Sharp money launderers want to appear to be:

• Inconspicuous.
• Somewhat boring. 
• Not overly bright or threatening.
• Neither excessively ambitious nor controversial. 
• Just another typical professional.

Perhaps a bit of background is necessary before we walk through the workday. During the years I was involved in laundering activities, I lived first in a 1920s Spanish-style home in historic Coral Gables, an upscale bedroom community of Miami that had the advantage of being adjacent to the international airport. The home had Cuban tile, hardwood floors, a fully functional fireplace (rare for the tropics), and was located on a quiet street near the country club. I decorated it with Jamaican and Colombian Art, and comfortable furniture. An anonymous residence is important when you are engaged in illicit activity, for conspicuous consumption in any form attracts the attention of law enforcement, and the last thing you want is to be noticed. Only a new navy blue BMW out front distinguished it from the other period homes in the neighborhood. 

It was also conveniently close to the residence of a major client with whom I would work for years, and who would later, to my chagrin, whilst facing a life term of imprisonment, give the authorities evidence against me that would result in my indictment and arrest. In that business, I was technically on call for clients, meaning that I might need to run over there without notice, so being four blocks away was a plus. It was also the first place I saw personal computers used in support of criminal operations, in 1980 or 1981. 

Back to the house; there was yours truly, my police detective girlfriend, and her two teen-aged children. I didn't start out with a ready-made family, as the children resided with their father, but, after one summer-long visit, they were here to stay. Typical American family, you say, Lawyer and police officer, we barbecued on weekends, children in religious schools; who would believe that some of the occasional visitors were drug kingpins and that I was involved in major money laundering.  

My next home was a high-rise condominium with a spectacular view of Biscayne Bay, located on the part of the Brickell Avenue Financial District that was residential. Having lived in that building a few years before, whilst leading a legitimate life as a commercial lawyer, I was drawn back there for the amenities, including one of the city's best private clubs on-site. Inasmuch as it was a high-security building, with many professional residents, the chances of standing out were slim, provided you didn't do anything crazy to get yourself noticed. 

My avocation at that time was Miami's signature Art Deco style, meaning period furniture and furnishings, accessories and details that one could only pick up at antique shows, speciality furniture stores, and out-of-the way shops all over the world, some of whom did not even know what it was they were selling. It had become my passion, and I set about decorating the apartment as if it was 1939. Eventually, I was purchasing and restoring original furniture and accessories myself. When one is always worried about meeting an early and untimely end because of one's career choice, having a hobby helps to relieve the day-to-day stress of that life.

Whilst traveling in Europe on money laundering errands, I quickly learned to make detours into the antique quarters, looking for rare prizes. Some of my clients were into art and antiques also, but for a darker reason; to hide their ill-gotten gains in obscure, but extremely valuable, pieces that they could vend anywhere in the world, but which could travel in their baggage or automobile boot without raising any attention.

But I digress; now that you have a picture of my digs, next week we'll go through my workday.