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Shortly before two, Pinky hiked to Buckingham Fountain from his yacht.
He saw the glorious fountain before he could hear it—the sounds of Lake Shore Drive traffic, a wailing fire engine, and a roaring motorcycle filled his ears. But as he drew closer the thundering water drowned everything else out.
The rays of sun lighting up the streams of water, the cold wind spray hitting his face, and the picturesque Chicago skyline backdrop mesmerized him.
“You got the cash?” a voice asked from behind him.
Pinky spun around to face a clean-shaven man, wearing a blue Cubs cap, and matching windbreaker.
Only the cauliflower ear gave away his identity.
Pinky raised the duffel bag in response, then asked Benny, “You got the diamonds?”
Benny tapped a bulge in his right jeans pocket. “Right here,” he said.
Pinky noticed a black drawstring peeking out of Benny’s pocket.
“Gimme the cash, and I’ll give you the diamonds,” Benny insisted.
“Funny,” Pinky said. “You think I’m gonna trust you?”
“So, how’re we gonna do this?” Benny asked.
Pinky instinctively thought of a solution—and the perfect opportunity. “We’ll do the exchange at the same time. You grab this handle while I hold the bag. I’ll grab that drawstring poking out of your pocket while you hold your hand over it. When I count to three, we both let go—you take the bag while I pull the diamonds out of your pocket. How’s that sound?”
“I’m good with that,” Benny said.
They pulled off the exchange as agreed with one exception. When Pinky slipped the diamonds from Benny’s pocket, he also made a deposit.