Chapter 3

The memorial luncheon had been set up to feel both solemn and warm.

Derek stood beside Captain Ross, the precinct commander, in his dress uniform.

The moment he saw me, he hurried over and lowered his voice.

"You actually came? There is nothing for you to do here. Why don't you head home?"

I wore my best coat, carried my nicest handbag, and smiled.

"I'm already here. Supporting an officer's family is the right thing to do."

The program began.

Captain Ross spoke about Derek's late mentor and the other officers the department had lost in the line of duty.

The room grew heavy and quiet.

Eventually, the conversation turned to Valerie.

Captain Ross patted Derek on the shoulder.

"You have done a great deal for Valerie over the years. Thomas would be grateful if he could see it."

People around the table immediately agreed.

"Lieutenant Foster has always been loyal."

"Valerie has had a difficult life. Thank goodness Derek has helped her."

"Look at them. They might as well be married."

Someone offered the last comment as a joke.

Valerie sat on Derek's other side.

She wore a modest cream sweater.

Her reddened eyes made her look especially delicate.

Every few minutes, she glanced at Derek with open dependence.

At the teasing, she blushed and said softly,

"I truly don't know what I would have done without Derek."

Then she lifted her head and looked directly past him at me.

There was nothing fragile in her eyes now, only triumph and challenge.

"I'm also fortunate Evelyn has always been so understanding. Otherwise, I would be too ashamed to accept his help."

Her gentle voice cut like a blade.

Silence swept briefly across the table.

Several people shifted with visible discomfort.

Derek grabbed my hand beneath the table and whispered,

"Don't read into it. She's emotional today. She lost her husband, so try to be patient."

The panic in his face made my stomach turn.

I slowly pulled my hand away without answering.

I only smiled.

After dinner and several rounds of drinks, the room relaxed.

I raised my glass and stood.

Every head turned toward me.

I approached Captain Ross at the head table with a pleasant smile.

"Captain, I'd like to make a toast."

"First, though, I have a question. Is this city really so dangerous that Derek is called out in the middle of the night several times a month?"

Captain Ross blinked and answered without thinking.

"Called out? No. The unit has been quiet for months."

The entire table went still.

Derek shot to his feet and reached for me.

"Evelyn! What are you doing?"

I shook him off and walked onto the small stage.

The screen behind me lit up with the presentation I had prepared.

The first slide displayed a report.

An independent DNA test identified Derek as Leo's biological father.

The final slide played an intimate video, and unmistakable audio filled the hall.

Photo after photo followed, leaving no room for denial.

The room erupted in shock.

I carried my glass to the center of the floor.

My voice remained perfectly clear.

"My first toast is to my husband, whose devoted care for his mentor's widow somehow carried him all the way into her bed and produced an eight-year-old son.

"My second toast is to his best friend, who raised that son for eight years to protect Derek's reputation. What extraordinary loyalty.

"My third toast is to myself. On my wedding night, my husband ran to his mistress and left his friend behind with his bride.

"For all I know, the friend was expected to finish the groom's duties too. What a distinctive beginning to ten years of marriage."

The audience sat frozen until Valerie screamed.

"Turn it off!"

Derek finally snapped out of his stupor and charged toward me.