The investigation team returned through the main house gate just as the sky began to lighten.
Grandfather was already in the study.
He had not slept. He knew the investigation team were going for another search that morning and he was waiting for them, hoping good news would arrive just as Joel had promised.
The team leader placed the folded note on the desk in front of him without saying anything. Grandfather picked it up and read it.
He read it twice.
He set it down.
"This is Noel's writing?" he said.
"We confirmed it with samples from his room at the Rodina estate," the team leader said. "It matches."
Grandfather looked at the note and diverted his gaze to the window.
"They had him," he said.
"Yes, sir."
"For two weeks."
"Yes, sir."
The team leader waited.
Grandfather sat back in his chair and pressed his fingertips together and was quiet for a long moment.
