Perhaps he had been hiding.
Perhaps he had been waiting.
Then Daniel's phone rang.
Unknown number.
He answered.
A man's voice came through.
Old.
Weak.
But unmistakably familiar.
"Daniel?"
Daniel couldn't speak.
The voice continued.
"I knew you'd find it."
Daniel's knees nearly gave way.
"Thomas?"
Silence.
Then:
"I'm sorry it took so long."
Daniel walked outside.
He couldn't breathe.
He couldn't think.
He simply listened.
"Where are you?"
Thomas didn't answer immediately.
"Somewhere safe."
"Are you alive?"
A quiet laugh.
"Last time I checked."
Daniel began to cry.
Thirty-eight years of anger.
Thirty-eight years of grief.
Thirty-eight years of unanswered questions.
All collapsed into one moment.
"Why didn't you come home?"
Thomas's voice became quiet.
"Because I thought everyone was watching."
"I waited for you."
"I know."
"You could have contacted me."
"I tried."
"When?"
"Many times."
Daniel closed his eyes.
Thomas explained that after disappearing, he had spent years moving between towns.
He had kept evidence.
He had watched the investigation.
He knew that some people involved were still protected.
Every time he considered returning, another person connected to the case disappeared.
So he waited.
He waited until the people who had controlled Bellwood were gone.
He waited until the evidence could no longer be erased.
And then he learned that Daniel had returned.
"I knew you would come back eventually."
Daniel laughed through tears.
"You always knew me too well."
"You're my brother."
Daniel looked toward the house.
Harris stood in the doorway.
"What do you want me to do?"
Thomas answered:
"Give the evidence to people who can't bury it."
Daniel nodded.
"I will."
"And Daniel?"
"Yes?"
"Keep the badge."
Daniel touched the old metal badge in his pocket.