The detective glanced between the bed and a faded photograph, noting bone structure, scars. “Strong resemblance,” he muttered. “Given the storm, the injuries… it’s plausible.” But it was the next sound that sealed it. The patient’s lips moved, and a quiet word surfaced from somewhere deeper than confusion.
“Rach,” he whispered. Rachel’s knees nearly buckled. “He’s the only one who ever called me that,” she said, covering her mouth. The detective nodded slowly. “Under the circumstances, the photo, the prior rescue logs, and that recognition, I’m satisfied to move this from Patient Unknown to Ward, Caleb. Official ID—reopened case.”