Chapter 9: The Final Mission
The name on the document was impossible.
I read it again.
And again.
My mind refused to accept it.
Admiral Thomas Walker.
The man who had helped expose Vale.
The man who stood beside me.
The man who seemed determined to uncover the truth.
My brother watched my reaction.
“You understand now.””
“No.””
My voice was barely a whisper.
“I don’t.””
Michael stepped closer.
“People hide the truth in layers.””
He pointed at the document.
“Vale was a piece.””
“Cross was a piece.””
“Walker was the person moving them.””
I shook my head.
“He saved Marcus.””
“He needed Marcus alive.””
“Why?””
“Because Marcus was the only person who knew where your father hid the evidence.””
Everything suddenly made sense.
The ceremony.
The trap.
The fake security order.
The attempts to scare us.
Walker wasn’t trying to solve the mystery.
He was trying to control the ending.
I called Marcus immediately.
He answered.
“Where are you?””
I hesitated.
“With Michael.””
Silence.
Then:
“Is he safe?””
“I don’t know.””
Michael looked away.
That answer hurt.
Because I didn’t know if I could trust my own brother.
Marcus said:
“Bring him here.””
Before I could respond, my phone showed another incoming call.
Admiral Walker.
I answered.
“Lieutenant.””
His voice was calm.
Too calm.
“Where are you?””
I didn’t answer.
“Your father was just like you.””
I froze.
“What?””
“Always searching. Always believing truth would save everyone.””
My grip tightened.
“You killed him.””
“No.””
A pause.
“I made sure his choices had consequences.””
My blood ran cold.
“You admit it?””
Walker laughed quietly.
“You think this is about a crime?””
“What is it about?””
“Control.””
The word echoed.
“I built a system. Your father threatened to destroy it.””
“And now?””
“Now you have a choice.””
“What choice?””
“Walk away.””
I looked at Michael.
Then at the documents.
“No.””
Walker sighed.
“I was hoping you’d say that.””
The call ended.
Seconds later, the museum lights went out.
Michael moved instantly.
“He found us.””
“How?””
Michael looked at my phone.
“He was tracking you.””
We moved through the darkness.
Outside, vehicles arrived.
Not police.
Military.
I felt something I hadn’t felt in years.
Fear.
Not for myself.
For everyone connected to this.
Marcus.
My father.
My brother.
The people who had already paid the price.
Michael grabbed my arm.
“There’s something else you need to know.””
“What?””
He looked at me.
“I wasn’t just hiding from them.””
“Then who?””
He pointed toward the entrance.
A figure stood in the rain.
Holding a folder.
“From him.””
I stared.
Because the person walking toward us was Marcus Reed.
But Marcus wasn’t alone.
Beside him was Admiral Walker.
My mind raced.
“Marcus?””
He looked at me with tears in his eyes.
“I’m sorry.””
The words hurt more than anything.
“Why?””
Marcus looked down.
“Because your father asked me to protect you.””
“And?””
“And I failed.””
Walker stepped forward.
“You finally understand.””
I looked between them.
“What is happening?””
Marcus took a deep breath.
Then said the words I never expected.
“I knew your father’s secret.””
May you like
A pause.
“I helped hide it.””