Chapter 12 - THE ROAD TO THE OLD WAREHOUSE
By late morning the media crowd had finally begun to thin.
Samuel locked the conference room door behind the group.
"We leave now."
Richard nodded.
"The fewer people who know our destination, the better."
Marcus looked uncertain.
"I assume I'm staying here."
Samuel studied him for several seconds.
"You are."
Marcus accepted the decision without argument.
Then, unexpectedly, he turned toward Daniel.
"I don't expect forgiveness."
Daniel waited.
"But if I can do one useful thing..."
Marcus removed a small access card from his wallet.
"This opens every security gate at the dealership."
Daniel looked confused.
Marcus continued.
"If anyone comes asking questions after you've gone..."
"...I'll delay them."
Samuel looked at Marcus with quiet surprise.
Marcus simply shrugged.
"It's the least I can do."
Daniel accepted the card.
"Thank you."
It was the first genuine conversation the two men had shared.
Outside, Richard's SUV waited near the service entrance rather than the front doors to avoid reporters.
Ryan loaded maps into the back.
Samuel brought bottled water, flashlights, and basic tools.
Daniel carried only his backpack.
Nothing more.
As they climbed into the vehicle, Daniel glanced one last time at the dealership.
Yesterday he had entered believing he was invisible.
Today he left carrying answers...
and even more questions.
Richard started the engine.
"The warehouse is about ninety minutes away."
Samuel unfolded the hidden map again.
"If your father's markings are accurate..."
"...there should be an old railway bridge just before the entrance."
Daniel quietly touched the key in his pocket.
For over twenty years it had opened nothing.
Perhaps...
Today would be different.
The SUV pulled onto the highway.
None of them noticed another vehicle merging into traffic several cars behind them.
Dark gray.
Unmarked.
Maintaining a careful distance.
Inside sat the same two men who had watched the dealership the night before.
The passenger smiled while speaking softly into his phone.
"They've started moving."
A calm voice answered.
"Good."
"Do we intercept them?"
"No."
"Why not?"
"Because they still don't know where the vault is."
The line went silent for a moment.
Then came one final instruction.
May you like
"When they find it..."
"...we'll be waiting."
