Despite the knot of anticipation and anxiety in his stomach, Derek appeared calm and composed as he sat with his parents in their living room the following day. He glanced at the clock, counting down the minutes until Michael arrived. They were waiting to tell Michael about Sandra's plan, as agreed the previous evening.
As Derek sat, his thoughts raced. He planned his meeting with Sandra's hitman. Having cloned her SIM card, obtaining the hitman's number was easy. They'd texted him, arranging a discreet meeting by noon. He needed to finish with Michael quickly; it was almost 10 a.m.
His thoughts were interrupted by a gate monitor alert: a car was entering. "This is it," Derek thought, preparing himself for Michael.
Neither moved to open the door; Michael was family and had unrestricted access. But that was about to change.
Outside, as Michael parked, he noticed Derek's car. He wondered why Derek was there. While Derek had every right to be present, Michael couldn't shake the feeling it was connected to his aunt's breakfast invitation. Perhaps they wanted to announce Derek's plan to propose to Sandra, he thought, smiling. But the smile faltered; he recalled Sandra's suggestion of eliminating Evelyn beforehand.
Could he still allow Derek to marry Sandra, or should he intervene? Sandra had become too ambitious and vicious, and he doubted her post-marital trustworthiness.
He sighed, pushing the thoughts aside for later consideration. He plastered on a smile as he entered the house. He greeted Derek's parents politely before turning to Derek.
"Hey, man. What's up?" he asked. Neither Derek nor his parents responded. There was no need for pretense; they'd invited him to reveal their knowledge of his activities.
"Sit down, Michael," Derek's mother said authoritatively, surprising Michael. His aunt and uncle were usually welcoming; this tone was unfamiliar. He took the offered seat, feeling uneasy. All three pairs of eyes followed his every move.
"Is there a problem, Aunt? Did I do something wrong?" he asked, looking at Derek's aunt, who usually favored him.
"Why would you ask that? Did you do something wrong?" Derek's father asked. Michael laughed awkwardly and shook his head.
"No, I didn't. It's justno one's smiling. The atmosphere is tense. Did something happen?" Rebecca exchanged glances with her husband and Derek. Receiving a nod from both, she leaned forward.
"How well do you know Sandra?" she asked. Michael's heart skipped a beat. Why the sudden question? Had Sandra done or said something? Was it about the proposal? The hotel incident? Had someone seen Sandra at his house? His mind raced.
Clearing his throat, he said, "We've been friends for years. I guess I know her well enough," trying to hide his anxiety. Derek leaned forward, his expression grave. "Really? Are you sure about that?" he asked, holding Michael's gaze.
Unease washed over Michael, but he nodded. Before he could respond, Derek's father spoke.
"Michael, there's something you need to hear, since you're so sure you know Sandra so well." Michael's heart dropped. Had Evelyn made another recording?
"What is it? Did Sandra do something wrong?" Michael's stomach churned. He knew it wouldn't be good; otherwise, they wouldn't have started by questioning his relationship with Sandra. He watched anxiously as Derek produced a phone and tapped the screen.
Silence fell as a recording played—Sandra instructing the hitman to eliminate him and Evelyn. A cold wave of fear washed over Michael. Sandra wanted him dead, too?
He glanced at Derek. "What's going on? Is that Sandra's voice? Why does she want to get rid of me? Why hurt her sister? How did you get this?"
"Really, Mike? You don't know why she wants to kill you?" Derek's mother asked. Michael felt trapped. How did they obtain the recording? His mind raced with possibilities.
"We don't have all day, Mike," Derek snapped.
Michael took a deep breath. "I'm sorry for keeping this from you. I swear I was going to tell you, but I didn't know how. Sandra tried to seduce me"
"For God's sake, Michael! Cut the act already!" Derek's voice erupted. "We know everything!"