Chapter 24 - The Voice on Tape Three
The cassette tapes remained untouched on the evidence table.
There were four in total.
Tape One.
Tape Two.
Tape Three.
Tape Four.
Until now, the investigators had focused on the letters, photographs, and notebook, leaving the recordings for later.
Marcus carefully picked up Tape Three.
"Rebecca's letter mentioned that documents were incomplete."
Dana nodded.
"Let's see if Daniel finished the story another way."
An evidence technician connected an archival cassette player to external speakers.
The tape hissed softly before a man's voice emerged.
Older.
Calm.
Unmistakably Daniel Whitmore.
> "If you're hearing this, then at least one archive has survived."
Everyone remained perfectly still.
Daniel continued.
> "Do not trust the order in which you discover the evidence."
Marcus exchanged a quick glance with Dana.
The sentence echoed everything they had experienced so far.
The recording continued.
> "Someone will guide you toward what they want you to find first."
Arthur lowered his eyes.
"He knew."
Daniel's voice became quieter.
> "If Rebecca succeeded, then the third archive will remain hidden even after the first two are compromised."
Marcus immediately looked toward the blueprint.
Node 3.
Daniel continued.
> "Never assume the person protecting Samuel is your ally."
The room fell silent.
Eleanor slowly sat down.
Marcus replayed the sentence.
"Never assume the person protecting Samuel is your ally."
Dana frowned.
"So someone has been protecting Samuel..."
"...for reasons other than helping him," Marcus finished.
Suddenly the tape crackled violently.
A second voice interrupted the recording.
Not Daniel.
Not Rebecca.
A woman.
> "Daniel... they're here."
The tape stopped.
No further audio followed.
Only silence.
Marcus carefully turned the cassette over.
Someone had scratched a tiny number into the plastic casing.
14C.
May you like
The same seat number printed on Rebecca Lawson's boarding pass.
---
