The city museum housed the Star of the East, a flawless blue diamond worth millions. Silas, a professional thief, spent months planning his entry. He memorized the guard schedules, mapped the security cameras, and acquired the tools to bypass the laser grid. Tonight was the night to execute his plan.
At midnight, Silas climbed the stone wall of the museum. He entered through a high window he had unlocked earlier that day. The marble corridors were silent and cold. He moved like a shadow, checking his watch. He had exactly four minutes before the night guards completed their next round.
Silas reached the central exhibition hall. The blue diamond sat on a velvet cushion inside a thick glass case. He pulled out a specialized glass cutter and a suction cup. He worked quickly, his hands steady. He cut a perfect circle in the glass, lifted it out, and reached inside to grab the prize.
His hand met empty air.
The velvet cushion was bare. The diamond was gone.
Startled, Silas stepped back. A soft laugh came from the dark corner of the room. A second figure stepped into the dim light. She wore black clothes and held a small velvet pouch. It was Elena, a rival thief known for her incredibly quick work.
"You are late," Elena said, tossing the pouch in the air and catching it. "I arrived ten minutes ago. The security here is easier than we thought."
Silas frowned. "The alarm didn't go off. How did you manage that?"
"I used a digital bypass code," she replied. "But we have a major problem now. The guards changed their schedule tonight. They are coming back to this room right now."
Heavy footsteps echoed from the corridor outside. The bright beam of a flashlight swept across the doorway.
"We need to go," Silas whispered. "Together. It is the only way."
Elena hesitated for a second, then nodded. They ran to the open window. Silas secured his climbing rope to the heavy metal frame. He slid down first, followed quickly by Elena. They reached the dark alley below just as the sirens began to wail from the museum roof.
In the safety of the shadows several blocks away, Elena opened the pouch and showed him the glittering diamond. "A fair split?" she asked.
Silas nodded. "A fair split."
What do you think Silas and Elena should do with the diamond next?