Need to Know by Michael Stackpole

Grey hood, brown clothes, white trim, kind of Robin Hood. Used a staff, flash grenade and smoke bomb. What else did you see?” Grant forced himself to frown, giving him time to edit information for his friend. He didn’t like lying to Hardin, but he had no choice. “He’s maybe as tall as me, same build. There was fog in the vault when it opened.” “What did it smell like?” Grant cocked his head. “The vapor, I didn’t get any smell. The smoke bomb, that was chemical-smelling. No sulphur, no rotten eggs. I didn’t hear much after the flash grenade blinded me. Just grunts. I guess he attacked with the stick.” “That is what the reports said.” “Any idea who he is?” Hardin shook his head slowly. “He does not match anyone I have read about. I have some ideas. No one saw signs of tunneling in the vault, so maybe he can teleport.” “Like on Star Trek?” “Yes.” “But he dressed from the past.” “It is just an idea. Now, if my father finds other signs of entry—the time lock is keeping the vault closed until Monday—then maybe he was a thief who interrupted the other thieves.” “I don’t know about that.” Grant shrugged. “If I was a thief, I’d not break into the vault during the day, when it could be opened. I’d have waited until the bank closed and had all Sunday to rob the vault. If I’d heard the sound of the vault being opened, I’d have taken off.” “Agreed, but we cannot rule that out.” Hardin nodded. “Another option is that we have a brand new hero here, honing his skills, before moving to Capita