Kevin Shaw returned to duty after completing his cooperation agreement.

Jason Miller faced disciplinary proceedings and criminal investigation for his role in unlawful detentions.

Daniel attended the opening ceremony.

He stood near the information counter where Miller had once grabbed his arm.

A young man approached.

“Sir?”

Daniel turned.

The young man held a folded complaint form.

“I want to report an officer.”

Daniel took the form.

“You have every right to do that.”

The young man looked uncertain.

“Will anyone actually listen?”

Daniel looked toward Commander Brooks.

“Yes,” he answered. “And if they don't, you'll know exactly where to find me.”

Across the terminal, Thomas watched quietly.

Daniel walked toward him.

“Ready to go home?”

Thomas smiled faintly.

“After twenty years, I think I've waited long enough.”

They headed toward the exit.

But just before they reached the doors, Monica called.

“Daniel!”

He turned.

She held a new document.

“Something came in from the prosecutor.”

“What is it?”

Monica looked at Thomas.

Then back at Daniel.

“The investigation into Operation Silent Harbor is not the final case.”

Daniel took the document.

Its heading read:

PROJECT BLACK VEIL — NATIONAL SECURITY REVIEW.

Below it was a list of twelve names.

Eleven had already been arrested or removed from office.

The twelfth name remained active.

DANIEL HAYES.

Daniel stared at the page.

His father stepped closer.

“Son…”

Daniel looked at him.

Thomas's expression had changed completely.

“That's not an accusation,” his father whispered.

“Then what is it?”

Thomas looked toward the terminal entrance.

“It's a recruitment list.”

Daniel slowly lowered the document.

A final line appeared beneath his name:

SUBJECT HAS BEEN APPROVED FOR ACTIVATION.

His phone rang.

An unknown caller.

Daniel answered.

A calm voice said:

“Congratulations, Deputy Director. You've passed the first test.”

Daniel's eyes narrowed.

“Who is this?”

The caller replied:

“Someone who has been watching you since the day you were born.”

The call ended.

Thomas looked terrified.

Daniel turned toward his father.

“Who was that?”

Thomas whispered:

“The person who recruited me.”

TO BE CONTINUED — PROJECT BLACK VEIL.

Mình sẽ mở rộng tiếp câu chuyện theo hướng long-form American political thriller, với các chương dài và nhiều diễn biến thực sự thay vì chỉ tóm tắt sự kiện. Tiếp nối chính xác từ Chapter 40: Daniel Hayes phát hiện tên mình nằm trong danh sách tuyển chọn của Project Black Veil, còn cha anh tiết lộ người đứng sau toàn bộ chương trình chính là người từng tuyển dụng ông.

THE OFFICER HUMILIATED THE WRONG MAN… THEN HIS ENTIRE COMMAND STAFF ARRIVED

PROJECT BLACK VEIL — The Man Behind the Government

CHAPTER 41 — THE VOICE FROM THE PAST

Daniel did not move for several seconds after the call ended.

The terminal was still crowded. People were purchasing tickets, checking departure screens, and walking through the automatic doors. Somewhere nearby, a child was crying because his mother had refused to buy him a toy.

Everything appeared ordinary.

But Daniel knew that something extraordinary had just happened.

He looked at the phone again.

The caller had not identified himself. He had not made an explicit threat. He had simply said that he had been watching Daniel since the day he was born.

And then he had mentioned the word recruitment.

Daniel turned toward his father.

“Who recruited you?”

Thomas Hayes stared at the floor.

“His name was Malcolm Sterling.”

Daniel waited.

Thomas continued.

“He was working for a government intelligence office when I first met him. He approached me after I discovered irregularities in several public safety contracts. He said he wanted to protect the country from corruption.”

“And you believed him?”

“I did.”

“What did he ask you to do?”

Thomas looked at his son.

“At first, nothing illegal. He wanted me to examine financial records, identify suspicious transfers, and report unusual government spending.”

Daniel folded his arms.

“Then what changed?”

Thomas sighed.

“People started disappearing from the records. Investigations were closed without explanations. Witnesses were transferred. Entire departments were reorganized overnight.”