Daniel smiled at the last one.
"You always did want to be a hero," he murmured.
Near the back, Michael had written a short passage about fighting.
The point isn't to prove you're fearless. The point is to know what you're afraid of and decide what matters more.
Daniel read it twice.
Michael's words offered a different idea.
Daniel closed the notebook.
"I'm going to keep asking questions," he told his brother. "I'm going to make sure they don't get to pretend nothing happened."
The wind moved through the trees.
"But I'm going to stop punishing myself for not knowing how to save you."
"I loved you, Michael. I still do."
Daniel remained at the grave until the light began to fade. When he finally stood, he left the notebook in his bag and walked toward the cemetery gate.
The grief came with him.
But the guilt did not follow quite as closely.
The legal review took several more months.
During that time, the academy's board replaced two members of its event oversight committee, commissioned an external audit of its recordkeeping practices, and suspended its participation in major invitational tournaments until the new safety framework had been independently assessed.
The decisions cost money.
Several sponsors withdrew. Some families moved their children to other gyms. A few coaches complained that Blackstone was being punished for mistakes made by individuals years earlier.
Raymond did not argue with them.
"If we want people to trust us," he told the staff, "we have to accept that trust cannot be demanded. It has to be earned."
Daniel continued working part-time at the academy while helping the oversight panel review safety procedures. He was not appointed to a permanent leadership position, and he preferred it that way.
Then, one afternoon, Detective Bennett called.
"We have an update," she said. "The legal review has reached a conclusion on several of the records-related issues. We'd like to meet with you and explain what can be shared."
Daniel arrived the next morning.
The conference room held Detective Bennett, Ortiz, and a representative from the county attorney's office.
"The investigation has established that the official footage was deliberately shortened before publication and that the event's internal account did not accurately reflect the full sequence. We have also established that the manual override was performed through an account assigned to Victor Sloane."
"Have you established who used the account?"
"We have not conclusively established the identity of the person who entered the command."
"Was it Victor?"
"The account records alone do not prove that. The evidence shows he approved the shortened footage and knew the public version was incomplete. His own statements support that finding. But the physical use of the terminal remains unresolved."
Daniel nodded, though disappointment settled in his stomach.
"What about Paul?"
"The evidence establishes that Paul Danner directed staff to keep the event schedule on track, failed to intervene appropriately when the referee attempted to stop the exchange, and later participated in decisions that resulted in incomplete footage and reporting. Some of those matters have been referred for further action under the applicable sporting and administrative rules."
"And Richard Caldwell?"
"The evidence establishes that he knew the official account was incomplete and did not insist on a full review. We have not found conclusive evidence that he ordered the clock override or directed the editing of the footage."
Daniel looked at the table.
"So we still don't know who physically changed the clock."
"Correct."
"And we still don't have one person who explains everything."
"Correct."
One had continued fighting after recognizing the referee's attempt to stop the action.
Others had failed to intervene or document what happened properly.
Some had shortened the footage or accepted an incomplete official account.
The investigation had established serious wrongdoing and failures of responsibility. It had not established every link in the chain.
"What happens now?" Daniel asked.
"Further proceedings will depend on the relevant authorities," the attorney replied. "We cannot promise every question will lead to a charge or sanction. We can tell you that the records have been preserved and the referrals are active."
"Then I want the full findings when they're available."
"We'll provide what we can."
Outside the building, Daniel stood on the steps for several minutes.
He called Sarah.
"They've reached a conclusion on some of it."
"And?"
"They confirmed the footage was deliberately shortened. They confirmed the official account was incomplete. They established who was responsible for certain decisions."
"But not everything."
"No."
"How are you feeling?"
Daniel looked at the traffic.
"Angry. Relieved. Disappointed. All at once."
"That sounds reasonable."
"I wanted one answer that would make the whole thing fit."