The Innovator

By William Emmett

This is a fun book about the lead character (Jack Green). He is technically competent in electrical gadgets and uses his knowledge to steal from the rich. Eventually his exploits become noticed by both the police and the underworld and after a close call from both groups he decides he must escape and begin a legitimate life. But he has the desire for excitement and creativity so what should he do without attracting the searching eyes of the many who are after him?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris AU
• Release date: Apr 3, 2017
• ISBN: 9781524561895

William Emmett

WILLIAM “BILL” EMMETT was bom in Girraween, NSW, in 1939. He is a graduate of the University of New South Wales where he obtained a degree in Industrial Chemistry, specializing in Ceramics. Emmett’s keen interest in sailing, science and astronomy, and his curiosity about the future possibilities for mankind, has led to the writing of this book.

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Copyright © 2017 by William Emmett.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the copyright owner.

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to any actual persons, living or dead, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Thinkstock are models, and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.

Certain stock imagery © Thinkstock.

Rev. date: 03/30/2017

Xlibris

1-800-455-039

www.Xlibris.com.au

513363

Contents

Chapter 1 Thief

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4 Escape

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8 New Beginning

CHAPTER 1

THIEF

T he night was dark, no moon, cloudy, a little cold.

Jim Taylor was athletic, cautious but quick in movement, covered from head to toe in black.

He moved across the roof silently eventually choosing a spot where he judged a ceiling manhole would be.

He knew this information from researching various builders’ houses.

From his backpack he chose a jemmy covered with a rubber film. Lifting a number of tiles he sliced through the insulation sheeting and lowered himself into the roof cavity.

He quickly found the manhole and withdrew various items from his back pack. At the manhole he covered the surrounds with a black sheet, changed his shoes (he knew they would be covered in telltale dust from the attic) then lifted the manhole slightly and listened, hearing nothing he lowered his climbing pole and silently scaled down into the room. He noted the security detectors but since he had silenced the outside alarm as well as the telephone connection he knew there would be no problem.

Firstly to the bedrooms, all clear, finally to the kitchen. Since there was no food preparation he felt the house was definitely empty.

From here he began a systematic search of the rooms to find valuables. Firstly he found the backdoor and unlocked it then began a systematic search. He did not touch anything as much as possible, but took pics discovered a safe in the clothes room, artwork, some cash in the study. From his back pack he took a series of miniature cameras and placed them in discreet position around the house and then noticed a button under the desk in the study.

He pressed it. Part of the book case moved aside. Behind it was a steel clad locked door he tried a series of specific master keys but none worked. From the back pack a flexible hose with camera attached was slid under the door. He could see stairs leading down to a basement room.

Curious; he whispered to himself. Clearly there must be something valuable down there.

Just after planting another series of cameras, flashes of light played through the house. He ran to the window; a car had pulled into the driveway. He ran to the back door locked it then taking two steps at a time fled up the stairs, the climbing stick was pulled up and the manhole closed as the front door opened.

He could hear a second then a third car pull up in the driveway. Standing in the roof cavity, heart thumping he moved carefully to the roof opening. Planting a receiver and sender in the roof he immediately moved out of the open roof and replaced the tiles with care.

Dam he thought, who can that be? He flicked on the remote switches that had isolated the alarm system, and then rechecked the tiles

Crossing the roof he went to the side of the house lowered his stick, climbed down, scaled the rear wall and silently moved to his parked vehicle. That place will have to wait he said under his breath. Well I’ll try number 2.

Finding his electric bike he sat for awhile to calm down. That was close he thought. I suspect it’s one of their brood going to have a party while the parents are away.

Number 2 was a Tab outlet near the racecourse. They advertised that no money was kept on the premises. But surveillance with his drone had shown the late race meeting meant they did not have a chance to remove the days taking.

He quickly found the telephone line connection high up near the eaves along with an outside alarm. Believing the security should have come and gone. He placed and climbed his carbon fibre stick inserted the remotely controlled bypass switch on both circuits and cut the main line. Then he saw the light beam flash along the ground. No time to go down so stepping further up the stick he grabbed the edge of the roof overhang and pulled himself up rolling over the lip then quickly leant over and whipped the carbon fibre stick up just as the guard walked around the corner.

His heart was thumping for the second time that night. I think he heard me he thought. The guard stopped, running the beam up and down the walls then around the yard and listened.

It a wonder he can’t hear my heartbeat Jim thought.

The guard looked at his watch then walked on.

As soon as I have made enough I’m giving this game up, he thought. This was not a good night.

The roof was tin, not his best choice, difficult to enter but there was a skylight. That was quickly broken into and he climbed down into the room.

Using ultra-violet light and goggles he set about appraising the contents. There was a safe and old one, and a grilled door locked and chained.

His powerful hydraulic cutters soon broke the chain and removed the lock from the bars. Inside was cash, lots of it, must be surplus to the safe or the safe is a decoy, he thought.

He placed his stethoscope on the grey metallic door and in 30 minutes he was in, more cash.

He carefully opened the front door and listened, all quiet, looked out, no one, closing and locking the door he fled. Hopping on his bike he drove slowly past the TAB flicking his remote which reactivated the alarm and phone then driving sedately he purred off into the night. A 50/50 night he thought but still rewarding.

The next day he opened the channel to his receiver which was recording continuous information from the outside surveillance camera and inside the first house. He heard the girl tell a friend she would leave the house on Friday night her parents were due Saturday morning.

Saturday came; pulling up a chair in his workshop he watched as the owner went to a safe on the wall and removed three keys and a device that looked like a magnet. He opened the bookcase unlocked the door and ran the magnet up the centre, with that the door was pushed open.

Whatever is down there is very valuable, he said in a slow voice.

A week later armed with all the details to open the safes and enter the basement he entered the house again.

He moved quickly having planned the night’s movements in great detail. Safe, keys, magnet, open door enter the stairs.

Switching on his powerful torchlight a wondrous array of art surrounded him and another safe.

It would need a van to take some of these away he mused to himself but art is difficult he thought as he flicked the torch light around to more pictures. Pulling out his camera he flashed multiple pics around the room. I will have to think carefully about this room. He whispered to himself.

Locking the door he vacated the premises. It had taken no more than 20 minutes.

Mick Grange ran a small business selling safes and security alarms. He had also been in prison. Jim had contacted him before so Tim knew his voice but not what he looked like.

The phone rang. Tim, how are you? Tim looked up, Oh is that you Mr nobody.

Tim I am sending you a parcel along with some information. Please read and call me. Bye.

Around midday a parcel was delivered by courier to the locksmith.

Inside were some instructions, a mobile with a phone number on the back and some pictures. Timothy walked out the back and rang the number as instructed.

Mick sorry for the cloak and dagger stuff but I suspect your shop is being watched and possibly your phone is tapped. When we are finished please follow the instructions re the phone.

Mick what can you tell me about the picture numbered #1?

It’s a safe, He said dryly.

Well at least we have established that.

Is it difficult to open?

Tim hesitated, Depends, he said.

Depends whether it’s you or me, he added.

Bring me the safe and I will open it for a price, This was followed by a chuckle as the safe was concreted into a wall.

Thanks Mick I will see if I can.

Who’s safe is it anyway?

Not sure Mick perhaps you don’t want to know anyway.

How much to open it?

"$1000.

Well I guess you will not be seeing it then.

Maybe I could do it for $500.

What about $300 down and 20% of the value inside.

You take it away?

Yehh

When?

Not sure see you.

Jim Taylor rang off. The less they know the better he said to himself.

In another part of town he called on Jacob. He was an art dealer he also had been in trouble with the law.

After some simple talk on the phone he faxed him a series of pictures.

Do you know this pic? Jim