Chapter 13 

The evidence went public.

The investigation exposed decades of corruption.

Families discovered what had happened to their ancestors.

The stolen fortune was recovered.

The old families who had protected the secret were finally exposed.

But Thomas was still missing.

Daniel had a choice.

He could continue searching.

Or he could stop.

Clara found him one morning sitting outside the diner.

“You’re thinking about going back into the mountains.”

“Yes.”

“Why?”

“Because he’s out there.”

“You don’t know that.”

“No.”

Daniel looked at the mountains.

“But I need to know.”

Clara sat beside him.

“Then I’ll come.”

Daniel smiled.

“You don’t have to.”

“I know.”

She looked at him.

“That’s why I’m coming.”

They returned to Raven’s Mouth one final time.

Near the entrance, Daniel noticed something he had never seen before.

A pine tree carved into the rock.

Beneath it:

17 — 4 — 9 — 21.

Daniel took out his father’s compass.

The needle pointed toward a narrow trail.

They followed it for two hours.

At the end was an abandoned cabin.

Inside was a table.

A chair.

A fireplace.

And an old photograph.

Daniel picked it up.

His father.

Alive.

Standing beside the river.

The photograph was recent.

Not three years old.

Not five.

Only one year old.

Daniel stared.

Clara whispered:

“He was here.”

On the back was a message.

I knew you’d stop searching eventually.

Daniel smiled through tears.

Then read the final line.

Now go home.