Hey, it's me, the narrator checking in to prove I'm still alive. As you can imagine, I spend a lot of time alone on the run, like almost entirely. And what do I do with my time? Well, the same as you. I daydream, I research, and I listen to podcasts. While I can't share my research just yet and I wouldn't ever share my daydreaming,

I am willing to share what I'm listening to. There's a new true crime show that I am loving

and I think you'll love to. It's called a Most Audacious Heist. A Most Audacious Heist is

a gripping true crime story filled with ambition, risk, and obsession as it follows the exploits of a 19th century

empress and a 20th century thief. Their fates are intertwined by the same dazzling treasure,

a perfect cluster of diamonds known as the Cece star. On one hand, we have Empress Elizabeth of

Austria who loves her jewels and uses them to defy rules and carve out her own legacy

of beauty and power. And on the other hand, we have the petty crook, Daniel Blanchard. The episode

we have for you today is the first in the series, and it's hosted by Saren Jones from the award-winning

podcast, Black and Blue. In this episode, Daniel Blanchard sees the crown jewel as a tourist and becomes enamored by it.

This is the challenge she's been waiting for.

He can cox a plan to steal it in a daring, high-stakes nighttime parachute jump.

He knows that if he can get his hands on the star, he will finally be launched into the criminal big leagues.

Of course, his exploits unleash an international manhunt as determined police attempt to track Daniel

down.

Somehow, each time he manages to elude them.

But how long can the CC star stay lucky for Daniel?

Listen and find out, and then search for a most audacious heist wherever you're listening

right now.

Good luck.

It's June 1998, long past midnight.

And we're in the air, about a mile above Vienna, the Austrian capital.

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