“His name is Nathan Mitchell.”
Aaron closed his eyes briefly, because he did not need confirmation beyond that. Nathan was his twin, the brother who vanished from every contact list six years earlier after one vicious argument that neither had bothered to heal.
Before Aaron could speak again, a woman hurried out from the building, her sensible shoes striking the pavement with urgency.
“Tyler, you cannot walk off alone,” she said, pulling the boy closer with a protective hand on his shoulder. Then she turned to Aaron. “Officer, I apologize. He wanders when he sees something that interests him.”
Aaron straightened slowly, noting the exhaustion in her face, the tired professionalism of someone who carried stories heavier than her own.
“It is alright,” he said. “I am Officer Mitchell. May I ask your name?”
“I am Ms. Donnelly,” she replied. “I manage intake care here.”
Tyler tugged her sleeve and pointed again at Aaron’s tattoo.
“He has Daddy’s mark,” the boy said loudly.
Ms. Donnelly’s eyes dropped to Aaron’s arm, and the color drained from her cheeks so quickly that Aaron knew the truth had already reached her mind before words did.
She tightened her hold on Tyler.