Chapter 17 – Margaret's Truth
The recovered files contained dozens of recordings.
Margaret appeared older in each one.
Tired.
Frightened.
"I accepted the job believing I was protecting children."
"I discovered someone else was using the panic rooms."
"They threatened every employee who learned the truth."
Grace listened in silence.
Another recording began.
Margaret held several folders against her chest.
"I copied everything."
"I hid the evidence."
"I knew they would blame me."
Charles leaned closer.
"My father accused her."
Detective Brooks nodded.
"Someone wanted her to disappear."
The final recording revealed one last secret.
Margaret looked directly into the camera.
"If Charles is alive..."
"...tell him his father never built the hidden prison."
"He spent years trying to destroy it."
Grace slowly lowered the tablet.
"So your father was trying to expose them."
Charles closed his eyes.
"He died before he could."
At that moment, another officer rushed inside.
"We identified fingerprints from the archive."
Everyone turned toward him.
"They don't belong to Margaret."
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"They belong to someone who is still alive."
End of Chapter 17
