Chapter 9 - The Chief of Security
Emergency lights slowly illuminated the corridor in deep red.
A tall man emerged from the shadows wearing a perfectly tailored black suit.
His silver hair was neatly combed.
His posture remained military.
Daniel instinctively stepped between Richard and the stranger.
The man smiled politely.
"You've grown cautious."
Richard narrowed his eyes.
"Edward Collins."
Daniel looked back and forth between them.
"You know him?"
Richard nodded slowly.
"I hired Edward as the hotel's first Director of Security."
Edward bowed slightly.
"You gave me my career."
"You disappeared fifteen years ago."
"I resigned."
Richard's voice hardened.
"You vanished."
Edward ignored the correction.
"I wondered whether you would ever return."
Daniel studied him carefully.
He carried no visible weapon.
Yet his confidence suggested complete control.
Richard looked around the hidden hallway.
"You built this?"
Edward smiled.
"No."
"I maintained it."
Richard frowned.
"Maintained... for whom?"
Edward's smile faded.
"That answer comes later."
He slowly removed an old leather folder.
Inside were contracts bearing Richard's signature.
Original construction permits.
Ownership amendments.
Engineering revisions.
Everything appeared authentic.
Richard turned several pages.
Then stopped.
One document carried Jonathan's signature.
Dated three days before his disappearance.
"What is this?"
Edward watched him carefully.
"The final project your son approved."
Richard stared at the page.
"I never authorized this construction."
"No."
"Because Jonathan did."
Silence filled the tunnel.
Daniel looked over Richard's shoulder.
The plans described an underground expansion beneath the hotel's foundation.
Observation rooms.
Secure archives.
Private meeting chambers.
Underground vehicle access.
Richard slowly shook his head.
"This isn't a hotel."
Edward answered quietly.
"It never remained just a hotel."
Before Richard could question further, footsteps echoed from behind.
Dozens of them.
Security personnel wearing hotel uniforms entered both ends of the corridor.
None carried firearms.
Instead...
Each wore the same silver pin on the lapel.
Richard recognized it instantly.
It had once symbolized loyalty to the Morgan family.
Edward noticed Richard staring.
"Most of them don't know who truly commands them anymore."
One young officer stepped forward nervously.
"Sir..."
He wasn't speaking to Edward.
He was looking directly at Richard.
"My grandfather worked for you."
May you like
Edward closed his eyes briefly.
The balance inside the tunnel had begun to change.
