CHAPTER 2: THE MAN WHO RETURNED FROM THE DEAD

The words echoed inside the man's mind.

"My father isn't dead anymore."

For several seconds, he couldn't breathe.

The lobby around them seemed distant.

Muted.

Unreal.

The boy stepped back and carefully held the silver watch against his chest.

The man stared at him.

"What did you say?"

The child glanced around nervously.

As if someone might be watching.

Then he reached into his pocket and pulled out a folded piece of paper.

Its edges were worn.

The paper had been opened and closed hundreds of times.

The boy handed it over.

The man's fingers trembled as he unfolded it.

Inside was a photograph.

Old.

Faded.

But unmistakable.

A bearded man stood beside a wooden cabin deep in the mountains.

Older.

Scarred.

But alive.

Scott.

The man's heart nearly stopped.

His brother.

The brother everyone believed had died twenty years ago.

Alive.

A message was written on the back of the photograph.

Only six words.

"If you're reading this, find me."

The handwriting belonged to Scott.

The man felt tears fill his eyes.

"Where did you get this?"

The boy swallowed.

"My dad gave it to me."

A silence followed.

Then the boy whispered:

"He's in danger."

Everything changed.

The businessman stood immediately.

No meeting.

No hotel.

No business deal mattered anymore.

For the first time in two decades, he had a chance to find his brother.