I was no longer interested in recreating the company exactly as it had been.

That business held too much pain and too many people whose trust had been mishandled.

But the photograph reminded me that my work had once created something real and useful, before anyone altered the books.

It had not all been a lie.

PART 29

A letter arrived from the state agency responsible for evaluating compensation claims arising from wrongful convictions.

Lena had warned me that eligibility, deadlines, and proof requirements were separate from the decision overturning my conviction.