"And the container was buried in my yard?"
"That is what we believe."
I tried to understand how Mark fit into any of this.
"Did he know Dean?"
"We think so. Mark's real name is Marcus."
The name meant nothing to me.
Detective Priya continued.
"Marcus and Dean grew up together. They were questioned after the robbery. Marcus claimed he had no involvement."
I gripped the edge of the table.
"So he moved next door because he knew the money was here?"
"Possibly. He may have spent years trying to determine the exact location."
A bitter laugh escaped me.
"He could have asked."
"He may have feared you would contact the police."
"He was right."
Detective Priya gave me a sad smile.
"Yes."
They found Mark that afternoon at a bus station. He had bought a ticket under another name and carried nearly $30,000 in cash.
I did not see him again until weeks later, when I attended a preliminary hearing.
