The Stolen Jewels
Detective Anne Blake entered the jewelry store to find the forensics team at work as the mall security guard, Bob Shaw watched attentively from the doorway.
"What happened here, Shaw?" Detective Blake asked.
"I'm not completely sure." he admitted, scratching his head. "Tonight was a busy one here, and after all the stores shut down, I was making my rounds when I noticed the glass door to the jewelry store was still open. I walked in and there was a girl lying on the floor, unconscious. I found that whited cloth by her head," he sighed.
"Chloroform?" Blake asked. Shaw nodded. "Then what happened?"
"I picked the girl up, took her into the back room where there's a sofa, and then I called the police. I did a quick look around and noticed the display case at the front of the store was empty, but the key was still in the lock."
"Any idea who cold have done this?" Blake asked.
"No way to be sure." Shaw answered truthfully. "There were so many people here this evening and a lot of senior citizens walking the mall, as usual. Maybe one of them saw something."
"Could one of the seniors have been our thief?" Blake asked curiously.
Shaw shook his head "Likely not, but I suppose it'd be worth it to ask around."
Blake nodded.
Just then a young woman stumbled out front the store's back room, walking slowly and holding her head. Detective Blake stepped forward and gently shook her hand. "What's your name, miss?"
"Lucy Cray," she answered shakily.
"Could you tell us what happened ere, Miss Cray?"
The girl drew a long sigh. "I was in the back room putting today's sales money in the safe. I guess I forgot to close and lock the door. It was a careless thing to do, I know, but I've only worked here a week and the mall seemed like a safe enough place." She glanced down at her hands. "Anyhow, while I was back there, I heard a noise out front. I thought it might be a late customer, but before I'd taken two steps out of the office, someone grabbed me from behind and held a cloth over my face. I passed out and just woke up a minute ago."
"Did you see who grabbed you, by chance?"
"No," she said, shaking her head.
"Could you tell anything about this person at all?"
She paused. "Well, when my face was covered with that cloth I saw the and holding it was wearing a glove. And now that I think of it,....my head was bulled backward against what felt like a man's chest."
"That gives us an idea of how tall your attacker was. Now would you be able to tell us what was in that empty display case?" Blake asked.
"That's where we keep our top-of-the line necklaces and some of the most expensive earrings in the store."
"And where did that key come from?" Blake asked.
"He must have taken it off me." Lucy said, gesturing to her wrist. "I always keep it here, on an elastic band, where it's handy."
"Thank you," Blake said. "if that's all you can think of, you're free to go home."
"Thank you" Lucy said. "And you, Mr. Shaw, for taking me to the sofa, where I'd be safe. I don't know how I'm going to tell my boss about this."
"Don't worry," Blake said "We'll do that."
"Now what?" Shaw asked. "Do we interview the senior mall walkers to see if they noticed something?"
"That won't be necessary," Blake said smiling. "I already know who did it."
Who stole the jewelry?
... my hand won't get better very soon - I may have to learn to type without feeling the keys... so here is the next story. 
