Chapter 16 - Alive Is Not the Same as Home

I listened three times. On the fourth, Ortiz took the device away so I would drink water.

"He's alive," I said.

"That's what the evidence supports," Price replied. He smiled for the first time since we'd met. "We have identity confirmation."

There were medical complications. Marcus was dehydrated, underweight, and suffering from injuries that needed sustained care. A transfer would happen only when the medical team judged it safe. Nobody promised a date.

The waiting hurt differently now. Grief had been a locked door. Hope was a door that opened an inch and refused to move farther.

Ellis brought more news: Raymond had been located and arrested on charges supported by the investigation. She reminded me that charges were allegations until proved, and there would be proceedings, evidence, lawyers, and probably a long trial. I cared about the process because Marcus had risked his life for institutions that were supposed to be better than the men exploiting them.

Victoria called to say she had found a divorce attorney. "I'm going to tell the truth even if it makes me look stupid," she said.

"It won't be comfortable."

"I don't deserve comfortable yet."

I didn't disagree.

A housing officer asked where I intended to stay when discharged. "Not my parents' hotel," I said. "And not the garage."

The title records confirmed what I knew: Marcus and I owned the house jointly. My parents had no right to assign its bedrooms. With a lawyer's help, I arranged for their belongings to be collected and the locks changed after the investigation released the property.

Then a package arrived from the overseas medical team. Inside was Marcus's ring in a clear evidence pouch and a handwritten card.

CLAIRE, I SAVED THE FIRST DANCE. DON'T LET THEM GIVE IT AWAY.

I laughed and cried at once. We had been too busy at our courthouse wedding for music. Marcus had promised that one day we'd have a slow dance in our own kitchen.

Before I could tell Ortiz, Price's phone rang. His smile disappeared.

"What happened?" I demanded.

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"The medical transport has been delayed," he said. "Someone tried to intercept the convoy."