Chapter 9: Whispers of the Past
"So he has no family left?" Arthur asked, his voice thick with suppressed rage.
"None that want him," Hayes said quietly. "Technically, Leo is a ward of the state. Child Protective Services saw the news broadcasts this morning, Arthur. They know he's here. An officer has already been assigned to pick him up and process him into the system by Monday."
"Over my dead body," Arthur snapped, slamming his palm onto the desk. "He gave my daughter her life back. I will buy every agency in this state before I let them drag him back to an orphanage."
A soft knock at the open office door interrupted them.
Leo stood in the hallway. He was clean now, wearing a dark blue sweater and dark pants that fit him neatly, though he still walked with an unhurried, quiet grace. He was holding a small silver pocket watch.
"Mr. Sterling?" Leo asked hesitantly. "Lily is awake. She wants to try walking to the garden, but she said she won't move her feet unless I'm holding her hand."
Arthur's harsh expression melted instantly into a warm, gentle smile. "Go on ahead, Leo. I'll be right there."
Leo turned to head toward the sunroom, but paused, placing the silver watch on a small side table. "I found this in the pocket of the trousers Mrs. Gable gave me. I don't want to lose it."
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After Leo left down the corridor, Detective Hayes picked up the watch and opened the back casing. Engraved inside the polished chrome cover was a tiny serial number and a crest—the emblem of the old Vance Shipping Corporation.
"He's been carrying his father's only remaining heirloom for five years without even knowing what it was," Hayes whispered. "He doesn't care about the Vance name or the money, Arthur. He only cares about the promise he made to Eleanor."
