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ten-year-old Chevy Malibu with a driver’s-side quarter panel that didn’t quite match the rest of the car. He pulled up in front of a neighborhood ice cream parlor called Whip ’n Dip. Jeffrey climbed into the passenger seat with his breakfast in hand.
    â€œYou’re eating a banana split at ten o’clock in the morning?”
    â€œIt’s got milk, bananas, and nuts. It’s practically health food.”
    Ruban drove east along the tree-lined and “historic” Sunset Drive. Jeffrey navigated while eating. A long string of weekend cyclists crossed the road ahead of them. They were in High Pines, a quiet neighborhood of sixties-vintage ranch-style houses, most of which had been updated by upper-middle-class families with young children. It was where Jeffrey’s friend lived, “Sully the Jeweler,” a wholesaler who normally sold only to dealers, though he did some business on the side for customers who met his minimumpurchase requirement and paid in cash. Today was Savannah’s birthday. Ruban had dug up a single pack of vacuum-sealed fifty-dollar bills to cover it.
    â€œWhat are you going to get her?” asked Jeffrey.
    â€œSomething nice. We’ll see what your friend is selling.”
    â€œIs this a total surprise? Or did you tell her about the money?”
    â€œIt’s a surprise. But, yeah, I told her.” He left out the biggest part of the lie, that he’d led her to believe that Jeffrey and his uncle had pulled off the heist alone.
    â€œShe’s okay with it?”
    â€œShe will be.”
    â€œSavannah hasn’t said a word to me about it.”
    â€œI told her not to. I don’t want anyone talking about it, so it’s best you not say anything to her, either.”
    Especially anything about me.
    They were driving past an old, abandoned cemetery, four acres of pine trees and greenery that made this quiet neighborhood even quieter. Jeffrey scooped a mouthful of gooey chocolate sauce from the plastic dish. “You should get her a wristwatch. Sully is the go-to guy for Rolex.”
    â€œThat could work.”
    â€œHe gives good prices. I bought one.”
    Ruban cut a sharp glance from the driver’s side. “You bought a Rolex? Shit, Jeffrey. I told you not to spend any money.”
    â€œBro, you’re spending money.”
    â€œIt’s Savannah’s birthday.”
    â€œI bought one Rolex. That makes us even.”
    Ruban breathed out his anger. “Fine. One watch. But that’s it. Don’t spread the money around yet. It’s too soon.”
    â€œNo worries, bro. No worries.”
    They parked in the gravel driveway beneath the shade of an enormous royal poinciana tree and walked to the front door. Jeffrey tossed his empty dish into the bushes, wiped his hands on his shirt, and knocked firmly. No answer. He dialed Sully on his cell,got no answer, and dialed again. Still no luck. A minute later, a six-foot-six mulatto shuffled to door, half-asleep, wearing only boxer shorts. He had an athletic build, and the way he scratched himself made Ruban guess baseball.
    â€œDid I wake you up?” asked Jeffrey.
    â€œNo,” he said, scratching yet again. “Some asshole kept ringing my cell.”
    â€œWhat a coincidence,” said Jeffrey, choosing not to fess up. Instead, he made quick introductions, and they entered the living room. “Ruban wants to buy a Rolex for his wife. My sister.”
    Sully looked at Ruban, who was enough of a Latin heartthrob to have one pretty wife, and then his gaze drifted to Jeffrey, who didn’t exactly convey the impression that good looks ran in the family. The expression on Sully’s face was typical, and Jeffrey handled it as usual.
    â€œSavannah got all the looks,” said Jeffrey.
    â€œI would have never guessed,” he said dryly. Sully went to the closet in the hallway. He returned with a metal strong box, which he opened with a key.