Crushed by Leen Elle Page B

for a less prestigious college. Poor woman accidentally found our target painting."
     
    "Why do you sound like you pity her?"
     
    "Well, she thinks she's discovered a painting that's been missing for nearly over a century. If she's right, we'll be taking her opportunity to show off her finding. If she's wrong, then her excitement was for nothing." Robert shrugged, sounding as if he didn't' care either way.
     
    "You can't just let her have it?" Sophie asked, feeling somewhat guilty.
     
    "You obviously don't understand the concept of stealing. If I thought about how others felt when I stole from them, I'd be a great deal less effective as a thief. Tonight, I expect you not to care about this woman. Focus only on retrieving and escaping."
     
    As she stared at Robert, Sophie noticed that his expression was hard. The closer they came to arriving to their destination, the less carefree he seemed.
     
    "You'll find that stealing from the public is rather easy." Robert continued.
     
    "Stealing from this professor is like stealing from the public?" He'd caught Sophie's interest. She felt like she was slowly beginning to understand.
     
    "I consider stealing from places like museums, or from unsuspecting citizens, like this professor, stealing from the public. Stealing from people like Max..." He paused and his expression darkened. "That takes skill.''
     
    "I can't imagine how stealing from a museum is easier than stealing from one person." Sophie's brow furrowed.
     
    "It depends on the one person." He answered. "Max and Cleo aren't average people. Neither of them have had to work a day in their lives. By inheriting their fortunes they've received a lifestyle that allows them to do whatever they please. They find excitement in acquiring things that money cannot buy, and when someone tries to take what they believe is theirs...they tend to turn violent."
     
    "Is that why Max killed my parents?" Sophie whispered.
     
    "Possibly." Robert frowned, looking disturbed.
     
    While Sophie was eager to keep questioning him, the time for answers had passed. The car slowly pulled to a stop, and before Sophie had realized they had arrived, Robert was unbuckling his seatbelt.
     
    "Ready?" He asked as he opened the door to step outside of the car.
     
    Sophie followed suit, frowning at the thousands of questions she still had racing through her mind.
     
    "You said there was no danger, right?" Sophie replied, following close behind him as he began walking down the sidewalk. They were obviously on a college campus, but the area was unfamiliar.
     
    "Right." He answered, shoving his hands in his pockets.
     
    As she was examining him closely, Sophie saw him shift his behavior. His strides became slower and more relaxed, and his expression turned bored, rather than serious. For a moment he appeared to be like any of the other students walking around campus.
     
    She tried to follow his lead, but she couldn't help feeling awkward. She'd worn a baggy sweatshirt, old sneakers, and a pair of faded blue jeans, though she still didn't feel masculine enough. She had no idea how she was supposed to act in her role. She didn't want to seem like she was trying too hard to appear like a male.
     
    "Keep up." Robert ordered, glancing back at her.
     
    "I'm trying." She hissed, pulling up her hood around her face as she quickened her pace so that she was walking beside of him. "How far away is this building?"
     
    "Right up there." He motioned three buildings up. "Her office hours were over two hours ago, but we should wait until we're sure no one else is inside."
     
    Street lights flickered on around them as they approached the building. Sophie checked her watch upon their arrival, wondering how long they would have to wait.
     
    "Aren't there too many people around?" She asked when Robert stopped walking. Various college students were still wandering around campus, and Sophie couldn't see how they would be able to break inside the building.
     
    "You