Sophie began crying behind me. I whispered, “Are they still there?”

“We don’t know. But Caleb kept one thing.” She handed me a sealed evidence sleeve. Inside was a postcard. No message. Just handwriting across the back.

For S, when it is safe.

I knew the handwriting before my mind did. Ethan. Messy. Left-slanted. The boy who pressed too hard with pencils. I sank into a chair.

Bennett’s voice softened. “Claire, Caleb said Daniel believed Michael had someone inside local law enforcement. That’s why he stayed gone.”

I looked at her. “Was he right?”