Angela examined the document while Marcus unfolded his father's letter.
David's words were careful and direct.
He began by telling Marcus how much he loved him.
He described the first time he held his son, the tiny fingers curling around his thumb, and the way Marcus fell asleep whenever David hummed an old gospel melody.
Marcus read slowly.
He had spent his entire life wondering what his father might have said to him if they had known each other.
Now those words were lying on the table.
I don't know what kind of man you'll become, son. But I hope you'll always remember that being brave doesn't mean being unafraid. It means doing what is right when fear gives you every reason to walk away.
Marcus swallowed.
He looked at Nathan.
"Did Dad know he was going to die?"
Harris shook his head.
"I don't think so."
Angela gently touched her son's shoulder.
"Keep reading."
The letter continued with David's concerns about the freight depot.
He explained that several workers had reported headaches, skin irritation, and breathing problems after handling containers with damaged seals.
Management insisted that the shipments were harmless.
David no longer believed them.
He had photographed chemical labels hidden beneath replacement shipping stickers.
He also discovered that ventilation equipment in one warehouse had been disconnected to reduce operating costs.
When he complained, Richard Cole threatened to fire him.
David began keeping copies of his maintenance reports.
He worried that the company would blame employees if an accident occurred.
If anything happens at the depot, don't let anyone tell you I ignored the danger. I was trying to stop it.
Angela covered her mouth.
For twelve years, the official report had described David as a careless worker who failed to follow safety procedures.
The company denied substantial compensation to his family, relying on that conclusion and other disputed records.
Angela worked two jobs to support Marcus.
She had sold David's pickup truck and most of the tools he left behind.
All while believing her husband had been blamed for something he tried to prevent.
Harris pointed to the brass key.
"David told me it opened a storage locker containing copies of the original records."
"Where?" Angela asked.
"At the old bus depot on Franklin Street."
Angela looked up.
"That place closed years ago."
"I know."
Harris leaned back.
"But the lockers were transferred to a private storage facility before demolition. I recently tracked down the company that handled them."
Marcus stared at the key.
For the first time, he felt his father was not simply a picture on the wall.
He was someone who had left behind a path.
Then Harris revealed the most troubling part.
"Richard Cole was notified that someone requested the old locker records."
Angela frowned.
"How do you know?"
"Because he called me yesterday."