Chapter 3 - The First Lie
Nobody inside the safe house spoke for several seconds.
Adrian stared at the photograph.
The anger inside him was almost physical.
Marcus had known.
Maybe not for eight months.
Maybe not even for eight days.
But he had known long enough to watch Grace.
Long enough to photograph Lily.
Long enough to reach the yellow room.
That meant the safe house was already compromised.
Adrian turned toward one of his men.
“Daniel.”
Daniel Cross stepped forward.
He had once served with Thomas Kane before leaving Vale Security after a dispute with Marcus.
“Seal the building.”
“No phones out.”
“No vehicles leave.”
“Check every camera from the last seventy-two hours.”
Daniel nodded.
“Done.”
Grace hugged Lily tighter.
“How did he get inside?”
Adrian studied the envelope.
“He may not have.”
Grace looked confused.
“Then how did that get under her pillow?”
Adrian turned toward Emma.
The little girl was sitting quietly beside the crib.
“Emma.”
She looked up.
“Did anyone come into Lily’s room today?”
Emma shook her head.
“Yesterday?”
Another shake.
“Did anyone give you something for Lily?”
Emma looked down at her rabbit.
Grace crouched.
“Sweetheart.”
“You’re not in trouble.”
Emma slowly nodded.
“A man gave me paper.”
Adrian’s pulse changed.
“Where?”
“At the big house.”
The memorial.
Grace stared at her daughter.
“What man?”
Emma hugged her rabbit.
“He said put it where Lily sleeps.”
Adrian crouched.
“What did he look like?”
Emma thought carefully.
“He had shiny hair.”
“That’s all?”
“And a wolf.”
Adrian went still.
“A wolf?”
Emma touched her finger.
“On his ring.”
Daniel Cross looked sharply at Adrian.
Adrian understood immediately.
A silver wolf had been the symbol used by Vale Security’s old intelligence division.
Only five men had ever received that ring.
Thomas Kane had one.
Adrian had one.
Marcus had one.
The other two men were dead.
Or were supposed to be.
Adrian looked at Daniel.
“Get me the funeral footage.”
Within minutes, dozens of camera feeds appeared across monitors.
They watched guests enter.
Politicians.
Lawyers.
Businessmen.
Old enemies pretending to mourn.
Then Emma appeared near the reception hall.
A man approached her.
Tall.
Gray suit.
His face remained turned from the camera.
He crouched.
Handed Emma the envelope.
Then disappeared into the crowd.
Daniel froze the image.
The man’s hand was visible.
A silver wolf ring reflected beneath the chandelier.
Grace whispered.
“Marcus?”
Adrian shook his head.
“Marcus was standing beside me at that moment.”
Daniel enlarged the man’s wrist.
A scar crossed the skin beneath his watch.
Daniel stepped closer.
“No.”
Adrian looked at him.
Daniel’s face had gone pale.
“I know that scar.”
“Who?”
Daniel swallowed.
“Thomas Kane.”
Grace stared at the screen.
“That’s impossible.”
Daniel looked at Adrian.
“Thomas is alive.”
Adrian’s eyes remained fixed on the image.
Then his phone rang.
Unknown number.
Adrian answered.
Nobody spoke.
He waited.
Finally, a familiar voice whispered.
“You finally found her.”
Adrian stood completely still.
“Thomas?”
“Yes.”
“Where are you?”
Thomas ignored the question.
“Listen carefully.”
“There are two traitors.”
Adrian’s eyes narrowed.
“You already know the first.”
“Marcus.”
“Yes.”
Thomas took a labored breath.
“But Marcus never planned the ambush.”
Adrian felt the room grow colder.
“Then who did?”
Thomas answered with four words.
May you like
“Someone in your family.”
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