Chapter 13 - Recognition
Night settled over the city before the investigation finally slowed.
Arthur sat alone on a bench outside the station, watching emergency lights reflect across the rain-soaked pavement.
Chief Mercer joined him carrying two cups of coffee.
"I wasn't sure whether you drank coffee."
Arthur smiled faintly.
"I stopped twenty years ago."
Mercer laughed softly and handed him a bottle of water instead.
For several minutes neither man spoke.
Finally Mercer broke the silence.
"When I attended detective training, our instructors often quoted someone."
Arthur looked toward him.
"'Facts first. Assumptions last,'" Mercer recited.
Arthur's eyes narrowed slightly.
"I remember saying that."
"So it really was you."
Arthur nodded.
"I taught for only three years."
"They never mentioned why you left."
Arthur looked across the empty parking lot.
"Because my daughter was murdered while helping expose a corruption network."
Mercer froze.
Arthur continued calmly, though sadness lingered beneath every word.
"She believed witnesses deserved protection."
He paused.
"She trusted the wrong people."
The chief lowered his head.
"I... never knew."
"Few people do."
Arthur reached into his coat and removed the old photograph Mercer had noticed earlier.
The smiling young woman in uniform looked no older than twenty-eight.
"Her name was Elena."
Mercer studied the picture carefully.
Then recognition struck him.
He had seen the same face before.
Not in a family album.
Not in an old newspaper.
On a memorial wall inside the State Justice Academy.
The academy's witness protection program had been renamed in her honor years earlier.
Mercer slowly looked back at Arthur.
"You never told anyone you were her father."
Arthur carefully returned the photograph to his pocket.
"My family paid enough for public attention."
Before Mercer could respond, his phone vibrated again.
This time the caller ID displayed only three words.
Federal Integrity Bureau.
Mercer answered immediately.
A calm voice spoke from the other end.
"Chief Mercer, this is Director Collins."
Mercer stood instinctively.
"Yes, sir."
"We've been informed that Arthur Hale is assisting your investigation."
"That's correct."
A brief silence followed.
Then Director Collins said something that made Mercer completely forget the coffee in his hand.
"Protect Mr. Hale at all costs."
The call ended.
Mercer slowly turned toward Arthur.
The old man was already looking toward the dark street across from the station.
A black sedan had been parked there for nearly fifteen minutes.
May you like
Its engine was still running.
And someone inside appeared to be watching every movement Arthur made.
