CHAPTER 3 — The Truth About Daniel's Last Mission
The suited men entered quietly.
Customers instinctively backed away.
The leader removed his sunglasses.
"My name is Captain Marcus Hale."
"Internal Affairs."
The widow's breathing became uneven.
"What do you want?"
Marcus looked directly at her.
"We've been searching for you."
"For six months."
She stepped backward.
"I've already buried my husband."
"What else could you possibly take from me?"
Marcus slowly reached into his briefcase.
The customers expected legal papers.
Instead...
He removed a sealed evidence box.
Inside lay Daniel's police badge.
His service weapon.
And a handwritten letter.
The widow gasped.
"I was told these were destroyed."
Marcus lowered his head.
"They weren't."
"They were being held."
"There was an investigation."
Richard frowned.
"Investigation?"
Marcus nodded.
"Someone claimed Officer Daniel Carter had accepted money from criminals before he died."
The widow's face turned pale.
"No."
"That's impossible."
Marcus smiled sadly.
"We know."
"We finally proved his innocence."
The entire store stood speechless.
Marcus continued.
"Your husband didn't betray anyone."
"He died protecting undercover officers."
"He refused a two-million-dollar bribe."
"And because of that..."
"The cartel executed him."
The widow collapsed into a chair.
She had spent six months believing strangers thought Daniel was corrupt.
Marcus carefully handed her the letter.
"It's from Daniel."
"He wrote it before the mission."
Her trembling fingers unfolded it.
"If you're reading this..."
"I didn't make it home."
"And if our baby is born without me..."
"Tell them never to hate this badge."
"Because serving people was always worth the risk."
By the time she reached the final sentence...
Everyone in the jewelry store was crying.
But Marcus wasn't finished.
"There is something else."
May you like
"The government owes you."
"And someone stole it."
