“You've spent fourteen years hiding people, falsifying records, and threatening witnesses.”
“I protected national security.”
“You destroyed families.”
Cross looked toward David.
“Your brother understands more than you think.”
David stared at him.
“You made us believe our parents were dead.”
Cross didn't deny it.
“Your father was a dangerous man.”
“He was my father.”
“He was a man who stole classified records and threatened to expose an operation that prevented a national security crisis.”
David stepped forward.
“What crisis?”
Cross glanced at the computer.
“The original Harborlight operation was created to protect military witnesses during a period of severe internal instability. Your father believed every secret should be exposed. He didn't understand the consequences.”
“And Mom?”
“Your mother believed him.”
“Then why separate them?”
Cross's expression became colder.
“Because they refused to cooperate.”
Vanessa moved forward.
“You told me my mother died in an accident.”
Cross looked at her.
“Vanessa.”
“Was she alive when you took her?”
He remained silent.
“Did you know she was in this hospital?”
Cross sighed.
“Your mother was a good woman. But she made a decision that endangered everyone around her.”
Vanessa's eyes filled with tears.
“You killed her.”
“I never ordered her death.”
“Then where is she?”
Cross looked at her.
“I don't know.”
David laughed bitterly.
“That's the answer everyone gives.”
Cross turned toward him.
“You have a daughter, David. You understand what it means to protect family.”
David's expression hardened.
“Don't talk about my daughter.”
“Then listen carefully.”
Cross gestured toward Sophia.
“I can make sure she finishes school, attends university, and lives without anyone ever knowing what happened here.”
Victoria stepped forward.
“Don't.”
Cross ignored her.
“All you have to do is hand over the archive and leave this investigation.”
David looked at Sophia.
She was frightened, but she didn't look away.
“Dad,” she whispered.
David turned toward Cross.
“You think you can buy my silence?”
“I think you can recognize a reasonable offer.”
“You took fourteen years from my family.”
“I can give you a future.”
David shook his head.
“You can't give me back my childhood. You can't give me back my parents. And you can't undo what you did to everyone on that list.”
Cross's expression hardened.
“Then you've made your choice.”
He nodded to the officers.
“Secure the room.”
The armed personnel moved forward.
But before they could reach the table, Victoria raised her hand.
“Stop.”
Cross turned.
“What now?”
She held up her federal credential.
“General Nathaniel Cross, you are being placed under investigation for obstruction of justice, unlawful detention, conspiracy, and the falsification of federal records.”
Cross laughed.
“You don't have the authority.”
Victoria looked at him.
“Perhaps not alone.”
She turned toward Vanessa.
“Show him.”
Vanessa removed her phone.
On the screen was a live transmission indicator.
The entire confrontation had been recorded and transmitted to the Department of Justice.
Cross's smile disappeared.
Victoria continued.
“Your offer to silence a protected witness was recorded. Your admission concerning Thomas and Eleanor Carter was recorded. Your presence in this restricted archive was recorded.”