Chapter 14 - File 17
Daniel explained only fragments.
Thomas Vale had discovered that millions were being routed through shell companies controlled by Gerald Cross.
But the money wasn't simply disappearing.
Some payments funded a private research organization called Halcyon Behavioral Institute.
Claire had never heard of it.
Neither had Robert.
"What kind of research?"
Daniel looked uncomfortable.
"Children."
Claire stared.
"What children?"
"Us."
Daniel remembered appointments.
Tests.
Rooms with cameras.
Memory exercises.
He had been eight.
Claire had been six or seven.
She remembered none of it.
"My father found out," Daniel said. "He confronted Charles. After that, everything changed."
"What did my grandfather want?"
"I don't know."
"Why would he involve me?"
"I don't know."
"Stop saying that."
Daniel's eyes hardened.
"You think you're the only person who wants answers?"
Claire stepped back.
He was right.
Daniel had spent most of his life chasing them.
"My father died," he continued. "Gerald disappeared. Martin protected Charles. Robert stayed silent."
Robert looked ashamed.
Daniel turned toward him.
"You didn't know about Halcyon?"
"No."
"I don't believe you."
"I didn't."
Daniel laughed bitterly.
Claire interrupted.
"Where is Halcyon?"
"Gone."
"Records?"
"File 17."
"The missing box."
"Not a box."
Claire frowned.
Daniel reached toward his bedside drawer.
An agent stopped him, checked it, then handed him an old key card.
"File 17 is a place."
Claire stared.
"Where?"
"Your grandfather called it a file because he didn't want anyone asking questions."
"Where is it?"
Daniel looked at Robert.
"Ask him about the house in Wisconsin."
Robert went pale.
Claire turned.
"What house?"
Robert sat down.
"My father's hunting property."
"Does the family still own it?"
"I thought it was sold."
"When?"
"After his death."
Daniel shook his head.
"No."
Robert looked at him.
"How do you know?"
"Because I went there yesterday."
Claire stepped closer.
"And?"
"Someone was waiting."
"Gerald."
Daniel nodded.
"That's where he attacked me."
"Why?"
"I found File 17."
Claire's heart pounded.
"What was inside?"
Daniel looked directly at her.
"A room filled with photographs of you."
Silence.
"Photographs?"
"Hundreds."
Claire felt suddenly unsteady.
"From when?"
"Childhood."
"Who took them?"
"I don't know."
"Why?"
"I don't know."
"Anything else?"
Daniel hesitated.
"Videos."
Claire swallowed.
"What kind?"
"Interviews."
"With me?"
"Yes."
"I don't remember interviews."
"I know."
"How?"
Daniel's eyes filled with something Claire couldn't identify.
Fear.
Pity.
May you like
Maybe both.
"Because in the videos, you kept saying you didn't remember the previous interview either."
