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He turns his face toward Scott’s camera.

“I’m here, Elena.”

She closes her eyes.

A single tear moves down her cheek.

“Bring him home.”

The response boat turns toward the dock.

I don’t wait behind the yellow line.

I run.

Marquez runs beside me.

Coast Guard medics reach the landing as the boat comes alongside. Naomi is the first person they lift onto the dock.

Ivy rushes past me.

She catches Naomi before the medic can stop her and wraps both arms around her.

Naomi begins to cry.

Not quietly.

Not carefully.

She folds against Ivy as though she has been holding herself together from the moment Simon took her.

Ward surrounds both of them with his arms.

Donald comes next.

Federal agents drag him onto the dock in restraints.

His gaze finds Thomas.

“You should have stayed silent.”

Thomas steps forward.

“I was silent for too many years.”

Donald smiles.

“You think that makes you innocent?”

“No.” Thomas’s voice remains steady. “It makes me a witness.”

Simon is brought onto the dock behind him.

He looks at Mom.

Then at my sisters.

Then at me.