Dick (18 page)

EPILOGUE

“WHO
is this guy again?” I asked as I carefully placed the jewelry Dick had set aside into a foam padded case.

“He was a hedge fund manager that took people’s money in 2007 and 2008, and was never convicted,” Dick said as he stuffed cash and other paperwork into a canvas bag.

“How much total?” I asked.

“How much are we taking, or how much did he swindle people for?”

“Both,” I said.

“Roughly $2,000,000 tonight.” He glanced at his watch. “And he fucked people out of almost $20,000,000, but got off scot-free. Come on, we’re down to two minutes.”

Even though we circumvented the alarm system, Dick didn’t like to be in a house for longer than five minutes. I didn’t disagree.

“I’ve got all the jewelry,” I said.

“Just about done,” he said.

I walked to the stairway and waited while he finished loading the contents of the safe. On the wall hung a picture of a boy, probably a senior picture from high school.

He looked eerily like Dick.

“How did you know exactly where the safe was?” I asked as I studied the photo.

“Truth or a lie?” he asked.

“Tell me a lie,” I said.

“Blind luck,” he responded.

“Dick,” I said.

“Yeah, Baby?”

“Are we robbing your parent’s house tonight?”

“We sure are, Baby.”

“Dick!”

“He’s one rotten motherfucker, Baby.”

“Okay, you’re the boss.”

He ran to my side, hoisted the bag over his shoulder, and looked down the stairs. “Ready?”

I nodded. “Always and forever.”

***

Dressed in shorts, hiking boots, and an orange tank top, I walked into the Lowe’s hardware store and to the
returns
counter. 

A pale tattooed girl with purple hair walked up the counter. “What can I help you with?”

“Can you tell me which department Raymond Gonzalez works in?”

Her mouth shot into a smile. “Ray? Yeah, he’s in electronics. You won’t be able to miss him.”

I turned around, paused, and glanced over my shoulder. “Why do you say that?”

“He’ll be the one telling someone a story. To whoever listens.”

I grinned at her response and walked along the main aisle toward the sign suspended from the ceiling that said
electronics
.

When I reached the sign, I turned to the right. A middle-aged Hispanic man stood twenty feet away telling two young employees a tale. I faked interest in a row of wall receptacles and waited for him to finish. After a few minutes, he excused himself from the conversation, explaining to the workers that he needed to help me.

“Is there something in particular you’re looking for?”

According to the paperwork Dick got in the robbery from his father’s home, Mr. Gonzalez lost his entire retirement – close to $400,000. Depending on how he would have invested it, it may have accrued another $150,000 in interest – or more – over the last 8 years.

His nametag said Ray. I asked anyway. “Raymond Gonzalez?”

He looked like any other middle-aged Hispanic man. He was tan, had black hair that was starting to turn gray, and inviting brown eyes. With a nod and a cheery smile, he responded. “I’m Ray.”

I glanced over each shoulder and after seeing no one, pulled the pack off my shoulders.

“I’m going to make this quick, and them I’m going to go.”

He returned a worried look. “Okay.”

“You lost roughly $400,000 in 2008? Your entire retirement plan?”

He nodded, and along with the acknowledgement, came a rush of emotion. Before I was able to say another word, he was overcome, and his lip began to quiver.

“I uhhm…I…Yeah. I…uhhm.”

“I’m sorry it happened to you, but it’s all gonna get better when you take this bag.” I glanced over my shoulders again. “There are two gold bars in it, and each one is worth roughly $500,000. It’s my gift to you.”

He looked like he wanted to trust me, but I fully understood his reluctance. “Who are you?”

I wanted to tell him about Dick, and how we robbed rich assholes and drug dealers and gave the money to people who we felt needed it. But. I knew I couldn’t, so I simply offered a shrug and the response that I had learned was best.

“Just some girl.” I said.

He unzipped the bag and peered inside. His eyes met mine and went wide.

I nodded and fought not to cry.

“I can take this?”

“You can.”

“You have no idea…” He paused, incapable of continuing.

A tear rolled down his cheek.

I waved and turned around.

As I walked to the parking lot, a tear escaped my eye.

I got in the car, turned toward Dick, and wiped the tears from my face. “You were right.”

“How so?”

“It feels so good,” I said. “And the look on his face? I just…”

“Good shit, huh?”

I nodded and fought against the tears. “I love you.”

“Love you, Baby.”

I shifted the car into reverse and paused for a moment. I knew my life would never be the same. I’d always be looking over my shoulder and living in a manner that wouldn’t allow me many true friends. I had Dick in my life, and I didn’t need anyone else. The risk was too high.

And I wasn’t in the risk taking business.

I was a criminal and an asshole.

And I was good at being both.