A Safe Pocket

Morning light cut through the towering arched windows of the library. I sprinted across the dark parquet floor, the wrapped linen bundle tucked tight against my side. Ahead sat an antique brass desk lamp atop a low mahogany book table. Perfect elevation. I climbed the carved table leg and unrolled the napkin on the polished surface. The purple grape sat intact, glossy and cool. Spotting an empty bronze stamp dish beside an open ledger, I nudged the grape inside. It nestled smoothly into the curved metal recess, hidden beneath the shadow of the lampshade.