CHAPTER 13 — THE LETTER THAT CHANGED EVERYTHING
One year later...
Grace Cross had finally begun building a life that belonged to her.
She no longer answered to V-3147.
She worked quietly restoring aircraft at a small civilian aviation center, far from military bases and classified facilities. Most of her coworkers knew only that she had served her country and preferred not to discuss the past.
For the first time in decades, peace felt possible.
Then a plain white envelope arrived.
No return address.
No stamp.
Someone had delivered it by hand.
Inside was a single folded sheet.
Nathan watched as Grace slowly unfolded it.
Her hands froze.
The handwriting was unmistakably familiar.
It belonged to General Marcus Holloway.
But Holloway had died in federal custody three months earlier.
Grace read the letter aloud.
If you're reading this, then I'm gone. Which means I can finally tell you the truth.
I wasn't the man who started Project Vulture... and I wasn't the last.
Nathan's face darkened.
"There can't be anyone left."
Grace continued reading.
There's one file I never gave investigators.
Because I couldn't.
Someone stole it before my arrest.
The final sentence chilled everyone in the room.
Find the man called Shepherd. Trust no one wearing stars.
Nathan slowly lowered himself into a chair.
Only a handful of people had ever heard that codename.
He hadn't spoken it in twenty-eight years.
Grace looked at him.
"You know who Shepherd is."
Nathan closed his eyes.
"I hoped he was dead."
Outside, a black sedan watched the house from across the road.
Its engine quietly started.
Someone inside picked up a radio.
"They've opened the letter."
May you like
A calm voice answered through the speaker.
"Then Phase Three begins."
