For five years, he had believed his brother had abandoned him.
Now he understood that Michael had been trying to protect someone.
Before Daniel could ask another question, the office door opened.
Chief Arthur Bennett walked inside.
He was wearing a dark suit and carrying a leather briefcase.
"Good morning, gentlemen."
His smile disappeared when he noticed Daniel's expression.
"Something wrong, Reed?"
Daniel said nothing.
Bennett looked at Hayes.
"Richard, I need to speak with you."
Hayes remained seated.
"About what?"
"An internal matter."
Daniel stepped aside, pretending to leave.
But he stopped near the doorway.
Bennett placed his briefcase on the desk.
"I understand someone has been asking questions about the old Morgan investigation."
Hayes looked directly at him.
"People deserve answers."
Bennett laughed softly.
"People deserve whatever keeps them safe."
Then he noticed the photographs on the desk.
His expression changed.
He reached for one.
It showed Thomas Morgan standing beside Evelyn Blackwood.
"Where did you get this?"
Hayes didn't answer.
Bennett slowly placed the photograph down.
"You should have left this buried."
Daniel turned back.
"Why?"
Bennett looked at him.
For several seconds, the chief said nothing.
Then he smiled.
"Because some truths are more dangerous than lies."
He closed the briefcase.
"Officer Reed, I want you to surrender your weapon."
Daniel stared at him.
"Why?"
"You're involved in an investigation that may compromise department security."
Daniel didn't move.
Bennett's smile disappeared.
"Now."
Hayes slowly stood.
"Arthur, don't do this."
The chief reached beneath his jacket.
A gun appeared in his hand.
"Step away from the desk, Richard."
Daniel immediately raised his hands.
Bennett looked at both men.
Then he said something that made the room go completely silent.
"Your brother sends his regards, Daniel."
For several seconds, nobody moved.
Chief Arthur Bennett stood in the middle of the office with a gun pointed toward Captain Hayes.
Daniel raised his hands slowly.
He had faced armed suspects before, but this situation was different.
Bennett was not a criminal who had wandered into the wrong building.
He was the chief of police.
He knew every security procedure, every emergency exit, and every officer assigned to the building.
He also knew exactly how long it would take for someone to notice that something was wrong.
"Put your weapon down, Reed," Bennett ordered.
Daniel looked at him.
"I don't have my weapon drawn."
"Then keep your hands where I can see them."
Hayes stepped forward.
"Arthur, this is over."
Bennett laughed.
"You really believe that?"
"People know about the evidence."
"People know what I allow them to know."
Bennett turned toward Daniel.
"Do you know what the problem with honest officers is?"
Daniel remained silent.
"They believe the world works according to rules. They think every criminal can be arrested, every victim can be saved, and every corrupt official can be exposed."
He walked slowly toward the desk.
"But the world doesn't work that way."
Hayes shook his head.
"You killed Thomas Morgan."
Bennett's expression remained calm.
"Thomas made a choice."
"He wanted to expose corruption."
"He wanted to destroy everything we built."
"What you built was a criminal organization."
Bennett raised the gun slightly.
"Careful, Richard."
Daniel looked toward the office door.
He could hear footsteps in the hallway.
But Bennett seemed to notice his attention.
"Don't even think about it."
Daniel returned his gaze to the chief.
"Where is Emily Morgan?"
Bennett smiled.
"Somewhere you will never find her."
"Is she alive?"
"That depends on how cooperative everyone becomes."
Hayes stepped forward.
"Leave her out of this."
Bennett turned toward him.
"You're the one who brought her into this. You were supposed to keep Thomas quiet. You were supposed to make sure his family never discovered the truth."
"I did what you asked for years."
"And look where we are now."
Hayes clenched his jaw.
"You threatened my family."
"Everyone has a price, Richard. Yours was simply fear."
Daniel watched the two men argue.
He was beginning to understand that Hayes had been involved in the cover-up for years, but that he had not been the person controlling the entire operation.
Bennett had used him.
And now Bennett was prepared to eliminate him.
The chief moved toward the desk.
"Give me the photographs. The original records. Everything you've recovered."
Hayes refused.
Bennett raised his weapon.
Daniel suddenly moved.
He pushed the desk chair toward Bennett and rushed forward.
A gunshot exploded.
The bullet struck the wall.
Hayes tackled Bennett, and the gun slipped from his hand.
It slid beneath the desk.
Daniel reached for it first.
"Don't move!"
Bennett struggled against Hayes.
"Get off me!"
The office door burst open.
Several officers rushed inside with weapons drawn.
"Chief Bennett! Hands where we can see them!"
Hayes released him.
Daniel picked up the gun and stepped backward.
Bennett slowly raised his hands.
For the first time, the chief of police looked powerless.
He was handcuffed and escorted from the office.
But before leaving, he turned toward Daniel.
"You think you've won?"
Daniel stared at him.
Bennett smiled.
"You still don't know where your brother is."
Daniel felt his stomach tighten.
"What did you do to Michael?"
Bennett didn't answer.
Instead, he looked toward Captain Hayes.
Then he said:
"Ask Richard what happened five years ago."
The officers took him away.
Daniel immediately turned toward Hayes.
"What was he talking about?"
Hayes lowered himself into the chair.
"I was hoping you wouldn't have to find out."
"Tell me."
The captain looked exhausted.
"Five years ago, Michael discovered that Emily was alive. He tried to help her escape from the people working for Evelyn."
Daniel listened carefully.
"What happened?"
"His operation was compromised. Michael was captured, but someone inside the department arranged for him to be placed under an unofficial protection program."
"Who?"
Hayes hesitated.
"Arthur Bennett."
Daniel shook his head.
"Why would Bennett protect him?"
"Because Michael had information. Bennett wanted to know how much he had discovered."
"Where is he now?"
Hayes looked toward the evidence cabinet.
"I don't know."
Daniel slammed his hand against the desk.
"You're telling me my brother could be alive, and nobody knows where he is?"
Hayes looked directly at him.
"I know one thing."
"What?"
"Michael was not the only person Bennett kept hidden."
Daniel stared.
Hayes continued.
"Rebecca Stone was working with him. Marcus Cole was involved. And Emily Morgan was the most important witness of all."