Chapter 5: The Woman Behind the Gate
“Ruby!””
The little girl shot to her feet.
“Mom!””
She ran toward the office door.
Harris caught her before she reached it.
“Wait.””
“That's her!””
“You don't know that.””
“I know my mom's voice!””
Ruby struggled against his arm.
“Let me go!””
Harris held her firmly but gently.
“Lewis, check the perimeter.””
Lewis drew his radio.
“Perimeter team, report.””
Nothing.
He tried again.
“Perimeter team, report!””
Static answered.
Ruby's breathing quickened.
“She said my name.””
Harris looked at the dark monitors.
Every screen had gone black.
“That wasn't a coincidence.””
A hard knock came from the outer gate.
Everyone froze.
Knock.
Knock.
Knock.
Lewis moved toward the window.
Harris stepped in front of Ruby.
“Stay behind me.””
The knocking stopped.
Then a woman's voice came through the gate.
“Colonel Harris.””
Harris's face changed.
He knew that voice.
But it couldn't be real.
He walked toward the window.
Lewis whispered, “Sir, don't.””
Harris ignored him.
The security light illuminated a woman standing outside the chain barrier.
She wore a dark coat.
Her hair was pulled back.
Her face was pale and exhausted.
Ruby gasped.
“Mom!””
Harris's hand tightened around the edge of the desk.
“Amelia.””
The woman lifted both hands.
“Don't come closer.””
Ruby cried, “Mom!””
Amelia looked directly at her.
“Ruby, stay where you are.””
“But you're here!””
“I know.””
“Are you okay?””
Amelia swallowed.
“No.””
Ruby's eyes filled.
Harris opened the office door.
Amelia immediately stepped backward.
“Stay inside.””
Harris stopped.
“You said Daniel is alive.””
Amelia's eyes flicked toward him.
“I shouldn't have told you.””
“Where is he?””
“I don't know.””
“You just said he's alive.””
“I said what they wanted me to say.””
Harris's face hardened.
“Who are they?””
Amelia looked past him at Ruby.
“They're listening.””
Lewis glanced at the ceiling.
Harris lowered his voice.
“Then tell me what you can.””
Amelia stepped closer to the gate.
“Eight years ago, Daniel didn't die.””
Harris stared at her.
“I saw the report.””
“You saw a report.””
“I attended the memorial.””
“I know.””
“You let me bury an empty coffin?””
Amelia's eyes filled with tears.
“I was trying to keep you alive.””
Harris's voice shook.
“You disappeared.””
“I had to.””
“You left your niece.””
“I took Ruby with me.””
Harris stared at her.
“Ruby was a baby.””
“I know.””
“Why?””
Amelia looked at Ruby.
“Because Daniel told me to.””
Ruby whispered, “Why?””
Amelia looked at her daughter.
“Because your father was being hunted.””
The words seemed to stop the air.
Harris stared at Amelia.
“Your father?””
Ruby looked confused.
“I don't have a father.””
Amelia closed her eyes.
“Yes, you do.””
“Who?””
Amelia looked toward Harris.
Harris's expression changed.
“Amelia.””
“I can't say his name.””
Ruby stepped forward.
“Why?””
“Because if they hear it, they will know where he is.””
Harris moved closer.
“Where is he?””
Amelia shook her head.
“I don't know.””
“You expect me to believe that?””
“I expect you to understand what happens when people know too much.””
Harris's eyes hardened.
“You should have come to me.””
“I tried.””
“When?””
“Three times.””
“I never saw you.””
“Because you weren't supposed to.””
Ruby wiped her tears.
“Mom, why did you tell me to come here?””
Amelia looked at her.
“Because I knew eventually I'd lose you.””
Ruby shook her head.
“You won't.””
Amelia's expression broke.
“Oh, baby…”
She pressed her fingers against the metal gate.
Ruby reached toward her.
Harris noticed something.
Amelia's wrist had a fresh bruise.
“Who did that?””
Amelia pulled her sleeve down.
“No one.””
“Don't lie to me.””
“Harris, listen.””
“No.””
He stepped closer.
“You vanished for eight years. You let me believe my brother was dead. You raised a child who didn't even know my name. Now you appear outside my gate and tell me someone is hunting her.””
Amelia's eyes hardened.
“Because they are.””
“Who?””
She looked toward the road.
The black sedan was gone.
Then she whispered:
“The people who killed Daniel's identity.””
Harris frowned.
“What does that mean?””
Amelia reached into her coat.
Lewis immediately raised his weapon.
“Hands where I can see them!””
Amelia froze.
“I'm not armed.””
She slowly pulled out a small envelope.
She held it through the gate.
“For Ruby.””
Harris took it.
The envelope was old.
Her name was written across the front.
*RUBY.*
Ruby stared.
“What is it?””
“Something your mother should have given you years ago.””
Harris opened the envelope.
Inside was a birth certificate.
His eyes moved across the page.
Then stopped.
He looked at Ruby.
His face went completely white.
Ruby stepped closer.
“What does it say?””
Harris couldn't speak.
Amelia whispered from the other side of the gate.
“I was afraid you'd find out this way.””
Ruby looked from her mother to Harris.
“Find out what?””
Harris slowly turned the certificate toward the light.
The father's name was printed clearly.
*DANIEL HARRIS.*
Ruby stared.
“My uncle?””
Amelia shook her head.
“No.””
Harris's breathing stopped.
Ruby looked at him.
“Then who is he?””
Before either adult could answer, a gunshot cracked somewhere beyond the base perimeter.
Amelia spun toward the sound.
“Ruby, get down!””
Harris grabbed Ruby.
Lewis rushed toward the gate.
May you like
And Amelia suddenly screamed—
“DON'T LET THEM SEE HER FACE!””
