"I taught you how to pick locks and this is how you use that skill!?"

Under my breath, I seethed.

"Well, I'm sorry I'm not practical with my skills, oh wise teacher," I spat through grit teeth. "What do you want me to do? Break into the Louvre to steal the Mona Lisa?"

I was met with an eye roll.

"Still, for a candy box?"

"Hey, I'm curious! What's the point of candy if you don't share it," I point out, "Or eat it." Cynthia shrugged and watched me work.

"Still, the boss doesn't like it when we look through his things. I don't know why you haven't learned this by now. Sometimes I think you want an early grave."

"I'll just take a quick peek—or bite," I said, "and he won't even know the difference."

"I won't know the difference about what?" Cynthia and I froze in our tracks. We're completely screwed for this one.

Cynthia and I looked at each other. Setting the box down and letting the bobbypin fall from my hands, I turned around slowly. I gulped as Cynthia nudged me over.

Fumbling over my words, I struggled to find a good excuse.

"Um... nothing?" I shrugged as a goofy smile unintentionally crept upon my face. The boss's face was expressionless. Beads of sweat went down my face. He walked past me and towards the box.

"Ah, I was looking for this. Where did you find it?" I grimaced.

"We didn't. It's been here the whole time," I replied tentatively. The boss hummed, took the box and made his way out the door. I noticed his eyes drift to where the cast off bobbypin was but he made no mention of it. Once he left, Cynthia and I breathed out a side of relief.

"That was close. "

"Too close," I agreed. Cynthia plucked up the bobbypin and put it away.

"We're lucky that you're the Shaquile O'Neal of lying." I rolled my eyes at Cynthia's remark. I had to admit, she was right. We got lucky. Still, that box left me with more questions than answers. I looked at Cynthia and I could tell that the two of us were in the same train of thought.

"He took it pretty well," I pointed out, "I wonder why." Cynthia shrugged.

"Maybe he didn't want us to think that it was bigger? Did you ever think about that?"

"Yes and I have realized that he has failed in doing so," I retaliated. "And I have a plan to find out what this 'bigger thing' is." Cynthia groaned and put her head in her hands. I turned my head.

"Are you not in?"

"Yes, I'm in," Cynthia replied, "On the condition that you take the fall." Shaking my head, I agreed.