A white box sat in the middle of the ten-person table. Sarah made a beeline for it and pulled out a thick manila envelope. “This is the only thing that could pass as a package,” she said. She glanced at the front. “And it’s got my name but Mrs. Howard’s address on it. From Dustin.” Tears welled and she swallowed hard while still looking at the piece. Her fingers trailed her brother’s name in the left-hand corner.

Gavin stayed put, giving her the moment.

Footsteps in the hallway caught his attention, and Sarah stilled when her father stepped into the room. Gavin noticed her instant defensive stance. If she’d been a porcupine, every quill would be in the man’s throat.

Sarah ignored him and slid a finger into a small hole at the flap and pulled. She reached inside and removed a stack of papers, a notebook, and what looked like a white envelope. “It has my name on it.” She opened the seal and pulled out a handwritten letter.

“‘Dear Sarah,’” she read, her voice low and gravelly. “‘I miss you, baby sis.’” She looked at Gavin. “I was older, but he called me that because I was smaller than him.” Her eyes dropped back to the letter. “‘I’m sending this to Mrs. Howard because I know she’s getting your mail. I’d give this to you in person, but something happened the other day that’s got me a little paranoid. I think someone tried to kill me.’” She winced and Gavin held still, knowing she needed to do this. “‘I’ll tell you about that later after I find out if I’m right or not. If Caden hasn’t already told you, I’m doing an inpatient program at the VA hospital here in Greenville. I told myself it was to find out what happened to a friend of mine, but the truth is, I probably was hoping it would help me in my own struggle. Things are tough, Sarah, and I’m tired. Don’t tell the general, he’ll think I’m weak, but here’s the thing. I’ve got PTSD. You don’t know how much it pains me to admit that, but I’m telling you so you understand where I’m coming from. I’m involved in a trial drug program. I signed up for it willingly because I suspect that it’s not all on the up-and-up, but I can’t figure out why. So, you might say I’ve signed up to be a guinea pig to get some answers. Although, I’ll admit my surprise that the drug is an amazing thing. The nightmares have stopped, the constant anxiety and jumpiness is gone. I haven’t had a flashback in weeks. I can sleep again. I honestly don’t know how to describe the relief.’”