Chapter 5 - THE MAN IN THE BLUE JACKETJames couldn't move.

Charles Mercer was standing ten feet away.

Rain dripped from his jacket.

The silver watch glinted beneath the fluorescent light.

The same watch Connor had described.

James stared at it.

"You were there."

Charles's expression changed.

"Where?"

"With Elena."

Charles did not answer.

James took one step backward.

"Did you kill her?"

Charles looked genuinely hurt.

"No."

"Then why are you here?"

"To keep you alive."

James laughed once, bitterly.

"You followed me into an abandoned warehouse in the middle of the night."

"I followed you because you're making the same mistake your father made."

"What mistake?"

"Believing the truth protects people."

Charles moved toward the locker.

James blocked him.

"You knew about this."

"I knew enough."

"You knew about Elena."

"Yes."

"You knew about my father's investigation."

"Yes."

James's voice shook.

"And you never told me."

Charles looked at him.

"Your father was convinced he could expose Northstar. He thought names and bank records would be enough."

"What happened?"

"He discovered the people behind it."

"Who?"

Charles looked toward the broken window.

"People with enough money to erase evidence."

"Who?"

Charles hesitated.

Then:

"Victor Hale."

James knew the name.

CEO of Hale Development.

One of Austin's most powerful businessmen.

Hale was leading the redevelopment project that would transform the old rail district.

James stared at Charles.

"Why would Hale need fake ownership records?"

"Because the land was worth billions."

James's expression hardened.

"They were stealing properties?"

"Not just properties."

Charles pointed toward the recorder.

"Families."

James looked confused.

"How?"

"They would buy distressed blocks through shell companies. Then create violations. Force residents out. Buy again through another company. By the time anyone challenged the paperwork, the original owners were gone."

James swallowed.

"And Elena found it."

"She found a ledger."

"Where is it?"

Charles's eyes shifted.

"You already have the first clue."

James picked up the child's drawing.

"The boy."

Charles nodded.

"Elena hid the ledger where nobody would search."

"Where?"

Charles looked at James.

"With her son."

James's stomach dropped.

"Connor?"

Before Charles could answer, a loud crash came from outside.

A vehicle slammed through the yard gate.

Charles stepped back.

"Get down."

James ducked.

A gunshot shattered the window.

Charles pulled James behind the metal locker.

Another shot.

Then another.

Charles whispered, "They know we're here."

James stared at him.

"Who?"

Charles's face was pale.

"Not Victor."

A vehicle door slammed outside.

Charles checked his watch.

"They've come for Connor."

James's blood went cold.

Connor and Elliot were at the house.

He grabbed his phone.

No signal.

Then a text appeared.

YOU HAVE TEN MINUTES.

A second message followed.

BRING THE BOY TO BUILDING 14.

Then a photo.

Elliot and Connor sitting at James's kitchen table.

Taken from inside the house.

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James stared at the screen.

Someone was already there.