CHAPTER 7 — The Funeral That Was Never Meant to Happen
Marcus insisted that Emily and the baby be moved into protective custody immediately.
But Emily refused.
"If Daniel risked everything to expose the truth..."
"I'm not hiding."
Instead, Richard transformed one of his countryside properties into a secure home.
Former police officers loyal to Daniel volunteered to guard the estate around the clock.
For several weeks...
Nothing happened.
Then, one evening, Marcus received devastating news.
One of the officers who had appeared in Daniel's secret recordings had been found dead.
Official cause of death:
A tragic car accident.
Marcus didn't believe it for a second.
Neither did Emily.
Within forty-eight hours...
A second witness disappeared.
A third resigned and left the country.
Someone was systematically erasing everyone connected to Daniel's investigation.
Marcus realized they were running out of time.
"We need to release the evidence publicly."
Richard nodded.
"If we wait any longer, there may be no one left alive to testify."
A press conference was scheduled for the following Friday.
Every major television network planned to attend.
But the night before the event...
The security cameras outside Richard's estate suddenly went black.
Generators shut down.
The lights flickered.
Then darkness swallowed the entire property.
Outside...
Several black SUVs rolled silently through the gates.
Masked men spread across the grounds.
The guards immediately exchanged gunfire.
Emily grabbed her son and ran toward the hidden panic room Daniel had designed years earlier while helping Richard improve security.
She had barely reached the steel door when she heard footsteps behind her.
Someone whispered,
"Emily..."
She turned.
It was Marcus.
Covered in blood.
He leaned against the wall, struggling to breathe.
"They're inside..."
"They knew every security code."
Emily's face turned white.
"How?"
Marcus closed his eyes for a moment.
"There has to be..."
"...another traitor."
At that exact moment...
The reinforced steel door slowly unlocked by itself.
No one had touched the keypad.
Someone...
May you like
Already knew the emergency access code.
And the shadow waiting on the other side smiled before stepping into the light.
