In the distance I saw a police car approaching. Quickly I slipped into the driver’s seat of the VW Golf, shattered rear shelf remnants poking at my back. Heart pounding, I grabbed a handful of candies, hoping my impromptu candy feast would throw off suspicion. “Just a guy enjoying a snack,” I thought, praying the police wouldn’t dig deeper.

Rookie Officer Daniels and I rolled through the quiet streets, and his eyes widened at the sight of a small European car with a shattered rear shelf. “Should we check it out?” he asked nervously. Glancing at the driver indulging in candies, I chuckled, “Nah, just some late-night snackin’. Welcome to the quirks of the job, Daniels.” Oblivious to the potential connection to recent car burglaries, we continued our patrol.

Finally alone in the car, I eyed the wallet I had found in the glovebox with a mix of temptation and paranoia. “Easy money, or avoid the risk?” I muttered to myself. The dilemma weighed on me as I calculated the consequences. Taking it could mean a fatter wallet but also a certain police report. I hesitated, torn between greed and the fear of drawing unwanted attention to my nocturnal activities.