Chapter 9 - The Secret File
Daniel took Annie and Eleanor to a hidden office beneath one of his buildings.
Annie stared around.
The place looked impossible.
Computers.
Security screens.
Locked cabinets.
People watching cameras from every angle.
“This is where you work?”
Daniel nodded.
“Part of it.”
Annie looked at the walls.
There were photos.
Names.
Documents.
Then she saw something.
A picture.
A young woman standing beside Eleanor.
Annie walked closer.
“That’s my mom.”
Daniel stopped.
“Yes.”
Annie touched the photo.
“She looks happy.”
“She was.”
“Did you know her?”
Daniel looked away.
“Yes.”
“How?”
Daniel was quiet.
Finally he said:
“She saved my life before your grandmother did.”
Annie turned.
“What?”
Daniel explained.
Years ago, before he became powerful, he was just a young man running from criminals.
Claire Calehan had helped him escape.
She believed people could change.
“She told me something I never forgot,” Daniel said.
“She said, ‘A person isn’t defined by the worst thing they’ve done. They’re defined by what they choose afterward.’”
Annie smiled slightly.
“That sounds like Grandma.”
Daniel nodded.
“She was her daughter.”
Suddenly one of the security screens flashed.
A warning.
Someone had accessed the building.
Marcus ran in.
“We have a problem.”
Daniel stood.
“Who?”
Marcus looked serious.
“Someone with clearance.”
Everyone froze.
“Impossible,” Daniel said.
Marcus shook his head.
“No.”
He looked at Annie.
“Someone who has been helping us.”
Daniel understood immediately.
May you like
There was a traitor inside.
---
