Stuart J. Peddington stood stiffly. His breath shallow and quick. He would do what had been requested of him and they would be forced to leave him alone.

One simple task in trade for his livelihood. No more blackmail to hang over his head. No more threats of exposure from that small time mobster, Hoode. No one would ever need to know of his indiscretion. One minor incident of
embezzlement does not a criminal make.

He eyed the deserted train stop, then turned his attention to the briefcase. If not for the pounding in his ears, he’d swear he could hear it ticking. He was not privy to the details of his mission, and did not care. He just wanted out.

At last the 9:15 arrived and he took what felt like a breath of freedom. Only one minute to make a safe getaway.

The shoe shine man lugged his kit out into the open as Stuart boarded. Poor bloke.

A great whoosh and a shout sounded as the train began to move.

"Sir! Charles said you left this behind." The porter thrust the case into his numb hands.

The shoe shine man’s cheery wave and grinning face was Stuart’s last sight.

© 2002 Ali Seay

Ali Seay, author of the flash fiction story "Two Birds" appears again in Mocha Memoirs! Seay has been published well over seventy times and was a 2001 Derringer nominee for best flash fiction mystery.