Chapter 16 - The Letter They Tried to Bury
Tomas returned to Silver Creek with Naira.
Elias saw them arrive.
For a moment, everything inside him hurt.
Then Tomas approached.
“You're Ward.”
“Yes.”
“I remembered your name because you were the only lieutenant who once refused Voss's order to punish a village.”
Elias stared.
That forgotten act had mattered.
Tomas extended his hand.
“Thank you for bringing her to me.”
Elias shook it.
Over the following weeks, Tomas testified.
His testimony destroyed Voss's defense.
Documents confirmed the corruption.
Crawford was arrested.
Families of other victims finally learned what had happened.
Tomas became more than a missing scout.
He became the witness Voss had failed to silence.
But his health worsened.
One evening, he asked Elias to sit outside.
“She loves you.”
Elias looked away.
“I won't discuss that.”
“I will.”
“Tomas—”
“I know my wife.”
Elias's jaw tightened.
“She loves you too.”
Tomas smiled.
“Good.”
There was no jealousy in it.
Only relief.
“Promise me something.”
May you like
Elias looked at him.
“Don't let her turn grief into another five years of waiting.”
