Chapter 17 - THE MAN IN TWO PLACES
Emergency lights returned.
Nobody was there.
The room had been searched twice.
Every door remained locked.
Daniel looked at Claire through the security monitor.
“Someone is inside the system.”
Claire shook her head.
“No. Someone is inside your family.”
Daniel's expression changed.
“Who?”
Before Claire could answer, the federal agent monitoring Jonathan Vale's detention called.
“Director.”
“What?”
“Vale is awake.”
Daniel stared.
“Put him on.”
Jonathan appeared on the screen.
His hands were restrained.
Two agents stood behind him.
Daniel stepped closer.
“Who was outside?”
Jonathan looked confused.
“What are you talking about?”
“You.”
Jonathan's expression changed.
“I've been here all night.”
Daniel watched him carefully.
“You called me.”
“I haven't called anyone.”
“Then who knows about the gold key?”
Jonathan went pale.
For the first time, genuine fear appeared in his eyes.
“Daniel.”
“What?”
“Destroy it.”
“What?”
“The key.”
Jonathan leaned toward the camera.
“Whatever happens, don't let them open the archive.”
The transmission suddenly cut.
Daniel looked at Claire.
“Who can access the federal network?”
“Too many people.”
“No.”
He shook his head.
“Who can erase a live interrogation?”
Claire understood.
“Someone with director-level access.”
A notification appeared on the screen.
One file had been uploaded.
A photograph.
Daniel opened it.
It showed Henry standing beside a younger Jonathan Vale.
Behind them was a building.
A sign above the entrance read:
BELLHAVEN CHILD DEVELOPMENT CENTER.
The photograph was dated thirty-two years earlier.
Daniel whispered:
“My father knew him.”
Claire nodded.
“And apparently trusted him.”
Daniel looked at Noah.
The boy was staring at the photograph.
“Daddy.”
“What?”
Noah pointed to the younger Jonathan.
“He was there.”
Daniel's blood ran cold.
“How do you know?”
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Noah answered simply:
“Mommy told me.”
