Aurelio and Magdalena were already there, waiting by Gael’s grave, two old people grown gentle in the years since the night at the roadside.

Santiago laid white flowers on the stone, and beside them he set a copy of the document from his first case.

“Dad,” he said.

“I’m back.

It took me a while.

But I kept the promise I made you in the rain.

I’m going to use everything I learned so that other kids don’t have to wait fifteen years for one person to finally listen to them.” Aurelio put a hand on his shoulder.

“Gael would be proud of you,” he said.