I saw the real fear on his young face.

I had no wish to cost a hardworking college kid his job.

“I’ll leave the check in the mailbox,” I said.

At three in the afternoon, a silver luxury sedan had my car boxed in on the crushed gravel driveway.

Its powerful engine was still running, humming loudly in the quiet neighborhood.

A man in a closely tailored suit got out of the driver’s side and checked his gold watch.

I knew George Mitchell from the short engagement announcement dinner.