“It’s just...I just don’t know how she was able to pull it off?”

“Now now, officer, I’m sure you and your men will apprehend her soon enough and recover my stolen property.”

“Of...of course, sir.”

The two men stood in the front hall of Sir Arthur’s palatial estate. Around them, other policemen and women were busy sweeping for evidence, or at least trying to look busy doing so and not like they had just messed up royally.

Three days ago, Sir Arthur had come to the police with grave news. The wealthy playboy and philanthropist had received a chilling message in the form of a playing card; the Queen of Hearts. Written on it was simply “Three days from now. The peacock’s eye.” The playing card was well known as the calling card of the elusive cat burglar: the Red Queen. The peacock’s eye referred to the priceless jewel which was the pride of Sir Arthur’s collection and was to be the centerpiece of a charity exhibit several days hence.

Naturally, the police had responded at once, surrounding his estate with a small army of officers and detectives, an impenetrable cordon which would ensure the safety of Sir Arthur’s prized treasure and finally apprehend that dastardly thief and bring an end to her crime spree. This morning, however, they had awoken to find their efforts all for naught. The jewel’s glass case was smashed, the gem gone. The trio of policewomen assigned to watch it knocked out in the night and left trussed up where they were found the next morning by Sir Arthur’s housekeeper.

Still promising they would do all they could to catch the thief and recover the gem in time for the exhibition, the police departed the estate. Sir Arthur waited a few minutes as the police cars disappeared through the trees that surrounded the grounds. He left the house itself, crossing the well kept gardens.

At the back, screened by several hedges, was an old gardening shed. The door was shut with a heavy chain, the antique padlock long rusted over. Sir Arthur ignored it and slid a key into the hidden, modern and perfectly functional lock below. The door slid open, chains and all, allowing him into the musty room.

“Mmmppphhh!!!” The young woman inside groaned, loudly expressing her displeasure at her current predicament. She was seated on an old wooden bench, from which a few old, cracked plant pots had been moved aside to make room for her. Her arms were pulled behind her back, tied at the wrist with cord, while her legs out in front of her were tied as well, at the ankles and knees. A thick cloth gag was pulled between her pouty lips, muffling her complaints.

Just as Sir Arthur had left her then...though he didn’t recall the zipper of her tight black latex catsuit being quite so low, revealing a good deal more of her pale skin. Her large round breasts were all but spilling out of the catsuit. Sir Arthur glanced over at the other man in the shed, his right-hand manservant Tibalt. “Were you taking advantage of the young lady, Tibalt?” He accused.

“No, sir, not I!” Tibalt swore, both men quite ignoring the young woman’s angry nods and grunts of affirmation. Sir Arthur looked at his man servant for a second, before giving a shrug. He turned his attention back to the bound young woman.

“I have to say, you were quite skilled. I was very impressed how you eluded the police slipping in and out.” He told her with a grin. “Unfortunately for you, I was quite the accomplished thief myself back in my prime, I’m glad to see I haven’t lost any of my edge.”

The young thief groaned, squirming in her bonds. She’d been all but clear of the grounds, the gem in her pocket, when Sir Arthur and Tibalt, lurking in the shadows where they’d found the hole she’d cut in the outermost fence, had jumped and grabbed her. They’d quickly tied her hand and feet, and gagged her, before bundling her into the toolshed, leaving Tibalt to guard her while Sir Arthur snuck back into the mansion to be woken by the police who sadly reported the theft of his prized gem.

“I should thank you, I believe.” Sir Arthur continued. “I already had plans to arrange the theft of the gem. It’s heavily insured, of course, but having a well known thief like you steal it will be the perfect cover.”

He thought for a moment, studying the captive woman. “Now, the question remains what to do with you. I’m sure you’ve no shortage of enemies who’d pay handsomely...” At the thought of this, she trembled with fright. He grinned, one hand reaching down to the open zipper of her catsuit. “On the other hand, I’m sure we can find some other arrangement...”