“Did you bring the file?”
She nodded.
He looked at me.
“Your parents weren’t the only people he killed.”
“What?”
“Anyone who helped expose him disappeared.”
He paused.
“My father was one of them.”
“Daniel?”
Ethan nodded.
“Daniel didn’t run away.”
“What happened to him?”
“He was murdered.”
My eyes filled with tears.
“By Arthur?”
“Yes.”
“Then how are you alive?”
Ethan smiled sadly.
“Because my father had one thing Arthur didn’t.”
“What?”
“Someone willing to protect his son.”
Samuel suddenly appeared in the doorway.
Ethan froze.
For several seconds, the two men stared at each other.
Then Samuel walked toward him.
“I thought you were dead.”
Ethan looked down.
“I almost was.”
Samuel’s eyes filled with tears.
“I failed your father.”
Ethan shook his head.
“You tried to save him.”
“I should have done more.”
“You were trying to protect Mara.”
Samuel nodded.
“And you were trying to protect her too.”
Ethan looked at me.
“Yes.”
The silence between them lasted several seconds.
Then Samuel stepped forward and hugged Ethan.
I had never seen my grandfather hug another man like that.
When they separated, Samuel wiped his eyes.
“I’m sorry.”
Ethan nodded.
“So am I.”
