Chapter 5 - The Letter Marcus Was Never Meant to Read
Marcus didn't break into Cole's office.
Walter refused.
Instead, they went to Bennett.
The warden read David's letter twice.
Then looked at Walter.
“You should've brought this to me immediately.”
“I needed more than a thirty-year-old accusation.”
Marcus crossed his arms.
“And now?”
“Now we watch Cole.”
Bennett contacted state investigators quietly.
For four days, nothing happened.
Then Cole made his mistake.
He entered the prison records archive at 2:13 a.m.
Removed an old storage box.
And carried it toward the incineration room.
Investigators stopped him.
Inside the box were payment records, old photographs, correspondence, and a small cassette tape.
Cole was arrested before sunrise.
But Marcus didn't feel satisfied.
When Cole passed his cell, their eyes met.
Marcus stepped toward the bars.
Cole smiled.
“You've got his eyes.”
Marcus's fists closed.
“You knew who I was.”
“From your first day.”
“You watched me become this.”
Cole shrugged.
“Wasn't difficult.”
Marcus lunged toward the bars.
Walter's voice came from behind the officers.
“Marcus.”
Marcus stopped.
Cole smiled wider.
“That's right. Listen to Grandpa.”
Marcus breathed hard.
Cole leaned closer.
“Your father should've minded his own business.”
Marcus's entire body tightened.
One punch.
If the cell opened, one punch would become ten.
Walter said:
“Marcus.”
Marcus looked at him.
Walter didn't order him to stop.
He simply held David's photograph.
Marcus looked at his father's face.
Then at Cole.
Slowly, he opened his fists.
Cole's smile disappeared.
Marcus stepped backward.
“You're not worth becoming worse for.”
Walter said nothing.
But Marcus saw something in his eyes.
Pride.
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For the first time in decades, Marcus walked away from a fight he desperately wanted.
And it felt more powerful than winning one.
