I did not thank him with any dignity.

I sank back into the chair and put my face in my hands and wept, great shuddering sobs of a relief so total it felt almost like grief, the whole year of held terror pouring out of me at once.

And I felt a warm, steady, papery old hand come to rest over mine, and Arthur’s quiet voice beside me said the only words in the world I needed to hear.

“He is safe, Clara.