As agents photographed the evidence, Evan found the envelope with his name again. This time, no one stopped him as he opened it with trembling hands. Inside was a brief note in his father’s handwriting: If you’re reading this, you know. Sorry for keeping you in the dark, son. Please finish what I’ve started. Hand this over to the law enforcement.
Evan closed his eyes, letting the message settle into the hollow space left by shock. His father hadn’t abandoned him to mystery. He had trusted him to survive it and finish the story Calder tried to bury. Evan swallowed hard, the edges of grief smoothing into resolve.