Chapter 24 - The Man Behind the Curtain
The real mastermind was not Edward.
It was Senator Hale.
For twenty-three years, he had controlled the records, the officials and the investigation.
But he had made one mistake.
He assumed everyone involved was still afraid.
They weren't.
Margaret released copies of the archive to a journalist.
Travis contacted federal investigators.
Eleanor agreed to testify.
And Caroline kept the original arrest file.
Hale reacted immediately.
He summoned Edward.
“You were supposed to destroy everything.”
Edward looked at him.
“I couldn't.”
Hale narrowed his eyes.
“Then you're finished.”
Edward smiled sadly.
“So are you.”
He placed a recording device on the table.
Every conversation Hale had held about Eleanor had been recorded.
Every order.
Every threat.
Every payment.
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Edward had spent twenty-three years collecting evidence against the man he once served.
Hale realized too late that the conspiracy had finally turned against him.
