Chapter 7 - The Second SurvivorRyan's death changed everything.
The police called it murder.
Marcus called it a warning.
I called it proof.
Someone was eliminating witnesses.
Vanessa disappeared before investigators could question her.
I knew she'd run.
But I also knew she would leave something behind.
She always did.
People who were frightened enough to betray everyone rarely stopped halfway.
Three hours later, Marcus found a hidden folder in the church.
Inside was a list of names.
Some were crossed out.
Some had dates beside them.
One name was circled.
Mine.
Next to it:
TRUSTEE
Another name was circled twice.
EMILY
Then a third.
LILY
But beneath Lily's name was another notation.
SECOND SURVIVOR.
I stared at it.
“Who is the second survivor?”
Marcus shook his head.
“We don't know.”
At 2:15 a.m., my phone rang.
Blocked number.
I answered.
A woman's voice whispered:
“James?”
“Who is this?”
“I know where Emily is.”
My heart slammed.
“Tell me.”
“You're closer than you think.”
“Where?”
“The old Meridian Hotel.”
“Why should I trust you?”
“Because I was there.”
“Who are you?”
Silence.
Then:
“Your sister saved my life.”
The call ended.
Marcus was already grabbing his coat.
The Meridian Hotel had been abandoned for years.
We arrived just before dawn.
The building smelled of mold and rust.
Floor after floor was empty.
Until we reached room 814.
The door was open.
Inside sat a woman.
Early thirties.
Bruised.
Terrified.
She stood slowly.
“My name is Rachel.”
“Where's Emily?”
Rachel looked at me.
“She was taken.”
“By whom?”
“Edward.”
“Edward Cross?”
She nodded.
“How do you know him?”
Rachel's eyes filled with tears.
“Because I was his daughter.”
Marcus and I exchanged a glance.
“Daniel's sister?”
“Yes.”
“What happened to Emily?”
Rachel swallowed.
“She discovered what Black Compass was really protecting.”
“What?”
“Not money.”
“Then what?”
Rachel pointed toward a locked cabinet.
“People.”
She explained that Black Compass had spent years collecting evidence on powerful individuals.
Politicians.
Executives.
Judges.
Police officials.
Instead of exposing them, Edward used the information to control them.
Emily discovered the archive.
Then she disappeared.
“Why keep her alive?”
Rachel answered immediately.
“Because Emily stole the master key.”
“What master key?”
“A digital archive containing evidence on everyone.”
My grandfather had built it.
Edward had weaponized it.
And Emily had taken it.
“Where is it?”
Rachel looked at me.
“She hid it somewhere only you could access.”
My skin prickled.
“Why me?”
“Because your grandfather knew you wouldn't use it.”
A noise came from the hallway.
Rachel froze.
“They're here.”
Marcus drew his weapon.
The door slammed shut.
Footsteps approached.
Rachel whispered:
“If they catch me, they'll know where the archive is.”
I turned.
“Where?”
She grabbed my hand.
“At your childhood home.”
My stomach dropped.
We hadn't been there in years.
Because after my parents died, my grandfather had sealed it.
And Ryan had bought the property two years ago.
The footsteps stopped outside.
Then someone whispered:
“Open the door, James.”
Edward Cross.
I had never met him.
But I knew his voice.
May you like
And he said the next sentence slowly.
“Your sister has been waiting for you.”
