Rowan swallowed hard, nodding. He didn’t care about recognition as much as about the story finally being told correctly. For years, whispers had reduced his father’s death to bad luck or incompetence. Now, records and signatures would show he died trying to bring the truth to light.
Weeks later, at a press briefing, officials outlined the scandal. Names were read, charges announced, and restitution funds discussed. They spoke of a long-dead deckhand who had quietly preserved records others tried to erase, and of his son who refused to be frightened away when the sea returned the key.