“I spent years believing I should have locked the door.”
“I should have hidden his boots.”
“I should have shouted louder.”
“But love does not give us ownership over another person’s conscience.”
“Thomas believed Eli Reed was alive underground.”
“He went back.”
“Caleb returned alone six hours later.”
“He said there had been another collapse.”
“He said Thomas pushed him toward daylight and turned back because he heard someone calling.”
Noah covered his face.
Ruth’s recorded voice trembled.
“Caleb heard Thomas calling Eli’s name.”
“Then the tunnel came down.”
“No one could safely reopen it.”
“Caleb begged me to tell authorities where they had been.”
“I refused.”
Anna’s eyes opened.
“What?”
Ruth continued.
“I was furious.”
“I wanted that place forgotten.”
“I told myself another search would only endanger more people.”
“Perhaps part of that was true.”
“But part of me wanted Cedar Hollow buried because it had taken my husband.”
“For that, I am sorry.”
Anna stared at the recorder.
“Years later, Caleb and I came back.”
“We found Thomas’s lunch tin and the old second-room marker.”
“We could not enter safely.”
“We agreed that one day, when the ground could be opened properly, the truth should be found.”
“But one day became ten years.”
“Then twenty.”
“Cowardice can become routine if you practice it long enough.”
Noah looked toward Anna.
Neither spoke.
The recording continued.
“Last year, Caleb became ill.”
“He asked me to help him make a new map.”
“That map is now with Noah.”
“I placed this box here because I did not know whether I would have the strength to tell you while I was alive.”
“If I failed, I am sorry.”
“The truth belongs to you now.”
The tape clicked.
Everyone remained silent.
Then another sound came through the speaker.
Ruth’s voice again.
“One more thing.”
Anna leaned forward.
“There is something about your father’s final morning that you deserve to know.”
The tape hissed sharply.
Then stopped.
Dale checked the machine.
“Old tape.”