Overheard

We were having coffee sitting in front of a coffee shop by the side of a busy road when we noticed two fellows approach each other, neither speaking to the other, one handed over a thick packet of dollar bills (denomination of the bills could not be seen from where we were sitting), the other handed over what appeared to be a chain of gold clutched in his right hand.  They walked away from each other without speaking.  A few minutes later a policeman walked by with his son in hand. . . Which group was "saved by the bell"?  All answers will be considered by Marash Girl!