Chapter 4 - THE MAN WHO CONTROLLED THE DARK
Rourke returned at noon.
He entered without knocking.
Voss sat behind his desk.
Cora stood beside the window.
The photograph lay face up.
Rourke stopped.
His eyes moved toward it.
Then toward Cora.
"I told you not to touch anything."
Voss spoke before she could answer.
"I told her to turn it over."
Rourke's expression tightened.
"Boss—"
"Who is Adrian Mercer?"
Silence.
Rourke looked at Cora again.
"Miss Hayes, step outside."
"No," Voss said.
Rourke hesitated.
Voss leaned forward.
"Answer me."
Rourke exhaled.
"Mercer was a traitor."
"Then why was he standing beside Daniel Hayes?"
Rourke's jaw tightened.
"Because Daniel worked for him."
Cora felt anger rise.
"My brother worked maintenance."
Rourke turned.
"Your brother worked wherever people paid him."
She stared.
Voss's voice cut through the room.
"Careful."
Rourke stopped.
Voss continued.
"Why did you tell me Daniel died before I regained consciousness?"
Rourke looked away.
"Because he did."
"Then why does the official report say he died six hours later?"
Rourke froze.
Cora stared at Voss.
He had already investigated.
He had known there were discrepancies.
But someone had controlled what he could access.
What he could read.
What he could trust.
Rourke took a breath.
"Boss, you're making a mistake."
Voss's expression hardened.
"Maybe."
Then he turned toward Cora.
"Read the document on the bottom of the second drawer."
Rourke went pale.
"Don't."
May you like
Voss smiled without warmth.
"Now I know it's important."
