“Ninety seconds,” Mr. Blue said into the mike.

Mr. White moved to the necklace case. Once the glass was broken, she to removed the designated pieces and put them in her bag. The watches were next.

“One minute,” Mr. Blue announced.

Mr. White broke the display glass and quickly removed Rolexes and other expensive watches then placed them in the bag.

Mr. Green lit a cigar and moved to the display case that contained diamond rings. This case was different from the rest. Unlike the other alarm sensors, which were triggered by the sound of glass shattering, this case was armed with sensor beams that were invisible to the naked eye. If the beams broken in any way, they would set off an alarm. Entering a code, which they did not have, was the only way to disable this device.

Mr. Green removed a glasscutter and a suction cup from his pocket. He placed the suction cup on the glass and with the glasscutter, made four even cuts. He carefully lifted the glass from the case and placed it on the floor at his feet.

“Thirty seconds.”

Mr. Green blew smoke from the cigar into the display case. Once in contact with the beams, the smoke made them visible and minimized the risk. Cautiously, Mr. Green reached in and began to remove the designated rings, dropping them in the bag. Out the corner of his eye, Mr. Green could see the store manager reaching for something. “Movement, Mr. Blue. On my three.”

Mr. Blue moved toward the manager and pointed his gun at the store manager’s head. “I don’t want to kill you and you don’t want to die.” The manager stopped moving and Mr. Blue returned to his position.

With his attention diverted, Mr. Green accidentally allowed his hand to come in contact with one of the beams and set off the alarm. The manager reached for a gun; Mr. Green immediately pulled his gun and fired one shot in the direction of the manager. He stepped to the manager, kicked the gun from his hand then began kicking him in the head.