The art world in a state of commotion after confirmed fifth theft

Van Gogh, Monet, Pizzirani, Schiele and Klimt, apart from being renowned artists, now have something else in common: all have had one of their paintings stolen by the mysterious A. L., a lover of fine arts who's been roaming all over Europe to get their hands on very specific pieces. Permanent and temporary exhibits everywhere would do well to up their security until police figure out how to stop them from snatching any more works of art.

No one knows when or where they'll strike again, but there are no indications this A. L. will quit anytime soon. Could this be Lupin's way of reminding us that he hasn't been caught yet? The signature fits. Although the use of playing cards is not as original as we'd expect from the sophisticated crook, the question of A. L.'s identity remains.

♠

Jungkook was thankful Jimin had opted to leave Namjoon out of the picture. There was no point framing the author for being in the wrong places at the wrong times. The detective figured people would speculate that A.L. was non other than Arsène Lupin, but a mere signature on a deck of cards was simply not enough evidence to prove the robber's identity.

Despite his Robin Hood disposition, Jungkook was almost grateful for them providing Taehyung an alibi. Indeed, as long as his fiance was seen and pictured in London, he couldn't be accused of offences perpetrated abroad.

He and Taehyung waited until the bestselling writer returned from his tour in order to set a date for their engagement party. Namjoon, who'd lost some weight and had grown a few wrinkles, was happy to RSVP, asking if he could bring a plus one (of course he could).

Ashleigh, who had finally finished whatever business she was conducting on the continent, shed a few tears of joy at the news and immediately offered to take care of the preparations. "I promise to make it very romantic! But I also want it to be a surprise, so please, stay away from the mansion until then," she warned.

Taehyung, who had practically moved in with Jungkook (he slept better with Tae around), didn't have any objections apart from the necessity to access his workshop.

"Whatever for?" his sister asked.

"A gift for my fiance that I must build."

Ash had reluctantly allowed her brother to work on his 'gift' on the condition he avoided the banquet hall and any room likely to be used by guests.

In the meantime, Jungkook met with Jimin to discuss the disturbing fact that A. L. had not been active since the writer's return to London. "What if they quit? What if they never commit another robbery? We might have lost these paintings forever!"

"Calm down, Jimin. They know they can't open a museum of purloined artworks, so I bet they're waiting until the news cycle shifts its focus away from them before looking for potential buyers. We just need to pay extra attention to the underground art market."

"What if they don't want to sell?"

"A possibility that would mean the paintings are sitting somewhere in storage. But tell me, Jimin, what's the point of stealing art if you're going to keep it hidden?"

"I guess we'll just have to be patient. By the way," the reporter pulled a cart from his inside pocket before adding, "thank you for inviting me to your engagement party. I'm honoured you think of me as a friend worthy of sharing this moment with-, wait. What's that face you're making?"

Jungkook was shocked to learn that Ashleigh had sent out invitations without consulting them. A few calls later and he found himself trying the process the number one hundred, which was roughly the total of guests who had RSVP'd. Not to mention the dozen reporters scheduled to be there as well, ready to turn this event into pricey special editions.

So much for 'nothing big nor fancy'.

♠

As far as the romantic vibe was concerned, Ashleigh delivered brilliantly. It was a pleasantly mild September afternoon, with just enough of a breeze to allow the wind chimes hanging in the nearby trees to perform an impromptu concert. A maze of white and mauve veils undulating about encouraged the guests to play a game of hide and seek throughout the castle's ground floor, as long as everyone gathered by six o'clock inside the banquet hall where the betrothed would say a few words and exchange gifts.

When the evening settled in, the attendees all sat at the longest table Jungkook had ever seen in his life. He still couldn't wrap his head around the number of visitors this place could entertain at once and suddenly feared his present to be too modest for someone used to such extravagance. The box was small indeed, but Taehyung received it with a radiant grin, opening it to reveal, "a key to my place which, in fact, has been our place for the past few weeks, ever since we got back from Europe, really".

Taehyung jumped into arms and squeezed hard before whispering, "Lizbeth already gave me one."

"What?" Jungkook peered at his housekeeper who was presently hiding behind a very big handkerchief. Facing his fiance once again, he explained. "It's more about the gesture. The key is symbolic. I'm inviting you to make Baker Street your home."

"And I gladly will," replied the other with unfeigned glee. It was now his turn to present Jungkook with a —

"Backpack?"

"A pair of wings," Taehyung corrected, "for someone who doesn't remember he used to be an angel in a past life."

The line was a little cringeworthy but Jungkook wouldn't have had it any other way, he thought as he shyly kissed his man in front of the cooing assembly.

Somebody called for a toast and all the guests raised their glass in honour of the couple whom all wished a lifetime of happiness together because frankly, they deserved it.

The live band hired for the occasion began playing and everyone was more than ready to turn their attention to the feast presently being served. Claude was beaming at the challenge to put his skills as majordome to the test. "It's good to see you happy, my lord," he uttered as he was pouring mousseux in the tall stemware by their plates.

"Thank you, Claude. I truly am."

Staring at his man, looking as dashing as ever in a raspberry wine suit while he donned a sage green outfit, Taehyung came to terms with the realization that he'd blissfully devote his life to making Jungkook's own existence as buoyant as the content of his champagne flute.

By the time bellies were full, the band had relocated to the ballroom where many gathered to watch the couple have their first dance. They did so most gracefully and were soon joined by several guests who turned the room into a joyous twirling farandole.

Lost in the warmth of their mutual embrace, the two would have likely swayed until dawn, were it not for the interruption of Jin (Namjoon's plus one) who appeared as distraught as the night his voice had failed him. "Forgive me for ruining this moment, but I've been looking everywhere for Joon and I can't find him. Please help me."

That's when the couple realized they'd been dancing for hours. Dusk had fallen and the crowd of guests had already thinned.

Namjoon was not the kind to pass out from too much alcohol consumption. He knew his limit and would make sure to stay within. He did love to take walks and would sometimes wander off, but Jin assured them he'd just spent over forty minutes outside, scouring the park and yelling his name, to no avail.

There was no hesitation in Taehyung's step as he headed toward the staircase leading to the upper floors, searching the rooms one by one until he reached the library which was locked for some odd reason. After banging on the door a few times, they heard a knock back. "In here! Open up!"

Evidently, Namjoon was stuck inside. "Joon, it's me, Jin! We're looking for Claude who has a master key. We'll get you out!"

"Thank you, but — please, keep the guests and the press away."

The request could have been amusing, were it not for the distress in the author's voice. "No one must come in, it's important," he begged again.

"Joonie, what's wrong? Are you alright? Are you alone in there?"

"I'm fine, but there is someone else—"

The admission had the Kantanto clutching his invisible pearls. "Who?"

"Please, let Taehyung handle this. It's — a family matter."

Claude had arrived to unlock the door and when he did, the strong draught that gushed out took everyone by surprise. The library windows were wide open. Standing in front of the balustrade, dress billowing in the evening air, Ashleigh was crying in silence, paying no mind to the smudges under her eyes.

But she was not the only one calling for attention. Displayed on wooden easels sitting around the room, the missing paintings glowed in the dim light.

Jungkook swiftly closed the door behind him before assessing his heart rate which gave away the state of panic he was in. He could already picture the morning headlines. Stolen artworks found in Kim Taehyung's residence. No matter how he looked at it, nothing good would come out of the sticky mess they had fallen into by simply walking through the library door.

Taehyung, on the other hand, appeared very much in control of his emotions, except for his eyes, brimming with something akin to sadness. "Ash, why?"

"It worked for you, didn't it?" she retorted bitterly.

"But sis, Joon's heart was never up for grabs."

She shook her head, unbothered by her hairdo turning pitiful as she did so. "Joon loves art! And I'm the only one who can give it to him!"

"I do love art, but I cannot enjoy like this," Namjoon insisted. "Ash, you know I always thought of you as my little sister. Please, I beg of you. Return these before Taehyung gets in trouble."

Jungkook now understood what he had to do. "Taehyung, forgive me, but I must arrest her."

Something must have snapped inside Ashleigh who started laughing hysterically. "For that, you'd have to catch me first!"

And without warning, she jumped out of the window.

Jungkook held his breath, waiting for the scream that never came. Instead, the frantic cackle spread through the gardens like the wings of the portable glider she rode into the darkness.

Unperturbed by the turn of events, Taehyung kissed the shocked face of his beloved with a smirk on his lips. "Jungkookie, now would be a good time to try those wings I gave you."

"Oh. Yes. The wings. Right."

Before letting him go, the man added with a wink, "remember, I'm not helping you catch my sister. I'm just teaching you how to fly."

Marrying into a family of crooks sure called for a lot of getting used to on Jungkook's part. Still, as he kissed Taehyung one more time for good measure (and also because flying really wasn't his thing but he didn't have a choice now, did he?), the detective thought how his life would never lack excitement and thrills. And for that alone, the efforts required to push past his limits were worth it.

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