pull on a coat and grab her large purse, then take the family car to a local bank for a deposit from the week’s sales.

With a plan in position, Siren set things in motion.  First, she called in an large order of sandwiches that would need to be picked up at 4:30 pm.  Then, just after lunch on Wednesday, she walked around the back of the business to where the Allen’s parked their car.  Pulling a knife from a secured sheath on her back, she poked the tip of the blade into the sidewalk and increased pressure until she heard a rush of air begin to escape from the puncture hole.  Replacing the blade in it’s hidden location, she walked around the block from the backside and waited at the corner until 2:45pm.  At that time, she walked into the deli and began gushing about the guy she had met the night before.  Both of the Allen’s had taken a liking to Siren and listened in earnest and she elaborated on the fake meeting with the man of her dreams.  The two beamed and engaged in the conversations, asking questions, and relating the story to how they had met.  Before long, Mrs. Allen said “Oh my.  I must go.  It’s 3:30 pm and I must get to the bank.”  Siren continued to elaborate on the fake story, keeping Mr. Allen entertained until Mrs. Allen returned from the back residence.

“Honey, it looks like we have a flat tire.”

Mr. Allen looked down at the large deli order he was preparing and then looked back at his wife, “Baby, would it be ok if I change it in the morning?  I must get this order complete before 4;30 pm.”

Mrs. Allen agreed “Yes, yes of course.  I’ll just go to the bank tomorrow after you change the tire.”

Hearing what she wanted, Siren thanked the two for being so supportive and said she would keep them posted as her make believe man and her had another date set up for the weekend.  Exchanging good byes, she left the business.

Watching from her vantage point, like clockwork, she sees Mr. Allen turn over the Open sign to say Closed before the couple are see walking out the front door, locking it behind themselves.  Walking down the sidewalk, holding hands, the two were completely oblivious to the predator that was watching them.

The sun was setting and it would be complete dark within 30 minutes.  That would give her safely another 30 minutes before services would be complete and the couple would be returning home.  She walked around to the back of business and remained in a hidden spot until darkness would provide the necessary protection.

After a half hour, she moved toward the rear entry way that went directly to the living quarters the couple shared.  Pulling out lock picks, she applied the talent she had learned many years ago and within a few minutes, she turned the knob and the door open with a creak.  Walking into the single bedroom apartment, she started to search for her prize.  Knowing they wouldn’t leave the money in the open, she went into their bedroom and immediately spotted a close door and another entry way to the bathroom.  Opening the closet, she expected to find a safe bolted to the floor.  But she found only shoes, dresses, and suits.  Feeling around on the shelves, there were boxes of what appeared to be pictures and keep sakes, but still no money.  Closing the closet door, she went to a dresser and then an armoire, checking the drawers and under the units to no avail.  Half the time had expired and she was beginning to think this may be a bust.  Then she looked at the bed.  She pulled up the comforter, exposing the side of the mattress and box springs.  Sliding her hand between the two pieces, she immediately felt rolls of coins and the texture stacks of bills.

Pulling a sack she had secured to her hip, she began pulling out the cash and coins, placing them quickly in the bag.  Unwilling to turn on the lights, she was relying on feel as much as sight.  Working her way around the bed, adrenaline raced through her as she felt a thickly filled deposit satchel.  Pulling it out and dropping it in her bag, she quickly completed her search.  Then, she pulled down the comforter and smoothed out the wrinkles.  Looking at her watch, she was out of time.  She quickly made her way back over to the rear door and then quietly let her self out the back, except for the creak the door made upon opening.  Using the picks to relock the door to minimize the clues of the theft, she quickly walked away, staying to the shadows and she carried the bag.

Upon returning to her apartment, she dumped out the contents on her bed.  With a large smile of satisfaction, she counted the money and was quite content to have pulled off the crime so smoothly.  The little store with it’s hard working husband and wife team had just provided her with nearly $2,000.  Siren poured herself a glass of wine and headed into the bathroom for a much deserved hot bubble bath..

Siren walked into a department store, planning to shop lift a few items on this sleepy Saturday afternoon.  The store was bustling with activity which always helped in obscuring the unlawful act she was about to commit.  Needing nothing in particular, she simply wanted to feel the rush of adrenaline that came with each theft she completed, always looking to refine her talents.

As she walked through the ladies department and she examined the undergarments section, a lady dressed in black with a large ornate hat caught her attention.  While nothing about the woman would normally spark Siren's attention, the hat, with a large black feather acted like a beacon.  Siren followed her at a distance as she would moved from rack to rack, looking at various items of women's clothing.  The woman obviously planned to make a purchase as she pushed a cart along that currently held several various items of clothing.

What really drew Siren's attention was the purse that was hanging from the cart. Medium sized, it dangled off the back hand hold of the cart, swinging back and forth, care free each time the woman would stop.  Siren also noticed that the woman consistently pushed the cart to a spot next to a rack, then would step up between the cart and the rack to examine the clothing, almost as if she wanted to make sure no one was behind her.

Knowing she didn't have much time, she tracked the trend three more times and all three times the woman acted consistently.  Push the cart forward, stop, step up and turn her back on the cart to shuffle through the clothes on the rack.  On the fourth, Siren acted.

She had slowly closed the distance and was looking intensely at blouses on a rack that was strategically placed in what Siren hoped would be behind the woman.  To Siren's satisfaction, the woman followed her consistent actions and stopped the cart.  With three silent steps, Siren was behind the woman as she began shuffling through a rack of dresses.  And with a practiced agility, the purse was plucked from the cart without a sound.  Stepping a few racks away and then ducking down, Siren quickly made her way in a zig zag pattern avoiding other shoppers, she finally stopped.  She quickly unzipped the purse and pulled out a small billfold, stuffing it into a hidden pocket on the inside of her jacket.  Dropping the purse under a table of neatly folded pants, Siren stood and began walking toward the entrance in a slow gate to avoid drawing attention.

The woman hadn't noticed the theft at first and her reaction was delayed enough that there was no risk of Siren being caught.  Just as Siren reached the exit, she heard a scream from behind.  And as a smile crossed Siren's lips, a single word the woman had screamed echoed through her mind, "Thief!"

Siren sat on a stool at the end of the bar, scanning the room for her mark.  Taking a sip of her ice water, since she never drinks alcohol while working, the chilled liquid felt wonderful as it ran down her throat.  This was the first time in this bar in Chicago and she was reading the body language of many in the room, knowing it was just a matter of time before she found the "one".

As she watched, two men walked into the bar and as one headed over to claim a table, the other headed over to the bartender to place an order.  The man placing the order reached into his breast pocket and pulled out a thick custom looking wallet.  And if Siren was gonna guess, she figured it was thick because it was full of cash.....her cash.  Watching, she spotted the shining surface of a gold watch and the man had a large ring on each hand, one a wedding band and the other some type of ornamental ring that you see from a college.

She watched as waited for his order and noticed how he seemed to have wandering eyes, not only looking at several of the women's faces around the room, but also checking out all of their "assets".  This brought a slight grin to Siren's lips as she could play this up.

She patiently waited, believing that the two men would not stop at just one round of drinks.  She passed the bartender a tip as he refilled her water.  After about thirty minutes, her mark got up again and headed over to get another round.  Getting up, she slowly made her way toward him, avoiding his gaze and not bringing attention on herself.  As he placed the order, once again, he pulled out his wallet from his breast pocket and paid the bartender.  And just as he returned the wallet to what he believed to be a secure location, she acted.

Stepping forward quickly, she faked a trip, falling forward into the man.  Purely out of reflex, he turned to catch her from falling as her hands came up and onto his chest.  While her right landed on his chest and rubbed around in a circle, the left slid up and grabbed hold of the wallet, pulling it from the hidden pocket.  "Oh my, I am so sorry" came from her lips as her face was only inches from his.  And continuing to rub on his chest, she said "Oh, my, you are well put together honey".

The man, so caught off guard by the interaction, made no notice of having his wallet stolen and simply stammered to respond "Hey there.  Ahh, well, thank you.  Can I buy you a drink?"  

Pushing herself away and letting her left hand drop down and deposit the wallet into a pocket of her coat, she said "Oh honey, I would love too, but I was just leaving.  Maybe I can see you here tomorrow?"

The man showed a sign of disappointment, then excitement at her fake offer.  "Why yes, I would love to see you here tomorrow.  Same time?"

She started to walk toward the door, looking back, she said "Yes, same time sugar".

As she left the bar, she headed down the street and turned the corner.  Just as she turned, she saw the two men come running out, quickly looking in both directions for the thief.  She quickly entered a small department store and began looking at the inventory, making sure to remain unseen until the men left the area.

Popping open the wallet, she had been right and it was full of cash.  And on the inside, a small stack of business cards said James Avery, District Attorney, Chicago District.  She smiled at having duped a prosecutor....serves him right!