Mark walked back inside the cool, quiet funeral hall, pushing open the double doors.
The family members were gathered around the altar, where Leo was sitting on a wooden bench eating a small sandwich Uncle Richard had brought him.
Uncle Richard: Is it done, Mark?
Mark: She's in police custody. The state attorney is taking over the fraud investigation.
Aunt Clara: Thank God. That woman was a leech on our family for too long.
Leo looked up from his sandwich, holding the wooden toy car in his lap.
Leo: Is the mean lady gone?
Mark: She's gone, Leo. She's never going to hurt you or bother you ever again.
Leo: Can I stay with you now?
Mark walked over and sat down on the bench right beside the young boy, wrapping his arm around his shoulders.
Mark: You're coming home with me today, Leo. We're going to fix up your room in my house, and you're going to go to the best school in town.
Leo: Will you teach me how to make wooden cars like Dad did?
Mark: I'll teach you everything Dad taught me. I promise.
Leo smiled, the first genuine smile to cross his face all day, and leaned his head against Mark's side.
Uncle Richard: Your father would be so proud of you, Mark. You stood up for this boy when nobody else knew he existed.
Mark: My father left us a great legacy, Richard. But Leo isn't just a part of his estate—he's my family.
The priest walked up to the front of the altar, placing a soft hand on the dark wooden casket.
Priest: We are ready to begin the final prayer service for Raudin Vance, if the family is ready.
Mark stood up, taking Leo's small hand in his own as they walked up to the casket together.
Mark: We're ready, Father.
They stood side by side in the warm sunlight streaming through the windows, looking down at the man who had brought them together.
Leo set his tiny wooden toy car on top of the casket right next to the white flowers.
Leo: Goodbye, Daddy. I found my brother.
Mark squeezed Leo's hand tightly, feeling a deep sense of peace wash over him for the first time since his father had passed.
Mark: Rest easy, Dad. I'll take care of him.