The Girl with the Sapphire Necklace

The sapphire sparkles on her necklace. I take of a sip of my drink and watch the girl make her rounds, showing off the necklace. She’s the fifth woman to do just that this month. The other four are dead.

Some people say the necklace is cursed, the necklace version of the Hope Diamond. But, they say the curse only affects those who wear the necklace, which is good news for me because I’m not going to wear it. I’m here to steal it.

I leave my full glass on the bar and head after the girl with the sapphire necklace. She’s talking to a man who thinks he’s more important than he is, a duke or an earl. I saunter up behind her, getting into position. As soon as I’m ready, the lights go out.

Women shriek, and I pretend to bump into the girl with the necklace. “Oomph!” I knock her to the ground. “I’m so sorry, miss. Here, let me help you.” I offer her my hand.

She takes it, and I pull her to her feet, more forcefully than necessary. She collides with my chest.

“Oh,” she says, one of her hands feeling the muscles on my stomach.

I groan, quietly and flirtatiously. Then I run one hand down her arm and unclasp the necklace with the other. It’s a simple clasp, and the girl doesn’t even notice I’ve undone it.

She shivers under my touch as I run my hand back up her arm. I take one side of the necklace in each hand and step back.

“Where are you going?” she asks, disappointed.

“Somewhere more private,” I say.

I duck into the panicked crowd, and the girl stumbles after me. I make it out of the ballroom and keep going, moving until I’m safely out of the building.

The lights go back up as I start down the driveway to the car waiting for me. There’s a piercing scream. I finger the sapphire necklace in my pocket and smile.