Chapter 8 - The Night Mike Died
The video ended before Claire could see what happened.
Nathan refused to explain.
Claire forced him to tell her everything he knew.
Two years earlier, Mike had discovered a network of fraudulent accounts inside Mercer Holdings.
The money wasn't simply being stolen.
It was being moved through companies that didn't exist.
Some accounts were connected to people who had supposedly died.
Mike believed the system was being used to erase identities.
Daniel had discovered it first.
He had warned Mike.
Then Daniel disappeared.
Mike continued investigating.
Harold discovered the investigation.
Nathan became trapped between them.
Mike eventually decided to fake his death.
The plan was simple.
Disappear.
Leave the country.
Protect Claire and Mia.
But something went wrong.
The night Mike was supposed to vanish, someone followed him.
The car crash occurred.
The body inside the vehicle was burned beyond recognition.
Everyone assumed it was Mike.
Nathan insisted Mike had survived.
“Then why didn't he come home?”
Nathan's answer broke Claire.
“Because someone made him believe you and Mia were in danger.”
Claire stared at him.
“Who?”
Nathan shook his head.
“We never proved it.”
Claire stood.
“Take me to him.”
“I can't.”
“You know where he is.”
“I know where he was.”
“Where?”
Nathan hesitated.
Then he gave her an address.
An abandoned railway station.
Claire went alone.
The station was empty.
A single lamp flickered.
She found a wooden bench.
Someone had left a small box.
Inside was Mia's old stuffed rabbit.
Claire recognized it immediately.
Mia had lost it three years earlier.
She had cried for days.
Claire held it against her chest.
A voice came from the darkness.
“You should have stayed away.”
Claire turned.
A man stood across the platform.
Tall.
Dark coat.
His face hidden beneath a hood.
“Mike?”
The man didn't answer.
Claire stepped forward.
“Please.”
The man slowly raised his face.
Claire couldn't see clearly.
But she saw the scar near his jaw.
The same scar Mike had gotten when he was twenty-two.
Her knees weakened.
“Mike?”
The man turned away.
Claire ran after him.
He disappeared through a doorway.
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On the wall was a message.
NOT YET.
