They found themselves in the middle of preparations for a party. Garris waded through the happy kids toward them, beaming, looking younger than Fresco had ever seen him. Chattering, laughing children flooded into the kitchen where Martin blasted his favorite Latino music so loud it still rumbled out when the heavy door swung closed.

Garris reached them, arms engulfing them before stepping away.

"We're celebrating," he said. "And you're all the guests of ...