“Why?”
“Because if someone has access to your personal history, your old case files, and your current investigation, they know exactly where you are.”
“I have federal agents securing the building.”
“That doesn't matter.”
“Why?”
Carter looked toward the door.
“Because the person sending those messages may be one of them.”
Evelyn studied him.
“You think there's a compromised agent on my team?”
“I think someone has been watching you for eleven years.”
A sudden knock sounded.
Agent Mitchell entered.
“Agent Brooks, we have a problem.”
“What?”
“Deputy Commissioner Grant has been transferred to the federal vehicle.”
“And?”
“He requested a private conversation with you.”
“Did he say why?”
Mitchell hesitated.
“He said he knows who signed the original warehouse report.”
Evelyn looked at Carter.
“Bring him back.”
Mitchell nodded.
But before she could leave, another officer appeared behind her.
“Agent Brooks?”
“Yes?”
“There's someone in the lobby asking to see you.”
“Name?”
The officer looked down at his notes.
“Thomas Reed.”
Evelyn stopped breathing for a moment.
Carter went pale.
“That's impossible.”
The officer looked between them.
“He says you know him.”
Evelyn slowly closed her folder.
“Where is he?”
“In the lobby.”
“Is he alone?”
The officer shook his head.
“No.”
“Who is with him?”
The officer hesitated.
“A woman.”
Evelyn's eyes narrowed.
“What woman?”
The officer looked directly at her.
“She looks exactly like you.”
Chapter 12 — Two Versions of the Same Face
Evelyn walked toward the lobby.
Agent Carter followed closely.
Agent Mitchell moved ahead, speaking quietly into her radio.
The corridor seemed unusually long.
Officers stood near the walls, watching the federal team pass. Some appeared confused. Others looked frightened.
Evelyn ignored them.
Her thoughts were racing.
Thomas Reed.
Alive.
Or someone using his identity.
And a woman who looked exactly like her.
The lobby doors opened.
A man stood beside the reception desk.
He was older than the photograph Evelyn remembered. His hair was now almost entirely gray, and a faint scar ran from his left cheek toward his jaw.
But she recognized him.
Thomas Reed.
He looked directly at her.
“Hello, Evelyn.”
She stopped several feet away.
For a moment, she couldn't speak.
Then she whispered:
“Thomas?”
He nodded.
“It's been a long time.”
Carter stepped forward.
“Reed?”
Thomas looked at him.
“Daniel.”
Carter's face tightened.
“You were alive.”
Thomas gave a tired smile.
“Apparently.”
Evelyn took one step closer.
“Where have you been?”
Thomas looked at her.
“Trying to stay alive.”
“Why didn't you contact me?”
“I did.”
“When?”
“Eleven years ago.”
“You never contacted me.”
Thomas looked at Carter.
Then back at her.
“That's what they wanted you to believe.”
Evelyn stared at him.
“Who?”
Thomas didn't answer.
Instead, he turned toward the woman standing beside him.
She wore a black suit.
Her hair was silver at the temples.
Her face was almost identical to Evelyn's.
The woman looked at Evelyn calmly.
Then she smiled.
“It's good to finally meet you.”
Evelyn felt the floor shift beneath her.
“Who are you?”
The woman extended her hand.
“My name is Catherine Brooks.”
Evelyn did not take it.
“That's my surname.”
“I know.”
“Are you related to me?”
Catherine smiled faintly.
“Closer than you think.”
Thomas looked uncomfortable.
“Evelyn, we need to talk somewhere private.”
“No.”
He paused.
“No?”
“Not until you tell me who she is.”
Catherine lowered her hand.
Then she spoke.
“I'm the person who signed the report saying you were present at the warehouse.”
Evelyn stared at her.
“You forged my signature?”
“No.”
“Then what did you do?”
Catherine's expression remained calm.
“I used the identity they gave me.”
Evelyn looked at Thomas.
“What is she talking about?”
Thomas took a breath.