Chapter 9 - THE BROTHER WHO WAS STILL FIGHTING
The private dock was searched the following morning.
Investigators found evidence of recent activity.
Shipping containers.
Fuel receipts.
Vehicle tracks.
But Eli wasn't there.
Then Detective Velez received information from a confidential source.
A young man matching Eli's description had been transported to a rural property outside Joliet.
The property belonged to a company Rafael controlled through intermediaries.
Authorities obtained a warrant.
I waited at Salvatore's office.
I couldn't sit.
Couldn't eat.
Couldn't stop watching my phone.
Salvatore stayed beside me.
At 3:42 p.m., his phone vibrated.
He read the message.
Then looked at me.
His hands moved.
They found him.
I froze.
Alive?
Salvatore nodded.
Alive.
My knees gave way.
He caught me.
I began crying.
I couldn't stop.
Salvatore held me.
Then signed:
He's coming home.
Eli was transported to a hospital.
He had injuries.
He was dehydrated.
Exhausted.
But alive.
When I entered his room, he was sitting upright.
His hair was longer.
His face thinner.
But he smiled.
I ran to him.
We embraced.
For a long time, neither of us signed.
We didn't need to.
Then Eli pulled back.
His hands trembled.
You found me.
I laughed through tears.
Of course I did.
He smiled.
You always were stubborn.
May you like
I hugged him again.
And for the first time in weeks, the world felt whole.
