Chapter 10 - THE FILE IN WASHINGTONWashington was under heavy rain.
Ethan arrived with Daniel, Maria, Victoria, and federal agents.
The Capitol dome glowed against the dark sky.
The city felt tense.
News helicopters circled overhead.
The murder investigation had become national news.
But the family wasn't finished.
A senator connected to Ethan's grandfather requested a private meeting.
Inside a secure office, the senator placed a folder on the table.
“This is bigger than your family.”
Ethan opened it.
Inside were contracts.
Federal grants.
Private security agreements.
Foreign bank accounts.
And one photograph.
His grandfather standing beside a government official.
The senator whispered:
“Your family didn't operate alone.”
Ethan stared.
“Who helped them?”
The senator looked toward the door.
“People who still hold power.”
Daniel leaned forward.
“What about Rebecca?”
The senator sighed.
“She found the money trail.”
“And they killed her.”
“Yes.”
“Who gave the order?”
The senator looked at Ethan.
“You already know.”
Ethan's stomach tightened.
“My grandmother.”
“No.”
The senator shook his head.
“She followed orders.”
“From whom?”
The senator opened another file.
A single name appeared.
CHARLES HALE.
Ethan stared.
“My great-grandfather?”
The senator nodded.
“He died twenty-nine years ago.”
“Exactly.”
Ethan's face changed.
“How could a dead man give orders?”
The senator closed the folder.
“That is the question.”
Later that night, Ethan found his mother outside the hotel.
She was holding his son.
The baby slept peacefully.
Ethan ran toward them.
His mother handed him over.
“He's safe.”
Ethan held him tightly.
“Where were you?”
“Trying to end this.”
“How?”
She looked at Daniel.
Then at Ethan.
“By telling you the final truth.”
“What?”
She whispered:
“Your great-grandfather didn't die.”
Ethan stared.
“Then who did?”
May you like
His mother looked toward the dark street.
“A man who looked like him.”
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