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I wander past the shelves,from table to table Most people never really observe their surroundings; ask anyone what the person sitting nearby earing, and chances are good that they can’t tell you But I can I can recite to you the outfits and demeanor of every person in that coffee line, can tell you exactly howat each table, the precise way someone’s shoulders hunch just a little tooside by side who never say a word, the guy who is careful not to make eye contact with anyone else I can take in a scene like a photographer ht take in a landscape--relax my eyes, analyze the full view all at once, search for the point of interest, and take a

I look for the break in the pattern, the nail that protrudes

My gaze pauses on a cluster of four boys reading on the couches I watch thens of conversation or the hint of notes being passed by hand or phone Nothing My attention goes to the stairs leading to the second floor No doubt other hunters are closing in on this target, too--I have to get to him before anyone else does My steps quicken as I head up

No one is here, or so it seems But then I notice the faint sound of two voices at a table in a far corner, tucked behind a pair of bookshelves that make them almost impossible to see from the stairs I h the shelves

A woman is seated at the table, her nose buried in a book Ahis feet I hold up h, both of them are set to Private

I slip to the side of the wall so that they can’t see ht," the

"Sorry," the woman replies "But there’s not much I can do My boss won’t release that kind ofextra security measures, not when the police have an arrest warrant for you"

"You promised me"

"And I’m sorry, sir" The woman’s voice is calm and cynical, like she’s had to say this countless tih alert"

"I have three hundred thousand notes with you Do you have any idea what that’s exchanging for?"

"Yes It’s my job to know," the woman answers in the driest voice I’ve ever heard

Three hundred thousand notes That’s about two hundred thousand dollars, at the current exchange rate High roller, this one Gaal in the United States; it’s one of the overnment has recently passed in a desperate attey and cybercria--you can either take those notes online or to a physical place, where you meet a teller like this lady You trade your notes to her She gives you real cash in return, while taking a cut for her boss

"It’snow

"We have to protect ourselves Extra security ht, and we can exchange half of your notes"

"I told you, I don’t have until toht I need to leave the city"

The conversation repeats itself all over again I hold my breath as I listen The woman has all but confirmed his identity

My eyes narrow, and ht here, is thea hunt--when the bits and pieces I’ve exposed converge into a fine point, when I seeWhen I’ve solved the puzzle

Got you

As their conversation turns e to the police

Suspect in physical custody