Chapter 7: The Enemy Inside The Uniform
The sealed file contained more than memories.
It contained names.
Dates.
Evidence.
And one name that made Admiral Reed’s expression change instantly.
Nia noticed.
“Who is that?””
Reed looked at the document.
He did not answer.
“Admiral.””
His eyes lifted.
“That name should not be in that file.””
Victor took the paper.
The moment he read it, his face hardened.
“Impossible.””
Claire stepped closer.
“What?””
Victor handed her the document.
Claire read it.
Then whispered:
“He was involved?””
Nia looked around.
Everyone knew something.
Everyone except her.
“Enough.””
Her voice cut through the group.
Everyone stopped.
“I don’t care who is powerful. I don’t care who has medals. I don’t care who everyone respects.””
She held the file.
“I want the truth.””
Reed looked at her.
Then slowly nodded.
“You’re right.””
Daniel watched his commander carefully.
Reed continued.
“Twenty years ago, Victor uncovered a network inside the military.””
Victor looked down.
“But I couldn’t prove who was behind it.””
Reed pointed to the document.
“Until now.””
Nia looked at the name again.
“Who is he?””
Victor answered.
“A man I trusted.””
The disappointment in his voice was worse than anger.
Nia looked at Reed.
“You knew?””
Reed hesitated.
“I suspected.””
“That’s not an answer.””
“No.””
Reed accepted it.
“It isn’t.””
A notification suddenly appeared on Daniel’s phone.
He looked at the screen.
Then immediately turned pale.
“Sir.””
Reed looked at him.
“What?””
Daniel slowly handed him the phone.
Reed read the message.
Then locked the screen.
Nia noticed.
“What was it?””
Reed looked toward Victor.
“They know we found the file.””
Victor nodded.
“They knew we would.””
Nia stood.
“Who is they?””
Victor looked at her.
“The people who wanted this secret buried.””
A vehicle passed outside the harbor entrance.
Everyone turned.
For a moment, nobody moved.
Then Reed gave an order.
“Secure the area.””
Officers moved immediately.
Daniel looked toward Nia.
“Ma’am, you need to leave.””
Nia almost laughed.
“No.””
Everyone looked at her.
“No more running.””
She looked at Victor.
“No more hiding.””
Then Evelyn.
“No more lies.””
Her voice softened.
“I lost twenty years because everyone decided they knew what was best for me.””
She picked up the folder.
“I decide now.””
Victor looked at her.
And for the first time, he smiled slightly.
Not because he was happy.
Because he was proud.
Then a voice came from behind them.
“Still fighting for the truth, Marcus?””
Everyone froze.
A man walked into the ceremony area.
Black suit.
Silver hair.
Calm smile.
The officers immediately recognized him.
Victor’s face changed.
Nia saw it.
Fear.
The man stopped.
“Hello, Victor.””
Victor stared.
“You should be in prison.””
The man smiled.
“And you should have stayed missing.””
Nia looked between them.
“Who is he?””
Nobody answered.
The man looked at her.
And smiled.
“Your father never told you about me?””
Victor stepped between them.
“Stay away from her.””
The man laughed softly.
“Twenty years later, and you’re still protecting the wrong people.””
Nia felt her stomach tighten.
Because the man was not looking at Victor.
May you like
He was looking at her.
Like he had been waiting to meet her.
