The bear itself was old.
Very old.
“Owen.”
He looked up.
“Can I see your bear?”
His arms tightened around it.
Support Veterans
“Daddy gave him to me.”
“I won’t take him away.”
After a long hesitation, Owen handed it to me.
The teddy bear felt heavier than
expected.
Marco noticed it too.
“Sir.”
I turned it around.
Black thread ran along its back.
Try Translators
Not factory stitching.
Hand stitching.
I looked at Owen.
“Did your dad ever repair this?”
He nodded.
“Before he got sick.”
“What did he say?”
Owen thought for a moment.
Then his expression brightened slightly.
“He said Mr. Bear had to carry something important.”
Marco and I exchanged a look.
I carefully pressed against the bear’s back.
Something firm was hidden inside.
Not stuffing.
A rectangular object.
Before I could inspect it further, my phone rang.
Unknown number.
Chicago area code.
