Chapter 21 - The First Name on the List
Backup power returned after nearly forty seconds.
Computers rebooted one by one.
Several evidence files had vanished.
Others remained untouched.
"It wasn't random," the forensic technician reported.
"They knew exactly what they wanted."
Michael hurried to the evidence table.
James Turner's video was still there.
Daniel's recording remained.
But the folder labeled SUCCESSOR had disappeared completely.
No trace.
No deleted-file record.
Nothing.
Officer Ramirez checked the server logs.
"The access came from inside headquarters."
Detective Bennett looked toward the dozen investigators working in the room.
"No one leaves."
Every officer surrendered their phones.
Computers were isolated from the network.
Meanwhile, Ethan quietly tugged at Michael's sleeve.
"Dad..."
"What is it?"
"I remember another name."
Michael knelt beside him.
"The old man used to whisper it."
"What name?"
Ethan closed his eyes, trying to remember.
"He always said..."
"...when the first name returns..."
"...everyone else follows."
"What first name?"
The child spoke softly.
"Samuel."
The room fell silent.
Michael immediately remembered the old photograph from his father's attic.
James Turner.
Victor Hale.
Daniel Cross.
Samuel Reed.
Everyone had focused on Daniel.
Almost no one had investigated Samuel.
Detective Bennett immediately ordered a search of every archived record connected to Samuel Reed.
Less than five minutes later, a young analyst ran into the room.
"I found him."
"Alive?"
"No."
"Dead?"
"I don't know."
The analyst projected an old census document onto the screen.
Samuel Reed officially died twenty-three years ago.
But his Social Security number had been used...
Three weeks ago.
To purchase a train ticket.
The destination was only forty miles away.
A tiny abandoned town.
Population: 112.
Michael stared at the location.
Something about the name felt strangely familiar.
Then his mother, Helen, who had remained silent throughout the investigation, slowly whispered from the back of the room:
"I grew up there."
Every eye turned toward her.
She looked terrified.
May you like
"I never told Michael..."
"...because that's where everything first began."
