David looked at the men outside.

"Silas Creed."

— —

PART 4 — THE TRUE SON OF THE PREACHER

Mara stopped breathing.

Elias didn't do it.

That was almost worse.

He was just standing there, looking at David.

"No."

David's voice broke.

“I saw the album.”

“The files can be forged.”

“He had your mother’s signature.”

Elias' face turned into stone.

“My mother died when I was six years old.”

“I know.”

“Did you know her?”

"No."

“Then don’t tell me what he signed.”

David bowed his head.

Outside, Silas shouted again.

"Elias!"

For the first time, the preacher's voice sounded almost affectionate.

“My son!”

Mara looked at Elias.

Something dark went over.

Elias headed for the broken window.

Silas was sitting under the pine trees.

White hair.

Black coat.

The open hands.

Like a father who gets a child.

Like a preacher who blesses a tomb.

Elias raised the rifle.

Silas smiled.