Chapter 11 - The Man Behind the Locked DoorWe waited for confirmation.
The search team had discovered a reinforced interior room connected to the warehouse's former security office.
Someone was inside.
The person had been found conscious but in poor physical condition.
Medical personnel were assessing him.
Evan stood beside me.
Neither of us dared speak.
Finally, Bennett's phone rang.
She answered.
“Bennett.”
A pause.
Then her shoulders relaxed.
“Understood.”
She ended the call.
I could barely breathe.
“Laura?”
She looked at Evan.
“It's your father.”
For a moment, he didn't react.
Then he whispered, “What?”
“Daniel Carter has been located alive.”
Evan staggered backward.
Mason caught his arm.
“He's alive?”
“Yes.”
“Can I see him?”
“Doctors need to assess his condition first.”
Evan nodded rapidly.
“Okay.”
Then he covered his face.
I turned toward the window because I couldn't trust myself to speak.
Eight years.
Eight years of searching through memories.
Eight years of wondering whether I'd abandoned a man who had once saved my life.
Now he was alive.
But he wasn't safe yet.
The following afternoon, Bennett arranged for Evan and me to visit Daniel at a hospital after the medical team determined he could receive visitors.
Evan stopped outside the room.
His hands trembled.
“I don't know what to say.”
“You don't have to prepare anything.”
“What if he doesn't recognize me?”
I looked at him.
“He spoke your name on that recording.”
Evan nodded.
Then he opened the door.
Daniel Carter was lying in a hospital bed.
His hair had turned gray.
His face was thinner.
A healing scar crossed his forehead.
But when he saw Evan, his eyes widened.
“Evan?”
The young Marine froze.
Daniel tried to sit up.
“My God.”
Evan stepped forward.
“Dad?”
Daniel began crying.
“My boy.”
Evan reached the bed.
They embraced carefully, mindful of Daniel's injuries.
Neither could speak for several moments.
I stood near the doorway.
I'd seen soldiers reunited with families before.
But nothing had prepared me for the sound Daniel made when he held his son.
It was grief, relief, disbelief, and love all tangled together.
Eventually, Evan pulled back.
“I thought you were dead.”
Daniel nodded.
“I know.”
“Mom thought you were dead.”
His father's face crumpled.
“I know.”
Evan's voice shook.
“Why didn't you come home?”
“I tried.”
Daniel reached for his hand.
“I tried every day.”
Evan lowered his forehead toward their joined hands.
I gave them space.
A few minutes later, Daniel noticed me.
“Rebecca.”
I stepped closer.
He smiled weakly.
“You got my envelope.”
“Yes.”
“Took you long enough.”
Despite the tears in my eyes, I laughed.
“Still making jokes?”
“Somebody has to.”
Then his expression changed.
“Rebecca, Hale knows I'm alive.”
“We know.”
“No.”
Daniel gripped my wrist.
“You don't understand.”
“What?”
“He's been cooperating with Voss for years, but now Voss is frightened.”
“Why?”
“Because Hale kept something.”
“What did he keep?”
Daniel's voice dropped.
“The original operational recordings.”
I leaned closer.
“Where?”
“In a private archive.”
“Do you know the location?”
Daniel nodded.
May you like
Then he whispered:
“General Whitaker's office.”
Related Stories
