The Missing Son

“Sir, I am sorry. My system won’t allow me to search for your missing son. Has he been missing long?”
His hands shaking, all Derek could do was hand her the only picture he could find of his son, taken 18 months earlier.
Maria sighed. “Okay, I will run his name through the full database this once. I really shouldn’t be doing this!”
Seconds passed before her screen flashed red, she couldn’t help but gasp.
“Sir, I am sorry, but your son passed away…. 13 months ago.”
Derek looked down as he whispered “I hoped it was a mistake.”