Chapter 16 - THE SWING One summer afternoon, Richard pushed Leo on a mahogany swing beneath the old oak trees.
Higher.
Higher.
Leo laughed.
"Again!"
Richard laughed.
"You're going to fly away."
"Then catch me!"
Richard stopped for a moment.
The words struck him.
Catch me.
Six years ago, he hadn't.
Now he would.
Every time.
Anna watched from the garden.
For a brief moment, the nightmare seemed finished.
Victoria had been arrested.
The conspiracy had been exposed.
Leo was safe.
Richard finally had his son back.
But peace is often most dangerous when people believe it has arrived.
That evening, Leo sat at dinner beside his father.
He laughed.
He ate dessert.
He told Anna about the garden.
He looked like an ordinary child.
But later that night, when everyone was asleep, Leo opened his eyes.
May you like
Something had changed.
He quietly climbed out of bed.
Related Stories
Chapter 17 - THE SECOND RECORDER Leo reached beneath his mattress.
Chapter 18 - THE MAN OUTSIDE The next morning, Richard received an anonymous envelope.
Chapter 19 - THE FAMILY THAT SURVIVED That evening, Richard gathered Leo and Anna around the dinner table.
Chapter 20 - THE FINAL CLICK Late that night, Richard tucked Leo into bed.
