Chapter 11 - THE SECOND NETWORK
The man in the photograph was Victor Lang.
Ethan recognized the name.
Victor had been one of his father's oldest business partners.
He had vanished shortly after the investigation began.
Marcus explained that Victor had managed the offshore accounts.
“He was the one who moved the money.”
Ethan stared at the photograph.
“Why would he contact us?”
“He wants us scared.”
Vanessa shook her head.
“No.”
Everyone looked at her.
“He wants us looking in the wrong direction.”
Marcus frowned.
“What do you mean?”
Vanessa pointed toward the photograph.
“Look at the background.”
Ethan zoomed in.
Behind Victor was a building.
A hotel.
Vanessa recognized it.
“I've been there.”
“When?”
“Years ago.”
She remembered something.
A meeting.
A woman.
A red folder.
She had forgotten the details because she had been terrified.
Marcus looked at her.
“You remember?”
“Not everything.”
They drove to the hotel.
The building had been abandoned.
Inside, they found an old office.
A desk remained.
So did a locked drawer.
Ethan forced it open.
Inside was a single folder.
It contained photographs of Lily.
Taken over several years.
School.
Birthday parties.
Family vacations.
Someone had been watching her.
Vanessa began trembling.
“This isn't about money anymore.”
Ethan nodded.
“They're targeting our family.”
A sound came from upstairs.
Everyone froze.
Marcus reached for the flashlight.
Footsteps moved across the ceiling.
Ethan whispered,
“Stay behind me.”
The footsteps stopped.
Then a voice echoed through the building.
“You should have left the past alone.”
Vanessa recognized it.
Her eyes widened.
“Victor.”
The man stepped into view.
He was older than Ethan remembered.
Calm.
Smiling.
“You found my photographs.”
Ethan stepped forward.
“Where is Rebecca?”
Victor smiled.
“She was never the leader.”
A door slammed behind them.
May you like
The lights went out.
And Victor disappeared.
