He did not reach for the letter.

He said he had known there was a family conflict.

He had not known where Linda had taken me.

He had searched through records, asked people who might have known her, and hired someone to follow the records when he could afford it.

He never found an address that led to me.

He should have found me sooner.

He could say that without pretending he knew where I was.

I folded the letter into its original thirds.