Chapter 17 - The Fire That Shouldn't Exist
The piercing alarm echoed through every terminal.
Passengers froze for only a second before airport staff began directing them toward designated evacuation routes. Red emergency lights flashed along the ceiling, bathing the polished floors in a pulsing crimson glow.
Marcus grabbed his radio.
"Confirm the source."
The dispatcher answered almost immediately.
"North Storage. Automatic fire suppression has activated."
Dana frowned.
"There shouldn't be anything combustible left in that building."
Marcus remembered Rebecca's letter.
Do not chase what was taken. Follow the person who ordered it taken.
He looked toward Victor.
Instead of appearing worried, Victor slowly smiled.
It wasn't relief.
It wasn't satisfaction.
It was recognition.
"You were expecting this," Marcus said.
Victor leaned back in his chair.
"I've been expecting someone to panic."
Dana stepped closer.
"Who started the fire?"
Victor shrugged.
"You're asking the wrong question."
"What should we be asking?"
Victor's eyes shifted toward the ceiling camera in the interview room.
"You should be asking who wanted every officer to leave this room."
Marcus's heartbeat quickened.
He immediately understood.
The fire might not be the objective.
It might be the distraction.
He pressed his radio.
"All units responding to North Storage—maintain your positions, but leave half your personnel where they are. Nobody abandons the inspection room."
Before anyone replied, another transmission interrupted.
"Officer down."
Marcus's expression changed.
"Location?"
"North Storage entrance."
"Injuries?"
"No visible injuries."
"What?"
The dispatcher hesitated.
"He appears unconscious... but there's no sign of smoke exposure."
Dana and Marcus exchanged a glance.
"Keep medical teams outside until the area is secured."
Marcus turned back toward Victor.
"You already knew."
Victor remained silent.
At that moment, the elderly stranger from the waiting area quietly entered the doorway, escorted by two officers.
"I asked to speak with him," the stranger said, pointing toward Marcus.
Dana stepped forward.
"This area is restricted."
"I know."
"Then how did you get past the checkpoints?"
The old man smiled faintly.
"I still remember which doors require keys... and which doors only require memory."
Marcus studied him carefully.
"You said you survived the fire."
"I did."
"Were you at North Storage?"
The old man shook his head.
"No."
"Then where?"
He looked directly at Eleanor.
"I survived the first fire."
Everyone in the room fell silent.
"The one twelve years ago..."
The stranger nodded once.
May you like
"...was the second."
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