“Yes.”
“Did you know I became a federal investigator?”
Elizabeth nodded.
“I saw your first official photograph.”
Daniel looked at her.
“Why didn't you contact me?”
She lowered her eyes.
“Because I knew what Sterling wanted.”
“What?”
“He wanted you to discover the program.”
Daniel stared at her.
“Why would he want that?”
Elizabeth answered quietly.
“Because he believed you were the only person capable of taking control of it.”
CHAPTER 52 — MALCOLM'S REAL PLAN
Daniel contacted Monica and requested a secure meeting with the independent prosecutor.
He shared the original agreement and explained Elizabeth's role.
The prosecutor reviewed the documents.
“If this is authentic, it changes the entire investigation.”
“It is authentic,” Daniel replied.
“We'll need Elizabeth's testimony.”
“She'll cooperate.”
The prosecutor closed the file.
“There's something else. We have received information that Sterling has requested a meeting with several senior officials.”
“Where?”
“Washington.”
Daniel looked at Monica.
“Who is attending?”
The prosecutor handed him a list.
Former government advisers.
Private security executives.
Two retired judges.
And several current political officials.
At the top was a name Daniel had not expected.
SENATOR REBECCA WHITCOMB.
Daniel looked at the prosecutor.
“She's related to Arthur Whitcomb?”
“His daughter.”
Elizabeth, who had been listening, suddenly spoke.
“She's not just his daughter.”
Everyone turned toward her.
Elizabeth looked at Daniel.
“She was the person who helped Sterling reorganize the program after her father's death.”
Daniel slowly closed the file.
“Then we need to meet her.”
CHAPTER 53 — THE SENATOR'S OFFICE
Senator Rebecca Whitcomb agreed to meet Daniel privately.
Her office overlooked the Capitol grounds.
She greeted him politely.
“Deputy Director Hayes. I've heard quite a lot about you.”
Daniel remained standing.
“Then you know why I'm here.”
Whitcomb smiled.
“I assume this concerns Project Black Veil.”
“It does.”
She gestured toward the chair.
“Please.”
Daniel placed the original agreement on her desk.
Whitcomb glanced at it.
“Where did you get this?”
“From someone who helped create it.”
Her expression changed.
“Elizabeth Hayes?”
Daniel nodded.
Whitcomb leaned back.
“I haven't heard that name in years.”
“She's alive.”
Whitcomb said nothing.
Daniel continued.
“Your father signed this agreement. My mother designed the archive. Malcolm Sterling altered the system. Your office has been connected to the program ever since.”
Whitcomb looked directly at him.
“You believe you understand what Black Veil is.”
“I understand enough to know it has been abused.”
The senator's smile disappeared.
“Mr. Hayes, governments face threats that ordinary citizens will never understand.”
Daniel replied:
“Then explain why ordinary citizens were targeted.”
Whitcomb stood.
“Because some of them were dangerous.”
“Dangerous how?”
“They had information.”
Daniel stared at her.
“Information is not a crime.”
Whitcomb walked toward the window.
“Sometimes information can destroy an entire country.”
Daniel gathered the documents.
“And sometimes hiding it destroys the people who are supposed to serve that country.”
CHAPTER 54 — THE SENATOR'S OFFER
Before Daniel left, Whitcomb made him an offer.
She promised to help him dismantle the compromised sections of Black Veil.
In exchange, she wanted him to stop investigating the original founding committee.
Daniel looked at her.
“Why?”
“Because some of those people are no longer alive. Their families have nothing to do with what happened.”
“Then they have nothing to fear from an honest investigation.”
Whitcomb shook her head.
“You're being naïve.”
Daniel remained calm.
“I'm being careful.”
She opened a drawer and removed a small envelope.
Inside was a list of names.
Daniel recognized several.
But one name was unfamiliar.
JONATHAN MERCER.
“Who is he?” Daniel asked.
Whitcomb replied:
“The only person who knows where Sterling keeps the original Black Veil master key.”
Daniel looked at her.
“Why are you giving me this?”
“Because Sterling is no longer following the agreement.”
“What does that mean?”
Whitcomb lowered her voice.
“He intends to activate the entire system.”
Daniel stood.
“Activate it for what?”
She looked directly at him.
“To identify every person who has ever threatened his operation.”