Chapter 15 - The MoleHale took the photograph.
His expression didn't change.
But Ava noticed his hand tighten.
"My supervisor?"
Martin nodded.
"Your department has been compromised for years."
"You're lying."
"Maybe."
Martin opened the folder.
"But explain this."
Bank transfers.
Internal memos.
Phone records.
Meetings between Daniel's company and Hale's supervisor.
Hale stared at the evidence.
He recognized the dates.
Some were before Ava's first report.
Some were after.
"Where did you get these?"
Martin smiled.
"You should ask Daniel."
Ava stepped forward.
"You're working for him."
Martin shook his head.
"Not anymore."
"Why should we believe you?"
"You shouldn't."
That answer caught her off guard.
Martin closed the folder.
"Belief is exactly how men like Daniel survive."
Hale studied him.
"Then why help us?"
"Because I underestimated him."
Martin looked toward the church door.
"I thought I was representing a difficult client."
He glanced at Ava.
"I didn't realize I was representing a man who intended to burn the entire system down if he couldn't control it."
Elena's voice was quiet.
"Where is he?"
Martin answered:
"Not far."
"Where?"
"Under the city."
Hale frowned.
"Underground tunnels?"
Martin nodded.
"Old infrastructure. Service routes."
"You're certain?"
"I used them once."
Ava stared at him.
"Why?"
Martin hesitated.
"Daniel doesn't trust banks."
Hale understood.
"He stores things."
"Everything."
"Money?"
"Money."
"Documents?"
"Documents."
"People?"
Martin looked away.
The silence was enough.
Ava felt sick.
"Claire?"
Martin shook his head.
"I don't know."
Claire stepped forward.
"You're lying."
Martin looked at her.
"I remember you."
Claire froze.
"How?"
"I handled the legal paperwork."
"After I disappeared."
"Yes."
"You knew."
"I knew enough."
Claire slapped him.
The sound echoed through the church.
Martin didn't move.
"I deserved that."
Hale stepped between them.
"Where is the tunnel entrance?"
Martin gave him an address.
An old subway maintenance station.
Before they left, Ava noticed something.
Martin's wristwatch.
It was identical to one worn by the man in the photograph.
Victor.
She pointed.
"Where did you get that?"
Martin looked down.
Then his face changed.
"I didn't."
Ava's pulse raced.
The watch had been on Victor's wrist.
She had seen it in the photo.
Martin whispered:
"That's not my watch."
He removed it.
On the back was a tiny engraving.
V.L.
Victor Lane.
Martin looked genuinely frightened.
Someone had put it on him.
Someone who knew they'd find him.
Someone who wanted them to believe Martin was connected to Victor.
Hale looked at Ava.
"We're being followed."
The church lights went out.
A gunshot cracked through the darkness.
Then another.
Everyone dropped.
When the emergency lights flickered on again...
Martin was gone.
May you like
And on the floor where he'd been standing was a single note.
YOU'RE THREE DAYS TOO LATE.
