Chapter 21 - Archive Node 3
Marcus read the report twice before placing it beside Daniel's blueprint.
ARCHIVE NODE 3 — STATUS: ACTIVE
The words felt less like a system notification and more like a warning left behind for whoever managed to reach this point.
Dana looked toward Arthur.
"You knew there was a third archive. Did you know about Archive Node 3?"
Arthur remained silent for several seconds.
"I knew the name."
"And?"
"I never knew where it was."
Marcus spread Daniel's transparent blueprint across the table again. The red arrows converged toward a symbol that matched the code appearing on the new report. Someone had intentionally connected the airport to another location outside the public record.
The communications officer enlarged the report.
"The property belongs to a government agency that no longer exists."
Marcus frowned.
"Officially?"
The officer nodded.
"It was dissolved nine years ago."
Arthur gave a weary smile.
"Organizations disappear on paper much more easily than people."
Eleanor carefully unfolded another letter that had been tucked between the blueprint and the notebook cover. Unlike Rebecca's handwriting, this note belonged unmistakably to Daniel.
It contained only one sentence.
If Node 3 ever becomes active, someone has decided the waiting is over.
Marcus read it aloud.
Dana immediately looked toward Victor through the interview room window.
Victor had stopped pretending to be relaxed. He sat perfectly still, watching the officers move around the evidence table.
"He knows what Node 3 is," Marcus said quietly.
Before Dana could answer, another message appeared on the communications terminal.
External archive accessed by authorized legacy credential.
"No user name?" Marcus asked.
The technician shook his head.
"Only an identification number."
"What number?"
The technician swallowed.
"Credential 001."
Arthur slowly closed his eyes.
"There was only one person authorized to use Credential 001."
Marcus turned.
"Who?"
Arthur answered almost in a whisper.
May you like
"The founder."
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