Chapter 6 - THE SECRET EDWARD HALE TOOK TO HIS GRAVE
Vincent stared at his name.
For the first time since Hannah had met him, he looked uncertain.
“I don't understand.”
Hannah stepped back.
“Your father knew something.”
Vincent nodded slowly.
“Apparently.”
“Something he didn't want you to discover.”
Vincent looked toward the cassette tape.
“Then we listen.”
They found an old tape player in the archive's media room.
Hannah inserted the cassette.
Static filled the speakers.
Then a man's voice emerged.
Her father's voice.
Older.
Tired.
But unmistakable.
“If this recording is being heard, I have failed to bring the evidence forward safely.”
Hannah began crying.
Vincent stood beside her.
The voice continued.
“Edward Hale and I discovered that the waterfront accounts were being used to conceal a trafficking network.”
Vincent went rigid.
“No,” he whispered.
Peter continued.
“The shipments were disguised as legitimate freight. The victims were moved through companies controlled by Raymond Pike and Aleksander Voric.”
Hannah covered her mouth.
The tape crackled.
“Edward wanted to expose the operation. He believed his son Vincent could help him dismantle it.”
Vincent closed his eyes.
Hannah looked at him.
The note had not meant Vincent was guilty.
It meant Edward had been protecting his son.
Peter's voice grew urgent.
“Raymond discovered our investigation. He threatened our families. Edward and I agreed to separate the evidence and disappear until we could reach trustworthy authorities.”
A loud sound interrupted the recording.
Then Peter spoke again.
“If Hannah finds this, tell her I am sorry.”
His voice broke.
“I never stopped loving her.”
The tape ended.
Hannah collapsed into a chair.
Vincent crouched beside her.
“Hannah.”
She shook her head.
“He was alive.”
Vincent nodded.
“At least when he recorded this.”
She looked at him.
“Then why didn't he come home?”
May you like
Vincent's expression darkened.
“That's what we need to discover.”
Related Stories
