Chapter 21

Summary

• In a Brussels museum, a character named Breitwieser notices a sign saying "OBJECTS REMOVED FOR STUDY" in a display case. He assumes some items have been stolen, but then realizes it is a museum procedure. This observation sparks a plan to steal some artwork.
• A few rooms later, Breitwieser comes across a display case of 16th-century German silverworks that he admires, including a large silver warship that's the centerpiece of the exhibit. Despite his excitement, he realizes the display is watched by a camera and secured with a modern, unpickable lock.
• Using knowledge from a stint working at a hardware store chain, Breitwieser determines the lock has been poorly installed. Using his Swiss Army knife, he easily removes the lock and gains access to the display.
• Opting for smaller items that are easier to hide and transport, Breitwieser and his companion, Anne-Catherine, steal two nautilus chalices and a coconut tankard, placing them in Anne-Catherine's purse and under Breitwieser's jacket.
• Outside the museum, they realize they have left behind the lid of the coconut tankard. They venture back into the museum under the pretense of having lost an earring, retrieving the lid and stealing two more goblets in the process.
• After a two-week hiatus and slight alterations to their appearances, the duo return to the museum for a second heist. Using the "OBJECTS REMOVED FOR STUDY" sign as cover again, they steal the coveted silver warship and a large chalice. When questioned about their tickets by a guard, they lie and say they are heading to the museum café for lunch to defuse suspicion.
• Renting a room at a budget hotel, they place their stolen goods on the bedside table. They pay in cash whenever possible to remain untraceable and make routine calls to Breitwieser's mother to alleviate any worries. Breitwieser's evening routine includes calling his mother, eating a cheap dinner and watching a movie.
• The pair return to the museum for a third time, again altering their appearances slightly for disguise. They steal more silver, making their total eleven items from the same museum within three weeks.
• In the euphoria of their successful thefts, Breitwieser also steals a valued urn from an antiques shop during their drive back to France. The dealer is yet unaware the urn is missing when Anne-Catherine calls asking about its price.