Chapter 9: The Truth Buried For Years
I stared at the phone long after the call ended.
Emily noticed.
“What did he say?””
I didn’t answer immediately.
Because I didn’t know how to tell my daughter that the man who destroyed her life might know something about the man who gave her life.
Her biological father.
A memory I had buried for years.
I had always told Emily the same thing.
Her father died before she was old enough to remember.
A tragic accident.
A painful chapter.
Nothing more.
But Daniel knew something.
And he wanted me to come alone.
Detective Collins watched my expression.
“He mentioned her father?””
I nodded.
Laura looked confused.
“Why would Daniel know anything about that?””
I looked at her.
“That’s what I’m going to find out.””
Detective Collins immediately shook his head.
“Not alone.””
Daniel’s message was clear.
He wanted control.
He wanted me isolated.
And that meant there was a reason.
But I had learned something during my years of service.
When someone wants you to walk into a room alone…
They’re usually afraid of what happens when others see what’s inside.
So instead of following his rules, I prepared.
Not an attack.
A safeguard.
By morning, we had a plan.
The meeting location was an abandoned office building once owned by Hayes Holdings.
The same building from the photograph.
The same place Laura said Daniel took her.
I arrived alone.
At least, that was what Daniel thought.
Inside, the building smelled like dust and old paper.
Every step echoed.
Then I heard his voice.
“You came.””
Daniel stood in the center of the room.
No suit.
No confident smile.
Just a tired man who looked like he finally realized his game was ending.
“Where is my daughter’s father?””
He looked surprised.
“You don’t even ask why you’re here?””
“I asked what I wanted.””
Daniel smiled.
“You’re exactly like Emily.””
I said nothing.
“You both think courage solves everything.””
“No.””
I looked at him.
“Truth does.””
His smile faded.
Daniel walked toward an old desk.
“There’s something you never knew.””
He placed a folder down.
“Emily’s father didn’t die in an accident.””
My chest tightened.
“What happened?””
Daniel opened the folder.
“He was investigating my family.””
I stared at him.
“Why would he investigate you?””
“Because he discovered what we were doing.””
“And?””
Daniel looked away.
“And he tried to expose us.””
My hands tightened.
“What did you do?””
Daniel didn’t answer.
That was the answer.
Before I could speak, a door opened behind me.
I turned.
Michael stepped inside.
Laura’s brother.
Alive.
The man who had helped Daniel.
Daniel looked at him.
“You’re late.””
Michael ignored him.
He looked at me.
“I need to tell you something before it’s too late.””
I watched him carefully.
“Why should I believe you?””
His face showed regret.
“Because I’m the reason your daughter is alive.””
I said nothing.
Michael continued.
“Three years ago, I found out what Daniel was planning.””
“Then why did you help him?””
His eyes dropped.
“Because I was afraid.””
A long silence followed.
Then he reached into his jacket.
And placed a small recording device on the desk.
“I recorded everything.””
Daniel’s face changed.
“What did you do?””
Michael looked at him.
“For the first time in my life…”
He swallowed.
“I chose the right side.””
The device began playing.
A voice came through.
A voice I recognized.
Victoria Hayes.
May you like
And her first sentence made my blood run cold.
“Once Emily’s mother is removed, nobody will ever find out what happened to her father.””
