A few girls near the punch bowl clapped softly. A teacher dabbed at her eyes. For a fleeting moment, I felt hopeful. I sat down at the empty table beside me, finally exhaling.
I should have just hung it up, but when I lifted it, something was peeking out of the pocket.
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That was when Steven’s jacket slipped from the back of the chair next to mine. I had seen him drape it there before walking over to my daughter.
I bent automatically to lift it from the floor. My fingers brushed something hard inside the inner pocket.
I should have just hung it up, but when I lifted it, something was peeking out of the pocket. I slipped my hand inside and found a small flash drive, a folded stack of printed photographs, and a sealed red envelope with three words written across it in black marker.
