The stranger stepped into the moonlight. Luke recognized him. Not because he had seen him before. Because he had seen his eyes.
The man was older. Thin. His coat was dark. His face was almost expressionless.
Walter looked at him with genuine fear. "Richard," he whispered.
Luke stared. "Richard Mercer."
Walter nodded. "My brother."
Luke understood.
There had been two Mercers.
Evelyn.
Walter.
And Richard.
The family had carried the secret from one generation into another.
Richard raised his gun. "The book."
Walter held it tighter. "No."
Richard smiled. "You've had it long enough."
Luke looked at Walter. "You killed my father for that book?"
Walter shook his head. "No."
He looked at Richard. "Richard killed people for it."
Richard's face hardened. "You always were weak."
Luke moved slowly. "Put the gun down."
Richard laughed. "You think this is about you?"
"No."
"It's about Sam." Luke felt the anger rise. Richard continued. "Sam thought the past could be corrected." "He believed people deserved second chances." "He believed everyone had a line they wouldn't cross."
Richard looked at Walter. "He was wrong."
Walter raised the Book of Names. "You don't get this."
Richard fired. Walter dropped. Luke lunged.
He caught the book before it hit the ground.
Patterson fired.
Richard disappeared into the trees.
Thomas ran to his uncle.
Walter's eyes were already fading. "Thomas..."
"Don't talk."
Walter coughed. "I'm sorry."
Thomas stared at him. "For what?"
"For making you inherit this."
Walter looked at Luke. "Your father was right."
Luke knelt beside him. "About what?"
"Children don't inherit sins."
Walter closed his eyes. "The book..."
Luke leaned closer. "Tell me."
"Read the final page." Walter's hand went limp.
Luke looked down.
The Book of Names rested in his hands. Heavy. Silent. Waiting.
They returned to the farmhouse before dawn.
Luke opened the book.
Most of the pages contained names.
Some were marked with dates.
Others with simple notes.
WITNESS.
VICTIM.
PROTECTED.
At the very back was the final page.
Luke's father's handwriting covered it. He read silently at first. Then aloud.
If you are reading this, then the river has finally brought the truth home.
You will find names here that will anger you.
Some belonged to good people who became afraid.
Some belonged to bad people who convinced themselves they were doing good.
And some belonged to people who simply stood nearby while evil happened.
Do not confuse the three.
The truth is not a weapon.
Use it to prevent the past from repeating itself.
Luke turned the page. There was one final entry.
Samuel McCall — Witness. Protector. Keeper of the Truth.
Nothing more.
Luke's eyes filled. His father hadn't written himself down as a hero. He had simply recorded what he believed he had done.
Patterson placed a hand on the book. "That's it."
Luke shook his head. "No."
He looked at the river beyond the window. "That's not it."
"What do you mean?" Luke closed the book. "This isn't the end."
Patterson frowned. "Why?"
"Because Dad knew someone would eventually find it."A pause. "And he left instructions."