Raymond glanced at him.
"Marcus."
He didn't respond.
"Your father was trying to protect you."
Marcus looked out the window.
"That's what everyone keeps saying."
"Because it's true."
"Then why did nobody tell me?"
Raymond tightened his grip on the steering wheel.
"Because the people involved had access to information that could destroy your family."
Marcus looked at him.
"Did my mother work for Northbridge?"
Raymond hesitated.
"No."
"Then why was she there?"
"I don't know."
Marcus looked back at the photograph.
"Who is Subject Four?"
Raymond shook his head.
"Your father never explained it."
"Did he ever mention a project?"
Raymond thought for a moment.
"Once."
"What?"
"Something called the Meridian Program."
Marcus looked at him.
"What's that?"
"I don't know."
"Then why did you never investigate it?"
Raymond's expression became troubled.
"Because the only document mentioning it disappeared the same night your father did."
Marcus stared at him.
"Who took it?"
Raymond looked straight ahead.
"The person who had access to every locked door in the department."
The car slowed.
Marcus's house came into view.
The front lawn was still disturbed where he had fallen earlier.
His lawn mower stood beside the fence.
But something was different.
The front door was open.
Raymond immediately stopped the vehicle.
"Stay here."
Marcus looked at the house.
"Someone's inside."
Raymond reached for his radio.
"Captain Brooks to all units—"
He stopped.
Then he lowered the radio.
He remembered the warning.
Someone might be listening.
He looked at Marcus.
"Do you have another entrance?"
"Back door."
"Good."
They exited the vehicle quietly.
Raymond moved toward the side of the house.
Marcus followed.
They reached the rear entrance.
The door was unlocked.
Raymond drew his weapon and signaled Marcus to remain behind him.
He entered first.
The kitchen was empty.
A chair had been pulled away from the table.
A glass of water sat beside the sink.
Someone had been there recently.
Raymond moved toward the living room.
Then he stopped.
A woman was sitting on the sofa.
Her back was turned toward them.
She wore a dark blue coat.
Her silver-streaked hair fell just below her shoulders.
She was holding a small photograph.
Marcus froze.
The woman slowly turned.
Her eyes met his.
For a moment, neither spoke.
Then she stood.
"Marcus."
His lips parted.
He couldn't form a word.
The woman took one cautious step toward him.
"I know you have questions."
Marcus shook his head.
"No..."
She looked at him with tears in her eyes.
"I'm sorry."
Marcus stared.
"Who are you?"
The woman closed her eyes briefly.
Then she answered:
"My name is Eleanor Reed."
She took another step.
"I'm your mother."
Marcus's knees almost gave way.
Raymond lowered his weapon slightly.
Eleanor looked at the chief.
"Raymond."
He stared at her.
"Eleanor..."
She nodded.
"You're late."
Raymond took a step forward.
"We thought you were dead."
Eleanor gave a sad smile.
"That was the point."
Marcus looked between them.
"You know each other?"
Raymond nodded.
"Yes."
"How?"
Eleanor looked at Marcus.
"Because your father didn't disappear alone."
She reached into her coat and removed a small envelope.
Inside was a photograph.
It showed Michael Reed.
Alive.
Standing in front of a building with a federal seal.
The photograph had been taken only two days earlier.
Marcus stared.
"Where is he?"
Eleanor's expression changed.
She looked toward the front window.
Then back at her son.
"He's trying to get to you."
Marcus stepped closer.
"Then why isn't he here?"
Eleanor took a breath.
"Because someone has been watching this house."
Raymond looked toward the open front door.
"Who?"
Eleanor's voice dropped.
"The same person who ordered your father's disappearance."
Marcus looked at the photograph again.
"Who is it?"
Eleanor hesitated.
Then she whispered:
"Your father's closest friend."
Raymond's face changed.
"That's impossible."
Eleanor turned toward him.
"No, Raymond."
She looked directly into his eyes.
"You've known him for twenty years."
A long silence followed.
Then Eleanor gave the name.
"Deputy Commissioner Thomas Caldwell."
Raymond stared at her.
He slowly lowered his weapon.
Because Thomas Caldwell wasn't just a senior administrator.
He was the man who had recommended Raymond for promotion.
The man who had attended his wedding.
The man who had stood beside him when he received his first command.
And the man who had personally appointed him police chief.
Marcus looked at Raymond.
"Is she telling the truth?"
Raymond didn't answer.
Eleanor stepped forward.
"There's something else you need to know."
She placed the envelope on the table.
"Thomas Caldwell didn't just erase your father."
Her voice trembled.
"He used your father's identity to authorize something eleven years ago."
Marcus looked at the envelope.
"What?"
Eleanor opened it.
Inside was a document bearing Michael Reed's signature.
At the bottom was a single line:
SUBJECT FOUR — FINAL AUTHORIZATION: MARCUS JAMES REED.
Marcus stared at his own name.
His mother looked at him.
Then she said:
"Your father didn't hide you from Northbridge."
She paused.
"He helped them create you."
END OF PART 4
The story now enters its central mystery: why Marcus was designated Subject Four, what the Meridian Program actually did, and whether Michael Reed was protecting his son—or hiding the truth from him.