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"I'rabbed a handful of cash and a deposit slip, as well as several rolls of change She stuffed the that was used for the deposit

"I better go," I said and picked up the deposit bag "See you on Saturday"

"Are you going to lasses

"Always," I said, but it was a bald-faced lie I stopped going to mass years earlier

"Good boy," she said and blew me a kiss Then she turned back to the co in hand

I drove the few blocks to the bank and parked across the street, then picked up the bank deposit bag Although it was rush hour, the bank was on a quiet side street a few blocks off Boylston Barely any cars drove by as I stood on the street corner, waiting for the light to change Then a white van drove up and screeched to a halt outside the bank A man jumped out, assault weapon in hand When he entered the bank, he pulled a balaclava over his head Another ot out and stood sentry at the door, his face uncovered He was dressed in a generic security guard uniforrey, and held a hand on the weapon on his utility belt, at the ready in case anyone confronted him He'd try to look as inconspicuous as possible, but would discourage any potential bank customer from entry I knew the drill A driver re, at the ready for the getaway

I thought I'd putand the skills I’d developed in special operations behind me, but at that moment, I realized they'd co as about to go down, I tossed the deposit back into the car on the floor, then took out my phone and dialed 911

"What's your eency?"

"You got a 10-60 in progress," I said, using the code for a bank robbery "First National off Boylston One ar One aruard outfit is outside A driver in a white van is parked in front of the bank in the getaway vehicle"

"Are you a cop?" the operator asked, sounding surprised that I seemed so calm

"No, former Marine," I replied I was used to this kind of situation frohanistan and Iraq

"Please do not intervene," the operator said, her voice firm "Civilians should remain away fro dispatched"

"Ten-four," I said and hung up before she could take nored her order to stand down, deterood I was licensed to carry a concealed weapon, and had both tactical training and special operations training I was going to see what I could do to stop this thing, or at least disable their ability to escape the scene I crossed the street against the light, dodging the few cars that drove down the street I casually walked up beside the van and when the wide-eyed driver saw me, he opened his mouth and his body stiffened, but I hit hi him out cold Then, I reached in over top of hi the keys and the weapon on the seat beside him with me

I ducked down, peering over the hood to see if the sentry sahat happened He was busy glancing the other direction, so it was my time to act I checked inside to see if there were any others, and saw that the van was empty Then, I walked to the bank's entrance, a sht I was just a custo, he stood at attention like he was a real guard

"Bank's closed," he said, jerking his thu in to do my business