The Man Who Wasn't at the Funeral
Henry and Samuel returned to the cemetery.
They asked every veteran who attended the funeral about Edward Mason.
Nobody remembered him.
That made no sense.
The security camera clearly showed him.
But there was no record of his arrival.
No guest list entry.
No vehicle registration.
Nothing.
Samuel became increasingly uneasy.
"He's not who he claims to be."
Henry looked at him.
"Then who is he?"
Samuel didn't know.
They reviewed the footage again.
Edward stood near the coffin.
Then something happened.
Atlas noticed him.
The dog lifted his head.
But instead of barking...
Atlas stared.
As if recognizing him.
Henry froze.
"Atlas knows him."
Samuel shook his head.
"Maybe."
"Grandpa trained Atlas."
"Yes."
"So if Atlas recognizes him..."
Samuel finished the thought.
"...William knew him."
Henry paused the video.
Edward was looking toward Atlas.
For one second, his expression softened.
Then he walked away.
Henry followed the route.
The camera showed Edward entering a small cemetery maintenance building.
Three minutes later, he came out.
But he was carrying something.
A small black box.
Henry immediately checked the building.
The door was unlocked.
Inside, they found nothing.
Except one thing.
A fresh scratch on the floor.
Atlas sniffed it.
Then began digging.
Henry looked down.
There was a hidden metal compartment beneath the floor.
Inside was a military dog tag.
The name was scratched away.
But one number remained.
**0719.**
Samuel recognized it.
"It's William's old mission code."
Henry looked at him.
"Then Edward left this for us."
Samuel shook his head.
"No."
He stared at the tag.
"Edward didn't leave it."
"Who did?"
Samuel whispered,
"William."
