Chapter 9 - My Grandfather's Final MessageMy grandfather's voice echoed through the underground chamber.
“For years, I believed control was the only way to protect the people I loved.”
I stared at the speakers.
“But control creates monsters.”
Edward Cross looked furious.
“You don't understand.”
My grandfather continued.
“I created Black Compass to gather information on threats before they became disasters.”
The screens flickered.
Photographs appeared.
Corrupt executives.
Kidnappers.
Traffickers.
Criminal organizations.
Then the images changed.
Black Compass agents.
Threats.
Assassinations.
People disappearing.
The organization had grown beyond him.
“I gave Edward Cross too much freedom.”
Edward shouted:
“Enough!”
A warning alarm sounded.
Marcus moved toward the control system.
“What happens if that file finishes?”
Edward looked at me.
“Everyone dies.”
I stared.
“What?”
“The archive will automatically release.”
“To who?”
“Everyone.”
The screens displayed a countdown.
17:42:09
Seventeen hours.
Marcus looked at me.
“That's not a countdown to destruction.”
“What is it?”
“Release.”
Rachel whispered:
“Your grandfather built a dead man's switch.”
Edward stepped forward.
“You have seventeen hours to give me the key.”
“And if I don't?”
“Governments collapse.”
He pointed at the screens.
“You will destroy innocent people along with guilty ones.”
I looked at him.
“You've been threatening people for decades.”
“Yes.”
“Then why should I believe your concern now?”
His answer surprised me.
“Because some names in that archive belong to people you love.”
The room went quiet.
He pressed a button.
One photograph appeared.
My mother.
Another.
My father.
I stared.
Neither had ever been connected to Black Compass.
Or so I thought.
Edward said:
“They were witnesses.”
My breath stopped.
“What did they witness?”
He smiled.
“Your grandfather gave your parents a choice.”
“What choice?”
“They could join him.”
“They refused.”
“What happened?”
Edward didn't answer.
Rachel started crying.
“That's not true.”
Edward looked at her.
“Isn't it?”
She stepped forward.
“You killed them.”
I turned toward Edward.
My entire body was shaking.
“You killed my parents?”
“No.”
He paused.
“Your grandfather did.”
I wanted to attack him.
Marcus grabbed my arm.
“Don't.”
Edward continued.
“Your parents tried to expose the archive.”
I couldn't breathe.
My entire childhood had been built on a lie.
I thought my parents died in an accident.
But now I learned they were witnesses.
And perhaps victims.
Then another photograph appeared.
Emily.
Holding the archive key.
My grandfather stood behind her.
And beneath the photograph was a handwritten note.
Emily knows the truth. James does not.
I looked at the screen.
“What truth?”
Edward smiled.
“Ask your sister.”
A monitor flickered.
A live video appeared.
Emily was sitting in a dark room.
She looked directly into the camera.
“James, I'm sorry.”
I stepped forward.
“Emily?”
She whispered:
“There's something I never told you.”
The video froze.
Then one final message appeared.
YOU WERE NEVER THE TRUSTEE.
I stared at the words.
Marcus looked confused.
“Then who was?”
May you like
The answer appeared beneath it.
LILY.
