Despite getting a late start on the exclusive Patreon stories, as well as the announcement of the genres, the idea behind my Crime Caper arrived mostly fully formed. With a few adjustments to the initial outline, I sculpted that rough concept into a fun first draft. While I made sure to layer in the familiar elements that define Jessica’s stories, I also needed to weave in details that would firmly establish the genre. Finding the right words for that balance was a blast. From there, it became a matter of placing her in the right environment.
Some evenings are built to be admired rather than understood. From the lights pooling in deliberate places to the music humming just loudly enough to soften conversations, or the surfaces gleaming with intentions. Certain spaces amplify wealth in a way that allows it to announce itself quietly. In those places, excess disguises itself as refinement, and gestures are meant to reassure rather than impress. These environments are designed to comfort those who believe they belong there.
At events like these, masks can make people feel safer. They promise anonymity while preserving hierarchy and offer the illusion that identity can be set aside without consequence. Behind lacquered smiles and gilded curves, people speak more freely and move with greater confidence, assuming they are unseen. It is an old lie, but one that survives because it is convenient.
Jessica has always understood that this premise is flawed. Where others see spectacle, she sees structure. Where they admire surfaces, she studies seams. Tonight is not about celebration or display. It is about patterns, timing, and the quiet certainty that every carefully arranged evening reveals more than it intends to hide.
“Invitation, please.”
Jessica offered a slight inclination of her head as she withdrew a thick card from her clutch. She extended the ivory cardstock toward the attendant blocking the entrance to the gala. The golden text glinted under the overhead lights. “Are you stationed outside of the party for the entire event?”
“That’s the job,” he said as he accepted the invitation before passing it over his scanner. With a short beep, the device’s screen flashed green. He slipped the invitation into the lockbox beside him and opened the door, ushering her inside. “Enjoy your evening.”
“Thank you.” Jessica nodded as she glided into an expansive ballroom, highlighted by chandeliers etched with gold and adorned with jewels. Before the entrance closed, she covered her eyes with her mask, joining the guests mingling under the gaudy decorations. While she designed an elaborate one, the sea of masks outshined hers.
Between the lacquered feathers, gilded filigree, and porcelain smiles frozen in practiced benevolence, her grin softened. While the attendees assumed their disguises provided anonymity, they ignored the attributes that allowed her to identify individuals. That brazen confidence followed her through the crowd as she mingled.
As a waiter slid through the undulating crowd, balancing the fluted drinks, she followed in his wake, listening to the names dropped as everyone sipped their social lubricant. When a guest claimed the last drink, she latched onto a different server as he passed unseen throughout the masked patrons. As the pair navigated the chamber, Jessica categorized the individuals and their finery. By the time she completed her fourth circuit, she had identified and organized her targets.
With her prioritized list in mind, she plucked a glass from a passing waiter and headed toward the gala’s organizer. When she reached her, Jessica slid into the conversation as if she were the one who had started it. “That’s an excellent point.”
“Isn’t it?” The organizer turned, flashing a broad smile to Jessica. “Not a single establishment rivals my restaurant.”
Jessica nodded as she pointed at the chandelier. “Are those decorations yours?”
“Flaunting this much wealth is not within my financial ability,” she said, sipping her drink. “Though the dangling gems make such a beautiful sight.”
“Who provided the accouterments for this gala?”
A laugh washed over Jessica as the organizer pressed her free palm to her chest. “Those are donations to elevate the evening.”
“Well, you did an amazing job securing them.” Jessica rested her hand on the woman’s shoulder. After a gentle squeeze, she ran her fingers down the organizer’s arm, feeling the clasp give way beneath them, before lifting her glass toward the woman. She slipped into the crowd as the organizer laughed, unaware of her wrist getting lighter.
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