Chapter 8: The Enemy Wearing a Badge
The sound of the gun being pulled back was louder than the rain outside.
Nobody moved.
The second officer stood behind Detective Carter with a steady hand.
Too steady.
That was the part that scared me.
He wasn’t nervous.
He had done this before.
Carter slowly raised his hands.
“Officer Miller.””
The man smiled.
“Still remembering names, Detective?””
Carter’s face hardened.
“I should have known.””
Daniel laughed quietly.
“About time.””
I looked between them.
“You know each other?””
Miller looked at me.
“Unfortunately.””
Carter’s voice was sharp.
“Daniel, you don’t control him.””
Daniel smiled.
“Don’t I?””
Miller lowered the gun slightly.
“Daniel provided information.””
Carter looked disgusted.
“You’re protecting a criminal.””
“No.””
Miller looked toward Maya.
“I’m protecting the truth.””
Maya immediately started shaking her head.
She signed something.
I watched carefully.
“He’s lying.””
Miller noticed.
His expression changed.
“You still haven’t learned when to stay quiet.””
Maya stepped backward.
That sentence told me everything.
He knew her.
Not from tonight.
Before.
I looked at Carter.
“She knows him.””
Carter nodded slowly.
“Miller was one of the officers assigned to the original investigation.””
My heart sank.
“The investigation into her mother?””
“Yes.””
Miller smiled.
“You’re putting pieces together. Good.””
I hated how calm he was.
“How long have you been working with Daniel?””
He looked at Daniel.
“Long enough.””
Daniel walked closer.
“Maya’s mother discovered our operation.””
“Our?””
Carter’s eyes narrowed.
Daniel ignored him.
“She was going to expose everyone involved.””
“And Emily?”” I asked.
Daniel looked at me.
“She got too close.””
My hands clenched.
“You hurt my sister.””
“No.””
His answer surprised me.
“I saved her.””
I almost laughed.
“Saved her?””
Daniel nodded.
“She was about to make the same mistake her parents made.””
I froze.
“My parents?””
Daniel smiled.
“There it is.””
I felt a chill.
“What do you know about my parents?””
Before he could answer, Maya grabbed my hand.
She signed urgently.
I barely followed.
“Don’t listen.””
“Why?””
She pointed at Daniel.
“He changes stories.””
Daniel’s smile faded.
For the first time, he looked angry.
“You little liar.””
Maya flinched.
I stepped between them.
“You don’t get near her.””
Daniel stared at me.
“You think you understand what’s happening because your sister gave you a notebook?””
He laughed.
“She gave you half a story.””
I looked at Carter.
“Where is Emily?””
Carter’s expression became serious.
“We need to find her.””
“Where?””
He looked at the photograph.
Then at Maya.
“Before she disappeared, Emily sent coordinates.””
My heart jumped.
“Where?””
Carter pulled out his phone.
“She said if anything happened, we should go there.””
“Then why are we standing here?””
Carter looked toward Miller.
“Because we need to survive long enough to leave.””
Miller moved toward the door.
“You’re not going anywhere.””
The customers backed away.
Rick stepped forward.
Everyone looked at him.
Daniel smiled.
“Rick.””
Rick looked terrified.
“Don’t.””
Daniel’s expression turned cold.
“You already betrayed one person tonight.””
Rick swallowed.
“I’m done.””
The words surprised everyone.
Even Daniel.
Rick grabbed a heavy metal tray from the counter.
Then he swung it.
The tray hit Miller’s arm.
The gun dropped.
Carter moved instantly.
The diner exploded into chaos.
Miller tackled Rick.
Daniel grabbed Maya.
I screamed.
“Let her go!””
I ran forward.
But Daniel pulled something from his pocket.
Not a weapon.
A phone.
He pressed a button.
Emily’s voice came through the speaker.
“Sarah…”
I froze.
Daniel smiled.
“She wanted you to hear this.””
Static filled the room.
Then Emily spoke again.
“If you’re hearing this…”
A pause.
Her voice broke.
“Don’t trust Daniel.””
Daniel’s smile disappeared.
Then Emily said something that made everyone stop.
“But don’t trust Maya either.””
Maya covered her face.
May you like
And Daniel whispered:
“Now you’re finally seeing the truth.””
