Chapter 13: The Fingerprint That Didn't Belong
The room fell completely silent.
Julian stared at the forensic report.
"There has to be a mistake."
The forensic analyst shook his head.
"We ran the comparison three times."
He slid the report across the table.
"The match probability is over 99.9%."
Julian's eyes scanned the document.
The fingerprint recovered from the hidden safe inside the cabin...
Matched his right thumb.
Impossible.
"I've never been to that cabin."
The analyst answered calmly.
"I'm not saying you have."
"I'm saying your fingerprint was."
The lead detective folded his arms.
"When was the last time you submitted fingerprints?"
Julian thought for a moment.
"Years ago."
"For my concealed-carry permit."
"And before that?"
"When Vance Holdings upgraded its security."
The detective looked at him.
"Who handled the installation?"
Julian's expression darkened.
"Marcus Hale."
The room finally understood.
Marcus had complete access to Julian's biometric records.
The forensic analyst nodded.
"It would have been easy."
"Lift a clean print from a glass."
"Duplicate it using silicone."
"Transfer it to an object."
Julian exhaled slowly.
"They planted my fingerprint."
"Exactly."
"But why?" Clara asked.
The detective answered.
"To make it look like Mr. Vance was involved."
"If Project Echo was ever exposed..."
"...the evidence would point back to him."
Julian clenched his jaw.
"They planned for every possibility."
Just then, another detective entered carrying a cardboard evidence box recovered from Marcus Hale's office.
"We finally decrypted one of the hard drives."
He connected it to a secure computer.
A list of folders appeared.
Most contained surveillance reports.
Financial records.
Travel logs.
Then one folder caught everyone's attention.
INSURANCE
Julian frowned.
"Insurance?"
The detective opened it.
Inside were dozens of encrypted videos.
One file had today's date.
He clicked it.
Marcus Hale appeared on the screen.
Alive.
Uninjured.
He looked directly into the camera.
"If you're watching this..."
"...I'm probably dead."
Julian felt a knot form in his stomach.
Marcus continued.
"I always knew Evelyn would eliminate me."
"That's why I recorded everything."
He reached for a thick folder beside him.
"The fingerprint on the cabin safe belongs to Julian."
"Because I put it there."
The room went still.
Marcus looked ashamed.
"Julian never knew."
"He never visited the cabin."
"I fabricated the evidence under Evelyn's orders."
The lead detective looked toward the forensic analyst.
"That clears Mr. Vance."
Marcus continued speaking.
"If you want to understand Project Echo..."
"...stop asking who Evelyn is."
"Ask who finances her."
The video ended.
The detective immediately searched the remaining folders.
One document stood out.
Funding Sources
He opened it.
A web of shell companies appeared on the screen.
Money had moved through dozens of countries.
Layer after layer.
Until every trail converged on a single foundation.
The room fell silent.
Ashcroft Foundation
Julian frowned.
"I've heard that name."
One detective searched public records.
"It's one of the oldest charitable foundations in the country."
"It funds hospitals."
"Universities."
"Medical research."
Clara suddenly looked up.
"The hospital..."
Julian turned.
"What hospital?"
"The one where I woke up after the accident."
She closed her eyes.
"The logo."
"I've seen it before."
"It was on every document."
The detective enlarged the foundation's emblem.
Clara nodded immediately.
"That's it."
The lead detective leaned back.
"So Project Echo wasn't funded by criminals."
"It was hidden behind a respected charity."
Julian looked at the screen.
"Someone used philanthropy as a disguise."
Before anyone could respond, a technician hurried into the room.
"Detective!"
"We've recovered deleted emails."
"From Marcus?"
"Yes."
He opened the newest message.
There was no greeting.
No signature.
Only one sentence.
Move Subject C before Blackwood is compromised.
Attached to the email...
Was a photograph.
Julian's breath caught.
It showed Clara.
Standing inside the burned conservatory.
But she wasn't alone.
A little girl—no older than eight—was holding Clara's hand.
The girl's face was clearly visible.
Clara stared at the picture.
Tears filled her eyes.
"I remember her."
Julian looked at her.
"Who is she?"
Clara whispered,
"I don't know her name..."
"But Evelyn called her..."
She struggled to remember.
Then the memory came rushing back.
'She's the next Echo.'
The room fell into stunned silence.
The investigation was no longer about what had happened four years ago.
May you like
Somewhere...
Another victim had already been chosen.
