Chapter 13 - The Man Who Should Have Been Dead
The security team surrounded the family.
Caroline moved toward the hallway.
"Stay back."
The voice came again.
"You always were difficult."
Caroline stared into the darkness.
"Edward."
A figure stepped into the doorway.
Older.
Calm.
Smiling.
Travis reached for his weapon.
Caroline raised a hand.
"No."
Edward smiled.
"You haven't changed."
"You should be dead."
"So I've heard."
Caroline's eyes narrowed.
"Why are you here?"
Edward looked at the family.
"Because you finally opened the door."
Caroline stepped forward.
"You used Travis."
"I used his insecurity."
Travis looked ashamed.
Edward continued.
"He wanted to prove he mattered."
Travis's face tightened.
"So you manipulated me?"
Edward smiled.
"People manipulate themselves."
Caroline stared at him.
"What do you want?"
Edward's smile disappeared.
"The file."
"What file?"
"The one your father left behind."
Caroline said nothing.
Edward looked at Margaret.
"You kept it."
Margaret shook her head.
"I destroyed it."
"No."
Edward smiled.
"You hid it."
Caroline looked at her mother.
"Mom."
Margaret began to cry.
Edward continued.
"And now you have something your father never had."
Caroline's eyes narrowed.
"What?"
Edward looked directly at her.
"Access."
Before Caroline could respond, the lights came back on.
The security team moved.
But Edward was already gone.
Only one thing remained on the floor.
A small envelope.
Caroline picked it up.
Her name was written across the front.
Inside was a photograph.
Caroline stared at it.
The photograph showed her father standing beside Edward.
And beside them stood someone Caroline had never expected to see.
A senior government official.
May you like
Someone still alive.
Someone Caroline had trusted.
