He seemed to understand that doing so was no longer possible.
He placed the photograph on the table.
It showed Elena standing outside the Cedar Rapids Public Library. She appeared older than she did in the framed picture, but the resemblance to Silas was unmistakable.
She wore a library identification badge.
Silas leaned closer.
His face became still.
“You know her?” Daniel asked.
Silas reached into his backpack.
He opened the front pocket and removed a folded piece of cream-colored paper.
“I didn’t know her name.”
He placed the paper beside the photograph.
Written across the top in the same careful handwriting as the envelopes were the words:
For Silas—because some stories take the long way home.
Daniel unfolded the rest of the note.
“When did you get this?” he asked.
“Yesterday.”
“At school?”
Silas shook his head.
“At the library.”
Evelyn gripped the edge of the table.
