CHAPTER 9 — OLIVIA'S FINAL GIFT
The governor raised one hand.
Every rifle pointed directly at us.
Emma squeezed my hand so tightly it hurt.
Rose quietly whispered,
“There’s one last thing Olivia prepared.”
She reached into her jacket and handed me a sealed envelope.
Across the front were seven words written in Olivia’s unmistakable handwriting.
Open only when they corner you.
With trembling fingers, I broke the seal.
Inside was a handwritten letter.
But attached to it...
was a small remote control.
I looked at Rose.
“What is this?”
“She said you'd know when to use it.”
I unfolded the letter.
My dearest Ethan...
If you're reading this, then they've finally revealed themselves.
I've spent years collecting evidence.
But evidence alone isn't enough.
People like Harrison destroy evidence.
That's why I created something they can't erase.
My eyes dropped to the final sentence.
Press the button.
Confused, I pressed it.
Nothing happened.
Then every phone in the canyon vibrated.
Mine.
The governor's.
His guards'.
Even the journalists gathering beyond the police barricades.
Every screen lit up simultaneously.
A scheduled livestream.
Olivia's face appeared.
Recorded months before her death.
“My name is Olivia Brooks.”
“If you're watching this, then I have been murdered.”
The governor's face drained of color.
Millions of people across the country were now seeing exactly what we were seeing.
Olivia calmly displayed documents.
Bank transfers.
Secret land deals.
Photographs.
Audio recordings.
Hidden camera footage.
Then came the final recording.
Governor Harrison's own voice.
“Burn the cabin. No witnesses. Finish the children.”
The canyon erupted into chaos.
Several of Harrison's own security men lowered their rifles.
One stepped backward.
Another removed his earpiece.
Mark Collins shouted,
“Turn it off!”
But it was too late.
The livestream had already spread across every major platform.
Helicopters suddenly thundered overhead.
Not black ones.
Dark blue.
Federal.
Loudspeakers echoed through the valley.
“Federal agents!”
“Drop your weapons immediately!”
Panic swept through Harrison's men.
Some surrendered instantly.
Others fled into the forest.
Mark Collins raised his rifle—
A single shot rang out.
He collapsed to his knees.
Not dead.
Wounded.
Governor Harrison tried to run toward an armored SUV.
He made it only three steps.
Federal agents tackled him to the ground.
As handcuffs clicked around his wrists, he looked directly at me.
“You think you've won?”
His smile returned.
“This mountain still keeps one secret.”
I frowned.
“What secret?”
He laughed despite the blood running down his face.
“You still don't know who betrayed Olivia first.”
The words struck like lightning.
Because if Harrison was telling the truth...
Then someone even closer to us had delivered Olivia into his hands.
May you like
And somewhere...
That person was still free.
