Burn the Devil

     Burn the devil

        One of my poker playing buddies, Larry, found me in a bar our poker group frequented. “I would like you to do something for me, well, my Grandmother”. He added “please don't act like this isn't something you don't know about. I have a general idea what you, Hank, and Ramon do for a living , and would like you to do something along those lines 

        We are a loose group of five that play poker. There is Hank, always a sharp dresser. Hank's specialty was stealing large amounts of cash, and/or easily fenced very valuable jewels. Ramon works with Hank, and me. He is our safecracker, and our fence for stolen property. The fourth is Richard. He is a lawyer, but we don't hold that against him. Luckily, we haven't had to use him for criminal charges. And last, there is me, Charlie.  In a time long gone, I would have been called a “Second Story” man.    

         Larry went on: “I would like you to steal a stamp collection. It belongs to a man who has been dating my grandmother. He is 70, she’s 60“. Larry stopped for a sip of his drink. He seemed very upset, and needed a small break to help him remain in control. He continued: “They have been dating for several years, and the gentleman, Stuart Rankin ,once talked about marriage. My grandmother was looking forward to marrying him, but lately he has started paying more attention to his stamp collection than my Grandmother. She does not need a rival

         He went on, "Apparently it is a very valuable stamp collection. My grandmother was very sure of that, because the guy always has her look at it with him when he got something new, and is constantly describing all the stamps, and their value. She hated the whole thing, but put up with it because she loved him” However, he is becoming more and more interested in the collection, and less and less interested in my grandmother. The request was to steal it, and find a way to destroy it. 

      Larry’s request was a bit different. I have never, um, “borrowed” on order, and I asked Larry about the destruction. He said “my grandmother feels she needs to redirect his attentions. “Well,” I said, I think it's something I can look at. I have to confer with a few people about how to do it, and the best possible course of action.  

        After a few days of thinking about the request, I asked Larry to set up a meeting with the two of us, and Elenor, his grandmother, for the next day. After exchanging hellos, I asked Elenor about the house, the layout, entrances and anything she thought might be helpful. She started talking and went on for half an hour, and was very descriptive. While she was describing it, I drew some pictures. Hank asked “Elenor, where is the collection kept?” Elenor said “the fool usually keeps it in the living room, on a small raised table where it can be viewed. He sometimes took the whole thing out of the house, and when he did, he did so in a leather, lockable, briefcase”.  

      She then told us “The stamp collection was actually two binders full of stamps, with an accompanying 3-ring notebook with certificates of authenticity”. We asked about alarms, cameras, dogs, neighbors, and if she knew of any times he was out of the house for an extended period. 

        She gave us his schedule, and address. “He always leaves his house by 9 am, and goes to his office.  At the end of the meeting, we asked if there was anything she could think of that we hadn't covered. Elenor replied, "he has an alarm, but he never sets it. Just in case, here is the code, along with her house key”.  She also mentioned that a cleaning crew comes on Mondays and Thursdays, and stays for about two hours. I asked her if she had anything in particular she wanted done with the collection. She  said, “that pile of crap has bedeviled me for many years now. Just burn the devil. Its causing me pain. I assured her that once I had certain details worked out, I would act.  I told her we would have her results in a week or less. She responded “just bring me the ashes.

     On Wednesday, after Mr Rankin left the house, I went inside.  As mentioned, the stamp collection was on the table. I looked for an alarm around the collection,, something to sound off if the collection was removed. Finding none, I dropped the three books in my backpack. But, things being what they are, I took a quick look around the house for valuables. Figured it might change the description of the theft from the stamp collection to valuables. I am happy to say, I found plenty. Men's jewelry, a few collectables, two paintings I was sure had value, gold, and cash in drawer. Didn't touch the nearby safe. I took the valuables to Ramon, and asked him to find buyers, and we agreed to our usual split.

        I looked thru the collection, using the Scott’s Catalogue, and the enclosed certificates of authenticity, and I realized it was a very, very valuable collection, too valuable to burn. So, I bought two similar binders, purchased the plastic sleeves the stamps go in, along with the backings they are mounted on. Bought a three-ring binder and similar paper to the certificates. USPS provided a bunch of stamps. I switched the valuable stamps into the new book, burned all the replacement material, but didn't burn the original covers. Put the ashes and both of the covers in a box, and made arrangements to visit Larry and Elenor. She was very pleased, and offered a large sum for my troubles. I explained to them how I had found a few items to use as compensation. 

     I didn't tell anyone about the switch, I had done exactly what had been asked for. Decided they  didn't have to know I was now the owner of the stamp collection. I do have plans to sell it over time, but have to wait at least 6 months or so, sell it in small parts, spread out over the country.