Chapter 4: The Envelope Derek Tried to Hide
The siren faded into the distance.
No police cars turned onto our street.
Yet my mother didn't seem relieved.
She looked anxious.
Her eyes drifted toward Derek again.
He immediately looked away.
That silent exchange lasted only a heartbeat.
But it was enough.
Something was wrong.
Very wrong.
I handed Jamie to Evelyn.
"Take him to the car."
"I'm taking him to the emergency clinic."
She nodded.
Her arms wrapped tightly around our son.
"I'll get his diaper bag."
She hurried inside.
I watched her disappear through the kitchen door.
Then I turned back to the patio.
Nobody had touched their food.
Paper plates sat forgotten on the tables.
The cheerful birthday decorations suddenly looked ridiculous.
Blue balloons floated above a party that had never been for my son.
I faced everyone.
"I have one question."
"If you've been coming here regularly..."
"Who invited you?"
Several relatives answered at once.
"Your mother."
"Judith."
"She said you wanted family around."
"She told us you were grateful she was helping."
Every answer pointed to the same person.
My mother.
She folded her arms.
"I was only trying to keep the family close."
"By lying?"
"I did what was best."
"For who?"
She didn't answer.
Derek suddenly stepped backward.
Just one step.
Then another.
Toward the side gate.
I noticed immediately.
"So where are you going?"
He forced a laugh.
"Nowhere."
"I just remembered I left something in my truck."
"Stay where you are."
His smile disappeared.
"I don't need your permission."
He turned toward the gate.
I moved faster.
I stepped directly into his path.
"What's the hurry?"
He shrugged.
"I've got work tomorrow."
"It's Friday."
"So?"
I looked him in the eye.
"Take your jacket off."
His eyebrows shot up.
"What?"
"You heard me."
"This isn't funny."
"I wasn't joking."
Around us, the relatives shifted uncomfortably.
Aunt Gloria spoke first.
"Colin..."
"Maybe let him go."
I never looked away from Derek.
"Take."
"Off."
"The jacket."
His jaw tightened.
"You're acting crazy."
"Maybe."
"But you're sweating."
His forehead glistened despite the cool evening breeze.
He looked toward my mother.
She gave the slightest shake of her head.
Almost invisible.
Almost.
I saw it.
"So that's it."
I smiled without humor.
"She's telling you not to do it."
"I don't know what you're talking about."
"Then prove me wrong."
Silence.
Finally, Derek sighed dramatically.
He unzipped his lightweight jacket.
"There."
"Happy?"
He held it open.
Empty.
Almost.
Something bulky stretched the inside pocket.
A large manila envelope.
Far too large to fit naturally.
"What is that?"
He looked down.
"Oh."
"Just paperwork."
"What paperwork?"
"My paperwork."
I reached toward the pocket.
He grabbed my wrist.
"Don't touch my stuff."
His reaction told me everything.
"What's in the envelope?"
"It's private."
"Then you won't mind showing everyone."
"I said no."
The tension on the patio became unbearable.
My mother suddenly stepped between us.
"Colin."
"Enough."
"You're embarrassing your cousin."
I laughed once.
Cold.
Short.
"No."
"I think someone else should be embarrassed."
I pulled my phone from my pocket.
My mother frowned.
"What are you doing?"
"I'm calling the police."
The words hit like a thunderclap.
"What?"
"For what?"
Derek asked.
"Because I think someone is trying to leave my property with documents that don't belong to him."
His face turned pale.
"You're insane."
"Maybe."
"But if it's only paperwork..."
"You shouldn't have anything to worry about."
My thumb hovered over the call button.
Derek looked at my mother again.
This time she couldn't hide her panic.
"Don't."
She whispered.
Too late.
I pressed the screen.
The dispatcher answered almost immediately.
"911."
"What is your emergency?"
"My name is Colin Ashford."
"I believe someone may be attempting to remove important legal documents from my home."
"I need an officer to respond."
The dispatcher began asking questions.
As I answered them, Derek slowly backed away.
Then he ran.
He shoved past Uncle Raymond.
Knocked over a folding chair.
And sprinted toward the side gate.
"Stop him!"
I shouted.
Several relatives instinctively moved.
Not to help Derek.
To block him.
He slammed into the closed gate.
The latch wouldn't open.
By the time he turned around, three of my uncles were standing between us.
No one spoke.
No one smiled.
The party was over.
May you like
Now everyone wanted to know one thing.
What was hidden inside that envelope?
