Chapter 6 - THE FILE MARKED REDRobert opened the classified file.
Page after page had been blacked out.
Only one section remained visible.
PRIMARY ASSET: EMILY HAYES.
Robert stared.
“Why is my daughter listed as an asset?”
Marcus leaned over.
“This isn't a personnel file.”
“What is it?”
“Genetic research.”
Robert looked at him.
“Military?”
Marcus shook his head.
“Private.”
The company behind it was called Meridian Strategic.
A corporation with offices in Virginia, Texas, and Washington.
Its executives had government connections.
Its board included former military officials.
And one name appeared repeatedly.
Daniel Carter.
Robert looked at his son-in-law.
“You work for Meridian.”
Daniel shook his head.
“I used to.”
“When?”
“Before Emily.”
Robert stared.
“You married my daughter because of them?”
Daniel's silence was an answer.
Emily stepped backward.
“No.”
Daniel rushed toward her.
“I didn't know.”
Robert blocked him.
“You knew enough.”
Daniel's eyes filled with tears.
“They told me if I didn't marry her, they'd kill you.”
Robert looked at Emily.
“And you stayed?”
“I fell in love with her.”
Daniel's voice broke.
“At some point, she stopped being an assignment.”
Emily stared at him.
“Then why did you hurt me?”
Daniel looked at her wrist.
“I was trying to make them believe I was still obeying.”
Robert shook his head.
“You could have told her.”
“They were watching.”
“Who?”
Daniel whispered.
“Someone inside your command.”
Marcus stiffened.
Robert looked at him.
“Who?”
Daniel pointed toward the classified file.
The answer was written on the last page.
COMMAND AUTHORIZATION: M. REED.
Robert slowly turned.
Marcus looked stunned.
“I didn't write that.”
Robert raised his weapon.
Marcus froze.
“I swear.”
Then a voice came from behind them.
“You should listen to him.”
Jonathan stepped into the basement.
“Marcus isn't the traitor.”
Robert asked, “Then who is?”
May you like
Jonathan looked toward the staircase.
“Your chief of staff.”
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