But he still couldn't forgive him completely.
Not yet.
Thomas then explained the most important part of the investigation.
The original ledger contained the identities of every child transferred through Saint Mary's Hospital.
But it also contained the names of the families who had paid for those transfers.
Some of those individuals were still powerful.
Some had become politicians, business leaders, and senior officials.
If the ledger was released, the entire network would collapse.
"Where is it?" Daniel asked.
Thomas looked at him.
"Your childhood home."
"I found the diary."
"Not the ledger. The diary was only meant to lead you to it."
Thomas walked toward the fireplace.
He removed a loose brick.
Behind it was a small metal key.
"The original ledger is hidden inside the old clock in your father's study."
Daniel remembered the clock.
It had been standing in the same place since childhood.
He had never suspected anything.
Thomas continued.
"There's also a recording. It contains Hayes admitting what happened to your brother and the others."
Daniel looked at him.
"Then we can expose him."
"Not yet."
"Why?"
Thomas's expression became serious.
"Because Hayes isn't the only person involved."
A sudden knock came from the back door.
Thomas immediately reached for a hidden weapon.
Daniel stood up.
"Who is it?"
A voice answered.
"Someone who has been looking for you."
Thomas lowered the weapon.
He opened the door.
A young man stood outside.
Daniel recognized him immediately.
James.
Michael Carter.
His twin brother.
But James wasn't alone.
Behind him stood a woman.
Rebecca.
And between them was a little girl holding Rebecca's hand.
Daniel looked confused.
"Who is she?"
Rebecca smiled sadly.
"This is Lily Reed."
Daniel froze.
"Marcus's daughter?"
The little girl nodded.
"Where is your father?" Daniel asked.
Lily began to cry.
Rebecca knelt beside her.
"Your father is trying to protect you."
Daniel looked at Rebecca.
"What happened?"
She took a breath.
"Marcus managed to get her out before Hayes could use her as leverage. But he stayed behind."
Daniel closed his eyes.
Marcus had sacrificed himself.
Again.
Thomas stepped forward.
"Then we have no more time."
Daniel looked around the room.
His father.
His brother.
Rebecca.
The daughter of his missing partner.
For the first time, the people who had been separated by twenty years of lies were standing together.
But the danger was far from over.
Thomas picked up the metal box.
"Tomorrow night, Hayes is attending a private meeting at the old courthouse. The people behind the transfers will all be there."
Daniel looked at him.
"How do you know?"
Thomas gave a faint smile.
"Because I arranged the meeting."
Daniel stared at him.
"You're going to expose them?"
Thomas nodded.
"Yes."
Then he looked at his son.
"But this time, I won't do it alone."
The old courthouse had been abandoned for nearly ten years.
Its windows were covered with dust, and the marble steps were cracked from years of neglect.
But tonight, the building was filled with people.
Black cars lined the street.
Private security guards stood near the entrance.
Inside, several powerful individuals were gathering in a large courtroom.
Among them were business executives, former hospital administrators, and government officials.
At the center of the room stood Captain Richard Hayes.
He looked calm.
Confident.
Almost untouchable.
He believed the investigation had finally ended.
He believed Marcus was under his control.
He believed Daniel and Thomas were still searching for a way to reach him.
What he didn't know was that the entire meeting was being recorded.
Daniel and Thomas entered through a side entrance.
James and Rebecca remained in a nearby vehicle with Lily.
They had agreed that the children and family members would stay away from the confrontation.
Daniel looked at his father.
"Are you sure this will work?"
Thomas adjusted his jacket.
"No."
Daniel gave a nervous laugh.
"That's reassuring."
Thomas smiled.
"Your mother used to say that courage wasn't the absence of fear. It was doing what needed to be done even when you were terrified."
Daniel looked at him.
"I wish I remembered her better."
Thomas's expression softened.
"She would have been proud of you."
They continued toward the courtroom.
Inside, Hayes was speaking to the assembled group.
"Ladies and gentlemen, we have a serious problem."
A man in an expensive suit stood up.
"Then solve it."
Hayes looked irritated.
"I have spent twenty years protecting this operation. I have sacrificed everything to keep these records buried."
"Then why are we still discussing them?"
"Because Thomas Carter is alive."
The room fell silent.
A woman near the front stood up.
"That's impossible."
Hayes looked directly at her.
"It isn't."
Another man spoke.
"What about the original ledger?"
"Still missing."
"Then find it."
Hayes slammed his hand against the table.
"You think I haven't tried?"
The room became tense.
Then the courtroom doors opened.
Thomas Carter stepped inside.
Every person turned.
Hayes went completely still.
For a moment, he seemed unable to believe what he was seeing.
Then he whispered:
"Thomas."
Thomas walked toward the center of the room.
"Richard."
Hayes looked around.
"How did you get in here?"
Thomas smiled.
"You used to say that nobody could enter this building without your permission."
He looked at the security guards.
"Apparently, you were wrong."
Daniel entered behind him.
Hayes immediately recognized him.
"Daniel."
Daniel looked at the man who had destroyed his family.
"Captain."
Hayes gave a nervous laugh.
"This is a family matter. You should leave."
Thomas shook his head.
"No. This has never been a family matter. It has always been about power and money."
He placed a small recording device on the table.
"Twenty years of lies end tonight."
Hayes looked toward the security guards.
"Take them out."
Nobody moved.