But Elias wasn’t done. “You think I’m the villain because I came to collect what belongs to me? He collects whole neighborhoods.”

The officer dragged him toward the hall. At the doorway Elias twisted once more, his gaze landing on Samuel. The little boy stared back, silent now, tears shining on his cheeks.

Elias smiled at him. “Daddy will see you soon.”

Samuel buried his face against Anna. Then Elias was gone.

[From here the story leaves the material of the original Part 2 and continues into new resolution.]

The suite fell into a trembling quiet. Out in the hall, emergency crews shouted; the alarm kept up its red pulse. Somewhere below, a car burned with Anna’s documents inside it, and my signature sat on the paper that had helped push her toward this room.