It was arranged that the two men meet in one of the city’s less frequented cafes.
They both lived and worked in the city and were in their thirties. They had originally met, quite by chance, in a public library. They were both perusing book titles in the Unsolved Crimes section. They had become friends and occasionally caught up. Apart from them getting along, their backgrounds could not be more different. On the occasion of this café meeting, the inviter was a man with a shadowy past. His friend knew that he had worked for some government department, but was always reticent to talk about it. There always seemed to be something covert about him. On the other hand, the invitee, was an open book. He would think nothing of talking about his past in a frank and overt manner.
On the day they caught up, Covert was already there. He had secured a booth at the far end of the room. He rose and greeted his friend and they both sat down. After a brief update on how they were each doing, coffees were ordered. It wasn’t until the drinks had been delivered that Covert explained why he had asked the other to meet.
“I have an extraordinary favour to ask,” he said, dipping his hand in his pocket. He brought out a clenched fist. “It’s quite simple, really, but it does have a few caveats,” he said, smiling. He put his fist down on the table. “Open your palm,” he said with another smile.
Overt obliged and something small dropped into his hand. He was staring at it when the other closed his fingers over it, hiding it from sight. He looked up, confused. “Presumably, you’re going to tell me what I’m going to do with this?”
“Yes, I am.” Covert chuckled. “I’m relying on you.” He became serious and looked around. “For now, I want you to put it in your pocket.”
The other obliged.
“As I said, it’s a simple request, but an important one. I’d like you to take it home with you and secrete it somewhere in your house. In a place known only by you. At some future date, I will ask you to return it.” He sat back, studying his friend before going on. “As for the rules, you tell no one about it, not even your good lady.” He grimaced. “I know it’s a lot to ask, but it is vital that this remain strictly between us.”
The other shrugged. “My home, you say?”
‘Yes.”
“That’s important, why?”
“Because no one will look for it there.”
“This is not a joke, is it? You are serious about this.”
“Absolutely.”
Shortly after, they left.
This is all that is known about the day the two men met in one of the city’s less frequented cafes.