Emily woke inside a parked medical transport van.

Her wrists weren't restrained.

The door was locked.

Across from her sat Marcus Reed.

Emily stared at him.

“You.”

Marcus raised both hands.

“Before you panic, I'm getting you out.”

“You expect me to believe that?”

“No.”

“Where are we?”

“Parking structure near Lakeshore.”

Emily reached for the door.

Locked.

Marcus handed her a phone.

“Call Victor.”

She stared at him.

“Why?”

“Because Alexander's people infiltrated the hospital transfer system. I intercepted the van before they could take you.”

Emily took the phone.

Victor answered immediately.

“Emily?”

She closed her eyes.

“I'm okay.”

Victor exhaled.

“Where are you?”

She gave him the location.

“I'll be there in ten minutes.”

Marcus shook his head.

“Tell him not to come.”

Emily ignored him.

“Marcus is here.”

Silence.

Victor's voice changed.

“Is he threatening you?”

“No.”

Marcus muttered, “That's surprisingly generous.”

Emily glared at him.

Victor said, “Stay on the phone.”

“Victor, there's something else.”

“What?”

“Your father mentioned the original ledger, didn't he?”

Victor was silent.

Emily knew.

“I thought so.”

“Where is it?”

“I destroyed it.”

Marcus stared at her.

Victor said, “Why?”

“Because it contained names of innocent employees and families alongside people who actually committed crimes. Alexander could use it to ruin hundreds of lives.”

“And the documents you saved?”

“Only evidence connected to actual crimes.”

Victor understood.

“You separated them.”

“Yes.”

Marcus shook his head.

“For three years?”

Emily looked at him.

“For longer.”

Victor's voice softened.

“Emily, why didn't you come to me?”

“Because when I started, I didn't know which Victor Callaway you were.”

“What does that mean?”

“Your father's son.”

She paused.

“Or your mother's.”

Silence followed.

Then Victor said, “And now?”

Emily looked through the rain-streaked window.

“Now I know.”

Ten minutes later, Victor arrived with Dominic and legitimate law enforcement escorts.

Marcus stepped out first.

Dominic immediately confronted him.

“Hands where I can see them.”

Marcus obeyed.

Victor ignored him.

He went directly to Emily.

She climbed slowly from the van.

For several seconds, neither spoke.

Then Victor said, “You look terrible.”

Emily stared at him.

“So do you.”

Dominic almost smiled.

Victor offered Emily his hand.

She took it.

He helped her down.

“Alexander?”

“Under arrest.”

“And the evidence?”

“Safe.”

Emily exhaled.

“It isn't finished.”

“No.”

Victor looked at Marcus.

“But it's close.”

Marcus gave investigators everything he knew.

Safe houses.

Accounts.

Names.

Records.

He admitted planting the bomb but provided evidence that Alexander had ordered it as part of the plan to expose Emily.

It didn't erase what Marcus had done.

But it helped dismantle what remained of Alexander's network.

Over the next three weeks, arrests followed.

Officials resigned.

Accounts were frozen.

Victor voluntarily opened his legitimate businesses to independent audits.

Dominic thought he had lost his mind.

“You realize this will cost millions?”

Victor signed another document.

“Yes.”

“You're strangely calm about that.”

“I have millions.”

“That's your argument?”

Victor looked up.

“I'd rather lose money than spend another twelve years wondering which part of my life is a lie.”

Dominic considered that.

“Fair.”

Then he placed another envelope on Victor's desk.

“What is that?”

“Emily's resignation.”

Victor stopped.

“What?”

“She left it this morning.”

Victor opened the envelope.

The letter was short.

Mr. Callaway,

You no longer need me to protect you.

For the first time, you are surrounded by people who know the truth.

Your mother would be proud of the choice you made.

Please don't come looking for me.

—Emily Parker

Victor stared at the final sentence.

Dominic leaned against the desk.

“So?”

“So what?”

“Are you going to respect that?”

Victor looked at him.

Dominic sighed.

“Stupid question.”

Victor stood.

“Where is she?”

“I don't know.”

“You're operations chief.”

“Not a magician.”

Victor picked up his coat.

Dominic smiled.

“Where are you going?”

Victor paused at the door.

“To take two buses to Pilsen.”

---