The hospital had finally grown quiet.
Visiting hours were over, and one by one the corridors emptied until only the occasional footsteps of nurses echoed through the floor. Outside Noah's room, a federal officer remained stationed beside the door, while another patrolled the hallway every few minutes.
The envelope, the photograph and the brass key had all been sealed inside an evidence bag after being documented. At Noah's request, they hadn't been taken away. Instead, they rested inside a locked drawer beside his bed, waiting until he was strong enough to decide what came next.
Matthew had reluctantly gone home to shower after Aiden promised—repeatedly—that he wouldn't leave Noah alone. Vinny, Lily and Isabella had finally been convinced to get some sleep as well, although Vinny had dramatically declared he would "return at sunrise with better food than hospital slop."
Leon had been the last to leave.
Before walking out, he simply looked at Noah and said, "Don't disappear."
