Arabella stared down at the blueprints of the museum that had been rolled out onto the table all day. She had been holed up in her family’s headquarters, planning their next big heist, for what seemed like days but if they could pull this off, the payoff would be worth it. She took a pencil that had been stuck behind her ear and made a few marks on the paper before glancing at the time. A few of the guys had started to filter in already, as Arabella had instructed them to be here at a specific time in order to get instructions for the night ahead.

This heist had been in the works for a few days now, really, since Arabella had gotten tipped off that a famous art piece was being brought to the states to be hung in their local art museum here in Detroit. Apparently some rich snobs had fought over it and it had almost ended up in New York; luckily for her, it didn’t. She had a source inside the museum, someone she could pay off for information when needed, and they’d made big bucks for this information. Tonight was the night to get this done; according to her source the painting would be put out on display for tomorrow and after that it would become much more difficult to steal.

As the family filtered into the room, Arabella made her rounds, greeting people and talking about other things until it was time to begin. Dressed casually in navy blue pants and a white seater, her hair was worn in a braid that fell down her back. She stood in the center of the room and called everyone to attention.

“All right guys, we’ve got a good opportunity on our hands here. This painting is worth millions and we have the chance to get our hands on it. It will be a small operation but everyone will have a part to play. I need at least one get away driver, parked outside. Someone else will be parked a block away, keeping lookout for any potential trouble. Those of us on the inside will be entering here,” Arabella pointed at a section of the blue prints, where she’d marked a dotted line along the path they would take. “The painting is in this office, ready to be hung up tomorrow. The only potential trouble is the night watchman. He makes rounds every half hour but my source tells me after midnight he tends to sit in his office and sleep for a while. His office is here.” Arabella pointed to another mark on the blueprints. “We’ll need someone to hang out nearby in case he decides to skip his nap tonight.”

Arabella smirked as she looked around the room. “This should be an easy one. We get in, we get the painting, we get out. Any questions?”

"Eh... yes." Cionar made his way through the guys in front of him to get closer to Arabella. He stood by her side looking on the map with a loose tie, since this heist is something to cause him a sweaty forehead. 

"Are you sure there won't be any trouble? I can't imagine they have just this one guard for such an expensive Artwork. I wouldn't dare to question a Boss, but... is there any chance your information are wrong? What about the alarm system? Is it connected to the police? How many minutes do we have until they catch us?"

Listened carefully as Arabella spoke of the plan.

Will there be any kind of trigger alarm? 
also like Cionar said, it's hard to believe that only one guard is protecting a million dollar painting.
Just sound too good to be true.

looks back at the mastermind for an answer.

RazorRamon flexes

Museum folk aren't usually known for being too tough, and the night shift of these places tend to be lazy slobs happy to get a paycheck for catching Z's rather than bad guys. I can take care of whoever they've got guarding this thing, hopefully without making too much noise. But this is your gig Arabella_, so I'll do whatever you need me to do. Just tell me where you want me to be.

Swarley casually observed the conversation before sliding towards the front.

"I'm willing to lend a helping hand wherever I can. It's a shame this isn't going down in my backyard, but I'm willing to take the backseat on this one. The security guard seems like something that I can handle. Sneaking in and out of situations is an area that I excel at."

He blends back in with the group, while waiting for Arabella's instructions.  

“Fair enough question, but this isn’t the Louvre here guys. It’s Detroit; it just happens that Mr. Alfred Sloan, president of General Motors, wanted this painting and he generously decided to lend it to the museum for a few weeks for display to the public.” It was clear by the tone in her voice that Arabella didn't think much of Mr. Sloan.

Arabella looked around the room, shrugging. “Of course there’s a chance my information is wrong. There’s always a chance. Maybe they beefed up security since this painting is here. I’m sure we’ll have a few locks to pick and maybe an alarm to deal with. But that’s the risk we take. All we can do is be prepared and expect the unexpected. That’s half the fun after all.”

Looking at the time, Arabella looked at the group once more. “Go gear up, make sure your weapons are loaded and we’ll meet out front in 30 minutes. We’ve got a time table to keep.”

Understood Arabella, I'll be the get away driver on this heist. I wish all you guys the best luck!

I leave the room to make a final check on the van, Can't have any problem arising during the heist.

Swarley left the room to grab his gear bag from outside. He removed the suit and switched it out for a dark turtleneck with black slacks. The watch stayed with him, so he could make sure to sync up with everyone else. Lastly, he grabbed the silencer and spun it onto his pistol. Hopefully, it wouldn't be in use for the mission, but you could never be too safe in the life of crime. 

Rounding the corner to the front of the building, he saw Arabella waiting there standing next to the van. He was happy to see Sweetsuns was driving. They had been on a few missions before together. A bit of a maniac behind the wheel when needed, but as long as he kept them out of police custody, then Swarley didn't mind too much.

"Good to see you here, Sweetsuns. Hope we won't be doing any drifting tonight. I don't think this van can handle it," Swarley chuckled. "Arabella, looking good as always. Thanks again for including me on the mission."

I saw Swarley as he approached. It was quite rare to see him alone, since he's usually with his student Ilammo.
He greets me lightly and taps the van a couple of times.

"Ey Swarley, This vans been through a lot with me, a couple of drifting here and there won't kill you"

I wink at swarley and started packing.

Arabella changed quickly, switching into an all-black pants suit. She checked her weapon, making sure it was fully loaded and then headed outside to wait for the guys by the van. Sweetsuns was already checking over the van and Swarley was next to join them, thanking her for the invite. “Any time Swarley. I might be in Detroit now but New York is still my home.”

She waited until the rest of the guys had joined them and loaded up into the van. “All right, let’s get out of here. Sweetsuns, the door we’re going into is on the left side of the building, closer to the back. It’s the furthest from the main street so we shouldn’t be too easy to spot.” 

As Sweetsuns approached the left side of the building, Swarley's heart rate began to rise. It was not that he was nervous, but more so excited. The thrill of the hunt was always a massive draw for him. As soon as the van was parked, Arabella led the way pointing out directions silently for everyone. Swarley ducked into a nearby window and clicked on a flashlight. No paintings in this room, but many marble sculptures crowded the space. Luckily some were large enough to hide behind in case the security guard was deviating from the normal schedule.

All seemed to be going according to plan, so he took off down the hall. The museum was almost completely dark which would only add to their cover. He needed to find the guard's office and quickly. Coming across a few rooms, they just appeared to be standard offices and storage space with forgotten lights left on. "Where the hell is the guard?" Swarley thought to himself. Just then, he heard a faint bit of static in the air followed by the chorus of a popular song. He crept along to find the source of the sound.

Approaching the bright office with a glass door, the sound of a muffled radio could be heard. Swarley peaked in the room from an angle and saw the security guard leaning back in a desk chair. The guard appeared to be deep in slumber.

"Excellent. I'll just keep a look out here and hope Arabella keeps on schedule," Swarley whispered to himself. 

The only thing that was lit on the streets were the street lamps. 
The night was dead and we encountered nothing but the silent night on the way to the museum.
Well, of course since it was already 2:30 am. but Still, Something bothered me.

A sign of drunk bastards, homeless man nor a parked car were present as we closed in to the museum.
It was too quiet and too empty.

" I hate to tell you guys this but I have a bad feeling, and when I do, I'm usually right. "

I parked at the left side of the building and looked back at the crew.
They looked over each other and tapped on my shoulder telling me not to be so paranoid.

" I hope I'm wrong. Good luck guys "

I watched them sneak out and enter the building. Keeping the engine on, I stayed alert for any signs of trouble.

.

.

.

Little did we all notice the entire police force staying standby behind the museum half a miles away.
​An anonymous tip lead the police force to be on the highest alert. 

Just before any of them could move, the guard that was supposedly leaning on his chair swayed sideways and drop to the floor. The dull thud of the corpse hitting the cold, concrete floor echoed throughout the Museum. All of their eyes darted all over the place. 

With a smile, Ilammo stepped out from the shadows, a blindspot that none of them noticed. He was dressed in a full-black attire. He wiped his pistol that was slightly smeared with the Guard's blood, before turning to the assemble and acknowledging them.

"Good evening gentlemen," as Ilammo nodded to SweetSuns and Swarley, " and of course, good evening ma'am," turning to Arabella, taking her hand a landed a kiss inbetween her fingers.

"I've gotten word from a little birdy that there was some kind of raid tonight. So I'd figured I help and take out the inside guy first. Hid in the vents since morning and boy, never knew I could go without a drink for that long." Ilammo smiled.

"So, what's the plan from here?" Ilammo leaned on the wall, not noticing that he triggered off a silent alarm that went straight to the police HQ in Detroit.

As the day begins I am sitting at my kitchen table drinking my cup of Joe, no espresso this morning, reading my morning paper I see on the front page an art gallery heist. I read how the coppers can't figure out who did the heist and that there are no clues.  I start to laugh knowing that it was another job well done by friends of mine. This city is for the taking as long as you put together the right crew for jobs.