Conversation

Inspector: Someone stole a painting from the museum last night. What do you think happened?

Detective: The thief [θi:f] must have entered through the back door. It was unlocked [ʌn'lɑkt] this morning.

I: Could a guard [gɑrd] have left it open?

D: The guard says he locked it. He can't have forgotten - he's very experienced. Someone must have had a key.

I: What about the security ['sɪkjʊrəti] cameras?

D: They were turned off. The thief must have known the alarm [ə'lɑrm] code. It might have been an inside job [ɪn'saɪd dʒɑb].

I: Should we have had more guards?

D: We should have updated the security system months ago. I told the director, but he said it was too expensive. He shouldn't have ignored my warning ['wɔrnɪŋ].

I: The painting may have been taken out of the country already.

D: That's possible. We should have closed the borders ['bɔrdərz] immediately. But I think the thief might still have it somewhere in the city.