Chapter 20 - The Tape Recorder
As evening settled over the lake, the rescue team returned to their mobile command vehicle parked beside the dock.
One technician carefully connected an old cassette player powered by a portable battery.
The room became completely silent.
Elias placed Jacob's tape inside the recorder.
He pressed Play.
Static filled the speaker.
For several seconds, nothing happened.
Then a familiar voice emerged.
"If you're hearing this..."
Elias closed his eyes.
He recognized Jacob immediately.
"...it means I didn't make it back."
Everyone remained motionless.
Jacob continued speaking.
"I don't have much time. They know I've been collecting evidence. If Captain Elias Reed finds this recording, tell him I was right about the second cache."
Elias slowly opened his eyes.
"Second cache?" the rescue team leader whispered.
Jacob's recorded voice continued.
"The documents are only the beginning. The real evidence was never hidden under the dock."
The tape suddenly crackled.
A loud metallic bang echoed in the background of the recording.
Jacob's breathing became faster.
"They're here..."
Then the recording stopped abruptly.
The cassette player clicked.
Silence returned.
No one moved.
May you like
Outside, across the dark surface of the lake, a single flashlight flickered three times from the opposite shore...
As if someone had just heard the recording too.
