Chapter 28 - The Unmarked Envelope
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I froze in the middle of the hallway.
The mail carrier had delivered the regular mail at 2:00 PM that afternoon. This envelope hadn't been there when our guests arrived. Someone had dropped it through the slot late at night, while the party was in full swing.
I walked slowly over to the door, my heart hammering against my ribs.
I picked up the envelope. There was no stamp, no postal mark, and no recipient name written on the front. It was completely blank.
With trembling fingers, I tore open the paper seal and pulled out what was inside.
It was a single, folded sheet of heavy yellow legal paper, and a newspaper clipping.
My eyes fell on the newspaper clipping first. It was a recent printout from a state prison database, featuring a headshot of Arthur Vance in his jumpsuit.
Stamped across his mugshot in red ink were the words: PAROLE GRANTED / EARLY RELEASE APPROVED.
My breath hitched in my throat. Early release? He was supposed to serve seven years! He had only served two!
I unfolded the yellow legal paper. Written across the middle in familiar, sharp, angry cursive was a single sentence:
Did you really think a few iron bars could keep me away from what is mine?
My hands shook so violently that the paper fluttered to the floor.
May you like
He was out. Arthur Vance was free.
I rushed to the front window, pulling back the curtain just half an inch to peer into the dark street outside.
