Chapter 1

It wouldn't have happened to me if I hadn't gotten lost trying to short cut through the downtown alleys to get to the bar. I'd thought I could cut between the buildings and come out on Front Street just down from the Empty Nugget, a trendy sort of sports bar with a good clientele mix and great scenery ... meaning all the after-work secretaries, etc.

But it turned into a blind alley, which I couldn't tell from the street as the buildings overlapped at the back.

Anyway, I was going back to the street but still had a way to go and I saw someone run past the alley mouth and a paper bag bounced about 30 feet into the alley. I stopped and, just then, saw a Blue and White race past on the street, then a cop on foot run across.

That piqued my interest in what might be in the bag. I started to reach for it, then my brain engaged and I reached into my jacket pocket for my driving gloves and slipped them on quickly. opened the fairly full standard size grocery bag and gasped at the wads of bills in it, most of them banded, but about 1/3 loose. And about 6 or so quart-size plastic baggies with something white in them.

I quickly stuffed the bound money into my jacket and took a handful of the loose bills, straightened them quickly and shoved them in a pants pocket. I figured I had a minute at least ... but I didn't want to get caught by anyone who might be doubling back or following the action ... better to leave some of the cash, and all of the dope, of course. I quickly closed the bag back and dropped it where I found it.Then I slowly walked to the street entrance.

I peered around the corners, both ways, and saw with relief that no one was on the sidewalk and sparse car traffic. Then I crossed the street and went back to my car, careful to see if anyone was following. I couldn't see anyone but, just to be sure, I took the elevator to the level above my car, then the stairs back down to it. I was tempted in my excitement, to drive home right then but thought better of that, too. So I just popped the trunk and tossed the packs of bills in. Then moved my road kit to cover them, then took the opposite street side exit back out of the garage and walked the other way around the block to the bar.

Now I'm normally the kind of guy, if I say so myself, that would return found property, no matter who it was dropped it or what my financial state was but this was drug money, pure and simple, and I have quite a bit less compassion for the poor schmuck who tossed it, than I would for some Brinks guy dropping a money bag or a little old lady losing a diamond bracelet.

So, in this case, finders-keepers. And, if I lived through the next week, I figured I got it clean. But, obviously, there was some attraction to that risk as well.

I sat at the bar and looked around, evidently the woman I was supposed to meet there had gotten delayed so I ordered my usual Sam Adams draft and sat back to wait. There was a cute young brunette about three stools down who seemed to be waiting, as well. At least I assumed so, because she looked at her watch about every thirty seconds.

After I had drunk half my beer, she was still waiting and fidgeting. And her glass, I assumed wine, was empty. I called the barkeep over and motioned for him to set her up again and myself as well. She glanced over and started to protest, but I interrupted.

"Think nothing of it, I'm waiting for someone, too ... and I'll buy your boyfriend a round when he gets here just to keep things square."

Just then my cell rang and it was Julie.

"Brad, I'm sorry ... we got a last minute change in the contract and I'm going to be stuck here for at least another two hours, redoing it ... and it has to be ready tomorrow morning"

I mumbled my understanding words and she hung up with a promise of a rain check. I started to put the cell back in my pocket but, instead, slid it down to the girl.

"Well my date just cancelled, feel free to call yours, maybe you'll have better luck."

"Thanks, mister ... I broke my phone yesterday and haven't got it replaced yet."