“He hit them. He hurt them. He made their lives miserable. All Ollie wanted was for Leo to be safe. I don’t agree with murder, but he was trapped, and scared, and he didn’t know what else to do.”

“When Leo’s eighteen, he can decide for himself.”

“At least let him write. He watches that mail cart pass by every day, always waiting. Why don’t you reply?”

“He’s got to accept what he’s done, and he hasn’t. He showed no remorse, no guilt, and until he does, I don’t want to see him.”

“So you’re punishing him?” Rory turned his attention to Maggie. “He’s eighteen, he’s a kid, and he needs you.”

“What are you shouting about?”

Rory took a step back at the sound of the voice, so similar to Ollie’s, only slightly croakier, as if his voice was breaking.

“Police officer Matterson was just leaving.”

“Police officer?”

Asher was shoved aside, and Rory took another step back when he saw Leo. He had the same blond messy hair, and huge brown eyes, and the dimple in his chin. He looked like Ollie, but before puberty had matured him.

“My brother, is he okay?”

“No,” Rory blurted, struck by Leo’s similar expressions. “He misses you like crazy.”

Leo’s eyes filled with tears. “I miss him, too.”

“You’ve barely mentioned him.” Asher grumbled.

“I feel like I can’t talk about him, or what happened.”

“Exactly Ollie will tip you over the edge.”

“That’s not what I meant. When I talk about him you shut me down, you change the subject, you have this hateful expression on your face, but I want to talk about him, I want to see him.”

“When you’re eighteen.”

Leo turned back to Rory. “How come he’s not writing to me? He said he would when he got taken down, he promised.”

Rory gawped, then looked at Asher.

“What aren’t you telling me?” Leo snapped. “Has he written to me?”

“He may have written a letter or two.” Asher mumbled.

Rory shook his head. “He’s written to you every week for the past nine months.”

“What?”

“He wants to tell you he’s sorry, and that he loves you, and I don’t know what else he puts in the letters, but he sends them with such hope in his face.”

Leo heaved, and he brushed away the tears on his cheeks. “Where are these letters?”

“We thought it was for the best.” Asher murmured. “You can have a fresh start here.”

“I don’t want a fresh start if he’s not in it. I’m not gonna cut my brother out.”

“He’s in prison for a long time.”

“I don’t care. I need him.”

“And he needs you.” Rory finished.

“Let me see him…”

“No. You’re under eighteen, you need our consent.”