I should probably go. Frank looked toward the window. Rain struck the glass hard enough to blur the porch light. Hotels are full. Daniel raised an eyebrow.
Veterans conference downtown. Laura looked at Frank. You know hotel occupancy now? I read. You complain about the internet.
I complain about people on the internet. Different problem. Daniel picked up the box. I can leave. Laura looked at him.
I know. He waited. She surprised herself. Stay for pie. Frank's eyebrows rose.
Laura pointed at him. Not one word. I didn't say anything. You were preparing. I was breathing.
Daniel sat back down. Frank nodded toward the hallway. Guest room is still made up. Laura's jaw tightened. I'm not staying here.
Frank looked at her. You always say that. She set her car keys on the counter. Too quickly. Daniel noticed.
He said nothing. 10 minutes later, Daniel stepped onto the porch with his phone. Laura followed. You warned me he'd ask questions. Daniel said.
I didn't warn you about 30-year-old ghosts. He looked at the box under his arm. Neither did my father. Inside, Frank called. Laura.
The humor was gone from his voice. She turned. He stood at the kitchen table holding the paper. The seal was broken. You need to see this.
The page was not a letter. It was a photocopy of an old incident report. Laura recognized the department letter head from boxes in Frank's garage. Near the top was a date from 30 years earlier. Below it, one line had been circled.
Command decision resulting in injury and property loss. Responsible Officer Samuel Hayes. Laura read it again. I thought you left because of your knee. Frank's mouth tightened.
My knee was injured. That wasn't my question. Daniel stood beside the table. Frank looked at the report. Samuel took responsibility for a call that night.
For something he did? Not entirely. Daniel's voice stayed quiet. What does that mean? Frank rubbed one thumb along the edge of the paper.
There was a younger man with us. Good kid. Bad night. What happened? Frank shook his head.
Not tonight. Laura turned the report over. A second page listed injuries, equipment damage, and three names she recognized only from stories. One name had been marked with a pen, then scratched until the paper nearly tore. Who was the younger man?
Frank took the page from her. Someone who had a family and a career ahead of him. So, you and Samuel protected him. Frank's jaw shifted. We kept one bad night from becoming his whole life.