As I was about to head back downstairs, a thought entered my brain. What child doesn't have some remembrance of his parents? Some memento of his childhood? There had to be something there. So I set to work opening each box and pawing through it.

I was a third of the way through when Steve called from the bottom of the stairs. He had finished the job. I thanked him profusely and told him to make sure he added the weekend premium to the bill when he sent it to me. I had no doubt he would.

I went back to my boxes. I looked at my watch and saw that it was already three o'clock, so I called my mother and told her I would stop by for dinner. I just explained that I was going through some of dad's things. It was the truth. I just failed to tell her why.

I got back to work, and an hour later hit pay dirt. It was in a box labeled "old dishes," and there were, in fact, some dishes on top. I almost put it aside, then decided to give it a second look. Underneath three dishes was a rectangular package sealed in cardboard, with yellowed tape around the edges. It was so tightly sealed, despite its age, I decided not to open it right then. The real reason was that it had started to get dark and I was beginning to get a little spooked. All of a sudden I wanted to get out of there.

Remembering, however, that someone had tried to break in, maybe looking for this very package, I decided that they might also be watching the house. So I packed a few volumes of an old encyclopedia set under the top plates and brought the box downstairs. I left the house carrying the box labeled "Old Dishes." Between the box and my stomach though, was the taped package, with my jacket thrown over my arms, concealing the package.

To an observer, I was just carrying a box to my car. Once in the car, I set the box on top of the passenger seat and surreptitiously wedged the taped package under my seat. It was unseen and not easily pulled out. While I was at my mother's, if they chose to break into my car, the alarm would go off, scaring them. They would grab the box on the seat and take off. In some ways I wish I hadn't told my mother I was coming for dinner. On the other hand, I had a certain curiosity about the break-in at the house. Was it related to Izzy? If they tried to burglarize my car I would have my answer. I could live with a broken window to find out. I would have liked to have taken the book into the house with me, but if anyone was watching, it would be obvious that I was carrying something. No, I was taking a chance leaving it in the car, but I was pretty sure it was safe wedged under the seat.