For several seconds, she couldn't speak.
Then she opened the envelope.
Inside was a handwritten letter.
The first line read:
TO MY DAUGHTER, IF YOU EVER FIND THIS.
Jessica's hands began trembling.
She unfolded the paper.
The handwriting was unmistakable.
Her father's.
Michael Miller's Letter
Jessica,
If you're reading this, it means someone finally found the truth.
I don't know how old you are now. I don't know whether you're still living in Baltimore. I don't know whether you remember the promises I made to you.
I remember every one of them.
I remember teaching you how to ride a bicycle.
I remember the first time you wore your school uniform.
I remember the night you told me you wanted to become a police officer.
I told you that you could become anything you wanted.
I never imagined that the same department I served would become the reason I had to leave you.
I need you to understand something.
I did not abandon you.
I did not resign.
And I never stopped being your father.
There are people inside the department who have been selling information to a private contractor. They have access to records that should never leave government control.
At first, I believed it was only about money.
Then I discovered they were using the system to erase witnesses.
One of those witnesses was David Morgan.
Another was me.
I found evidence that could expose the entire operation, but the evidence was incomplete.
There is one person who knows where the original records are.
Her name is Evelyn Carter.
If David finds you, trust him.
If you find David, do not let him return to the department.
And whatever happens, do not trust the person who tells you I am dead.
I love you.
Dad.
Jessica lowered the letter.
"Evelyn Carter?"
David nodded slowly.
"She was the third person."
Jessica looked up.
"The third missing employee?"
"Yes."
"Who was she?"
David sat down on the edge of the old sofa.
"An accountant."
"What did she know?"
"She handled financial transfers for Northbridge."
Jessica looked at the letter again.
"Why would an accountant know about the missing people?"
David answered:
"Because she discovered that the company was being paid for services it never provided."
"What services?"
"Moving people."
Jessica frowned.
"Moving people where?"
David looked at her.
"That's what we need to find out."
A sudden noise came from the upper floor.
Both turned.
A floorboard creaked.
Jessica immediately reached for her weapon.
David raised one hand.
"Wait."
Another creak.
Then silence.
Jessica whispered:
"Someone's upstairs."
David slowly stood.
He picked up the old police badge and placed it in his pocket.
Then he looked at Jessica.