HomeGrand Theft and a Petty Thief
by Joyce H. Ackley
Sonya’s footsteps fell silent on the thick carpet in the hallway. Soundlessly, she entered Marge Tierney’s guest bedroom. The bed housed an array of purses, coats, and a few evening wraps. A bouquet of scents emanated from the garments. Sonya pinched her nose.
She studied the artfully arranged vignette on Marge’s dresser. A porcelain lamp occupied one end, a fancy tray, the other. The pearls spilling over its rim were fake, or faux, as Sonya liked to say. A crystal bottle held perfume. A silk rose rested next to a framed photograph of Marge as a bride. Among the mementos was a small, sterling silver compact. The emeralds embellishing it were real.
Using a tissue, Sonya removed the compact and shifted each of the remaining items to conceal the empty spot. Fat, stupid Marge wouldn’t notice the compact was missing, she thought. If she did, she’d never know who took it. Sonya tucked the compact into her bra and adjusted the neckline of her dress. She struck a Red Carpet pose and winked at her reflection in the mirror.
In the living room, candlelight cast a festive glow. Shelby Winston sat at the baby grand, delivering an impressive interpretation of Alicia Keys.
The guests’ backs were to Sonya as she entered the room. She stopped at a console and picked up a fresh glass of wine.
When Gerald Tierney turned toward her, Sonya smiled and headed over to the loveseat where he sat. She took a seat on the arm of the sofa, crossing her legs so her short skirt revealed plenty of bare thigh.
“Great party,” she said.
“I’m glad you’re enjoying it. Shelby’s quite the entertainer, isn’t she?”
“She really is.” Sonya moved just enough to allow her breast to brush Gerald’s arm.
Gerald nodded. “Very talented.”
At the end of the gala, Sonya clasped Marge’s hands in hers. “Thank you for a wonderful evening. You throw the best parties!”
A smile wreathed Marge’s plain, plump face. “You’re so kind,” she said. “Gerald and I love to entertain.” She patted Sonya’s arm. “Glad you came, dear.”
Two days later, Sonya phoned the Tierney’s home. She made it a point to call at noon. Marge would be downtown, lunching at Carlo’s with Shelby. She’d overheard the two making plans.
When the answering machine picked up, she tightened her throat, forcing a raspy tone. “Marge, I wanted to thank you again.” She let out a husky cough. “I’m coming down with the flu, but just had to tell you the party was lovely.”
Pleased that she’d met her social obligation, Sonya opened the silver compact and tossed a smug smile into its mirror.
The next day, Sonya’s phone rang. The caller ID read G. T. Tierney.
“Hello.” Sonya’s greeting flowed like sun-warmed honey.
“It’s Marge, Sonya. I wanted to check on you. You’re feeling better?”
“Yes, thanks. I tried the old standby. You know, plenty of liquids, rest, and aspirin. It did the trick.” Sonya rolled her eyes. “How are you?”
"I’m upset, actually. We had a little theft during the party. My silver compact is missing.”
“Good heavens! Are you sure? Someone took it from your purse?”
“Oh, no. The little round one I kept in the guest bedroom. It belonged to my mother.”
“I can’t imagine,” Sonya said. “You knew everyone at the party, didn’t you?”
“Well, Evelyn and Ron Hayes brought their house guests from Vermont, whom we’d never met. And it was the first time the Fenton’s had been to our house. We’ve had dinner together once or twice at the club.”
“I hate to point fingers at anyone, but there were strangers in your home. You just never know.”
“That’s right. You just never know. Gerald wanted to hire an attendant to stay in the bedroom to help the girls with their coats. Of course, the idea was she’d keep an eye on purses and what not.”
“It’s a shame you’d have to do that in your own home,” Sonya said.
“That’s what I told Gerald. But he and I agree that even friends can’t always be trusted.”
Sonya shifted in her chair. “Oh, I don’t know if that’s true.”
“I do,” said Marge. “That’s why we installed a hidden camera in the guest room.”
-End-
Joyce H. Ackley is a retired teacher living in sunny Florida. She shares her writing space with three spoiled cats. Ackley’s work has been published in Good Old Days magazine and online on Long and Short Reviews, Romance Flash, and Dollar Stretcher. She was recently published in Aspiring to Inspire Women’s Anthology. Her blog can be found at joyackley.wordpress.com. Contact Joyce.
