Chapter 18 - THE NAME ADDED YESTERDAYThe boss stared at the screen.
His name appeared at the bottom of the ledger.
Timestamped.
Yesterday.
Status:
SUCCESSOR.
He looked at the older man.
“You added it.”
“No.”
“Then who?”
The man smiled.
“Your father.”
“You said you weren't my father.”
“I said I wasn't your biological father.”
The boss stepped closer.
“Then who is?”
The man pointed toward the door.
Ethan stood there.
Blood covered his sleeve.
The boss looked at him.
“What happened?”
“The chief escaped.”
The older man laughed.
“You still don't see it.”
Ethan stared at the screen.
Then his face changed.
“The successor.”
The boss nodded.
“Someone added my name.”
Ethan looked at the older man.
“Why?”
“Because the old system is dying.”
The boss frowned.
“What old system?”
“The network.”
“Then why not destroy it?”
“Because someone else already has.”
A sudden alarm sounded.
Red lights flashed.
Maya ran into the room.
“We have a problem.”
“What?”
“The ledger is gone.”
The boss stared.
“What?”
“The physical copy disappeared.”
“Who took it?”
Maya shook her head.
“No cameras.”
The girl looked toward the hallway.
“He did.”
The boss crouched.
“Who?”
“The sad man.”
Ethan's face hardened.
“That's impossible.”
“He was here.”
The boss stood.
“Where?”
She pointed toward the underground door.
“He said he wanted to help.”
Ethan looked at the boss.
“We have to move.”
They rushed through the corridor.
A hidden elevator opened.
Inside was a single phone.
The boss picked it up.
A voice spoke.
“You finally understand.”
The boss recognized it.
His father's voice.
“What do you want?”
“Come to New York.”
“Why?”
“Because Washington is already compromised.”
The line went dead.
Maya stared.
“New York?”
Ethan nodded.
“Wall Street.”
The boss looked at the girl.
She shook her head.
“No.”
“Why?”
“Mommy said New York is where the story begins.”
The boss looked at Ethan.
“And where does it end?”
The girl answered before Ethan could.
“At the house with the red door.”
Maya frowned.
“What house?”
May you like
The girl looked at her.
“The one we haven't found yet.”
