The paper looked like it had been carried in a damp pocket for a very long time.

“He asked me to give you something if you ever came looking for him,” Elias said.

I took the envelope from his hand.

It felt surprisingly heavy.

The paper was folded over twice and sealed with thick clear tape.

“Why didn’t he mail it to me at the facility?” I asked.

“He didn’t want any record of it existing,” Elias said.

“He told me to hand it directly to you, and only to you.