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Picking up flyers from the print shop, taking the deposit to the bank, grocery shopping... Pick up flyers, take deposit to the bank, grocery shopping... Richard ran over the list of tasks he had to complete, mentally marking each one with their location and how likely they were to have complications. Grocery shopping was definitely last, because that would involve buying perishables. He was pretty sure they'd be okay in the car while he ran inside to the print shop and bank, but that wasn't something he really wanted to chance. If there was a long line in either of the other places, he was going to risk something, even though it was cold outside.

He whistled as he walked down the icy sidewalk, only slightly off key every now and again. Richard must have hit an icy patch, however, because one foot suddenly skidded to the side and he looked down out of reflex. That made him see the dark square in the snow next to him. Eyebrows raising, Richard paused in his walk and jaunty whistling to lean over and pick it up, to confirm that it was what he thought it was.

Flipping it open, it was what he thought it was. Oh, this looked important.

...Very, very important.

Too bad there wasn't an ID or any kind of card with phone numbers on it that Richard could see. He frowned, turning it over back and forth as he searched. All he could find was a piece of raggedy paper with a shopping list on it and a bunch of bills. His eyebrows went up again as a quick count put it at least two-hundred dollars. He fervently flipped back through the wallet, trying to find some sort of identifying information. Someone would be missing this money, for sure, especially since this looked like a gift list that had been written down. Only half the items were crossed off.

He bit his lower lip, thinking it over. The fact that no one would have any way of knowing if he took the money did occur to him. He was only human, after all. That gave him pause, and he couldn't help the furtive look to either side to see if anyone was watching.

They weren't.

If he wanted, that money could be his.

He chewed on his lower lip this time.

All his.

He started walking, already having a destination in mind as he tucked the money and the paper associated with it back into the wallet. Richard put the wallet in his pocket, put his eyes straight ahead, and kept walking. It was a bit of distance to his destination, but nothing undoable. About twenty conflicted minutes later, he arrived. He pushed the door open, pausing to look around and figure out where he should go. Then he saw someone seated behind a counter with a phone and decided he should ask them.

"Excuse me?"

They looked up and blinked at him behind big-rimmed glasses. "Yes? How may I help you?"

Richard put the wallet on the counter and pushed it forward. "I found this in the snow down the street a bit, and someone might be missing it. There aren't any cards or ID or anything, though." The officer behind the desk took the wallet, flipped it open, and let out a low whistle at the stack of money.

"You just found this in the snow?"

"Yeah, lying on the ground, all by itself. Didn't see anyone looking for it on my way over, but someone has to be, I figured. You might be able to match handwriting on the list if someone comes in?"

The officer gave Richard a curious look. "Yeah, that could work. Uh, thanks, I suppose, for turning this in. Do you want to leave your name and number? If it's not claimed within a certain amount of time, it either goes to you or the precinct."

"Uh, sure, here you go." Richard grabbed a pen and paper from the desk and gave his information. If no one came forward for it, maybe it was meant to be his? The officer took the paper and set it and the money to the side. "Is there anything else you need?"

"Nah, that should be it. Thank you, again, and have a good holiday." Richard gave a relieved smile, a small wave.

"You, too." Turning on his heel and trying not to glance back over his shoulder at the wallet, Richard headed back out into the snow.

(754 words)