Previous Challenge Entry (Level 2 – Intermediate)
Topic: Sneak (05/12/16)
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TITLE: Such a Vexatious Thing | Previous Challenge Entry
By Don Buschert
05/19/16 -
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“How was your Saturday morning jog?” asked Fiona.
“Great. I missed the snow.”
“Yeah, it’s coming down hard now,” said Fiona looking out the window.
“I stopped by the shop.”
“Is everything alright?”
“Yes, just had some paperwork,” Ray glanced out the window. “So much for doing yardwork today. I gotta go shower,” Ray kissed Fiona on the forehead.
“Yes you do.” Fiona lovingly pushed her husband away.
Ray bounded upstairs, into the master bedroom and locked himself in the ensuite. He stripped off his jogging attire, and pulled the bundle of bills out of a zippered pocket.
Ray thumbed slowly through the bills. He'd never held this much cash in his life; ten-thousand dollars in his sweaty palm. And back at the shop, locked away in the bottom drawer of the filing cabinet was more of these, totalling over two million dollars.
Ray climbed into the shower and let the hot water blast him in the face. Fiona didn't seem to catch on. So far. She was very intuitive and sharp; he'll need to work hard to hide this news from her.
Ray scrubbed with body wash. The scents invigorated him. Even so, this was one of the best days of his life. It was like winning the lottery. Imagine, if he put off jogging today, he would never have found that bag of money. Thanks to Sheba sniffing it out, she was the hero.
What could he do with all this money?
He could pay off their mortgage. They could travel. The kid's college tuitions? Paid for. They could invest it. Create some kind of legacy fund. Their kids would be set for life.
Thing is, Fiona ran the household books. He didn't have a clue how bills were paid, or how much was spent on groceries or anything. Fiona would catch on immediately to any sudden changes in their finances, even a simple meagre fifty-dollar deposit.
Ray was certain if Fiona ever found out he was holding on to this much cash, she'd call the police. She'd want that money returned. Ray climbed out of the shower and dried himself, carefully eyeing the bundle on the vanity. So he wouldn't tell her. Finders keepers, losers weepers, he told himself. The money was locked up at the shop. Someone could break in and steal it. So what, he wouldn't report it. The building could burn down for all he cared.
The bigger question on his mind, and one that was taking the excitement out of his lucky discovery; was who did this money belong to? Nobody leaves two-million dollars in a hockey bag under an abandoned shed. Was this a drug deal gone wrong? Somebody, somewhere would be out there looking for it. Good thing it's snowing; it would be difficult to track. Sheba got to it just in time.
And if the Mob was behind this, would they come looking for him? Shivers went up Ray's spine. Did someone see him? Did they follow him here, to his house? Would they come after his family? Even if he were to return it to the police, would he even be safe?
Or could he manage to hide it secretly? He certainly couldn't walk into a bank, nonchalantly depositing two million in cash, not without arousing immediate suspicion. He'll have to get a private safe box. A large one.
If he's going to keep this money, Fiona can't ever know.
This is one secret he'll have to live with alone; maybe even take to his grave. But how could he spend it? It would make no sense to have all this money, and never be able to enjoy it.
At worse, he could be caught by the Mob, maybe even one of his kids kidnapped – possibly murdered. Ray's heart raced at the thought. He couldn't live with himself if one of his own children were harmed on his account. Let them come after him, but leave his family alone. He needed to know who he might be up against.
Or what if he somehow got convicted and ended up in jail? Was it worth a jail term over two million dollars?
Maybe now would be a good time to go to church, Ray thought. Fiona had been pestering him, she and the kids started attending one. If there really was a God, could discovering this money be a sign?
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