The Diamond of Æthal Inspired by “Cow Chase”

by Alisha A.

I walked into the bank, an innocent look on my face. This was perfect. Nobody would ever suspect the 21 year old Lizzie Matthews- my cover name for the mission. I loved cover names. Pretending to be a completely made up character, choosing your personality……it reminded me of playing with my friends when I was a child. I scanned the area, noticing Erin leaning against the wall. She gave me a subtle nod. The signal to proceed with the plan. I put on my best fake smile and walked up to the woman signing checks behind the counter. She looked up at me through her glasses,

“May I help you ma’am?” she asked in a high pitched voice.

I smiled, “Oh, I was just wondering about those checks that you’re signing. Who are they for?” 

The woman sat up a bit straighter, looking at me intently, “These are for the government” she said. I nodded, pretending to look interested,

“For the government? Wow, that must be a hard job,” I say. 

The woman grinned, “Actually, it’s pretty easy. All you have to do is…” I had stopped paying attention, noticing Erin slip into the room behind the woman quietly.

I nodded and smiled at the woman, a little tired of her rambling on and on about her job and whatnot. Just then, a man ran out of the back room, screaming,“Thief! Get her!” he shouted. 

I saw Erin running through the hall. Before I knew it, she had grabbed my arm, pulling me along with her. “Come on!” she said. I ran along with her, getting into the car. I turned it on, and started driving as fast as I could. Sirens blared not far behind me. I made a sharp turn, suddenly halting to a stop. Were those…cows? On the road!? I looked behind me, noticing the cops were still on my tail. 

“Drive faster!” Erin told me from the back, hugging the bag to her chest. 

“I’m going as fast as I can, it’s not my fault these cows won’t move!” I said, honking once more at the black cows on the road. They looked at me with wide eyes, not knowing the gravity of our situation. One mooed at me, munching on a few blades of grass. I could feel the police’s headlights shining on us as we drove, the bag safely in the back with Erin. 

Just then, the slam of a car door was heard and someone shouted, “Hey you! Get out of the car and put your hands up” 

I looked at Erin, “Hide the bag!” I said. She nodded and opened the seat, stuffing the bag inside. 

An officer popped up in the car window, a man in his early thirties with a gruff voice. “I thought I said to get out, we need to search this car” he said. I smiled innocently.
“Us? Oh, we’re just on our way to our dear grandmother’s funeral,” I said. Erin pretended to sob, “She was amazing…..always singing and laughing until the end.” She started to cry. A little over the top, but I went along with it and patted her shoulder.

“There, there, she’s in heaven now.” The officer watched us with raised eyebrows before sighing and mumbling. “I suppose this is the wrong car,” he said before walking away. Erin and I grinned at each other and drove away. We had done it, we had taken the diamond of Æthal.

About the Author

Alisha A is a 12 year old girl from Folsom, California, who has self-published a few short stories. She enjoys reading and playing music.