My Son’s Warning at the Airport Changed Everything

inside was different. Smoke mixed with cologne and something metallic.

The painting that hid the safe was gone, burned to nothing.

The safe stood exposed.

I punched in Quasi’s birthday.

Beep.

Green light.

The door swung open.

Inside were stacks of cash, rubber-banded and careless. Passports. A cheap burner phone. A slim black notebook.

“Take everything,” continue reading …