A Twenty-Dollar Bill Dropped Into the Dust Beside a Tennessee Highway

I worked the bent wire into the narrow keyhole under the brass handle.

I pushed up on the first brass pin until I felt a faint click against my thumb.

The second tumbler caught on the third twist of my wrist.

The lock gave with a metallic snap.

The bottom drawer slid out six inches on its runners with a sharp scrape.

Inside was a black plastic document box with a thick yellow rubber band around the middle.

I lifted out the box, set it on the desk, and pulled off the yellow band.