Nobody spoke.
The image remained frozen on the screen.
Marcus Reed.
The man holding Jethro's hand.
The man Ethan had just claimed was dead.
Amelia stared at the monitor until her eyes burned.
Her son looked calm.
Safe.
Trusting.
Completely unaware that he was walking beside a ghost.
Or perhaps a monster.
The distinction no longer mattered.
All that mattered was finding him.
Finding Jethro.
Fast.
Damien's gaze shifted slowly toward Ethan.
The room seemed to tighten around them.
"Dead?" Damien asked quietly.
The single word carried enough weight to silence everyone.
Ethan swallowed.
A tiny movement.
Easy to miss.
Not easy enough.
"He died in a boating accident three years ago."
Damien's eyes narrowed.
"And you're certain?"
"Yes."
The answer came quickly.
Too quick
