The guard lifted his walkie-talkie and informed his coworkers of Levi’s presence. He then used his badge and security code to unlock the back door.

Levi followed him to the back entrance, which was comprised of two wide steel doors that extended nearly to the ceiling. He waited for the guard to reclaim his position by the storage room. Then he pushed one of the exterior doors open a crack. He peered out to the left. Nothing. He switched doors, now scanning the driveway leading to the loading dock. A gray sedan occupied one of the four parking spaces beside the back door, a white coupe parked beside it.

Seeing both vehicles were unoccupied, he stepped outside, slowing long enough to snap a photo of the license plates with his cell phone.

He continued along the back wall until he reached the southwest corner of the building. Seeing the side wall was clear, he reversed course and proceeded to the other side of the building, finding nothing suspicious.

His gun at his side, he jogged to the front of the building. Again, nothing appeared out of place. He glanced through the glass doors of the entrance, able to see three guards congregated beside the main exhibit hall.

Trusting the guards to secure the interior, Levi moved into the parking lot and snapped photos of the dozen cars outside. Police sirens sounded, growing close enough to be heard over the wailing of the alarm.

Levi finished his task and pocketed his phone. Anticipating a potential confrontation with the local authorities, Levi holstered his weapon and retrieved his credentials from his pocket. He held his position by the main entrance, waiting calmly.

The first officer on scene climbed out of his car, immediately drawing his own weapon. “Hold it right there. Hands where I can see them.”

Levi lifted his arms, his credentials visible in his right hand. “Take it easy. I’m on your side. Levi Marin. Royal guard.”

While the first officer debated how to handle Levi’s announcement, a second police car raced into the parking lot.

Captain Guillermo Reyes exited his vehicle. “Put your weapon away. He’s one of us.”

“Thanks, Captain,” Levi said.

The young officer complied, holstering his weapon. “Sorry, sir.”

“No problem.” Levi waited for the two men to join him on the front walk. “I circled the perimeter and didn’t see any movement. They said a sensor alarm went off. The guards are checking it out.”

Guillermo rapped on the front door, and one of the guards approached to let them in. As soon as the door opened, the shrill ringing of alarms intensified.

“Status?” Guillermo asked.

“Nothing on the video feed, and we haven’t found any sign of tampering,” the guard said, raising his voice to be heard over the alarm. “Looks like a faulty sensor caused the problem.”

“Can we get the alarm turned—” The captain cut off when the ringing stopped. “Man, that thing is loud.”

“Do you have any other patrons still in the museum?” Levi asked.