"The one that transferred the archive. You were trying to stop him."
Vanessa stared.
"Did I succeed?"
Grace nodded.
"For a while."
"Then what happened?"
"Peter found the archive."
"And Daniel?"
Grace looked down.
"He went after him."
Vanessa looked at the screen.
"Where is he now?"
Grace hesitated.
"That's what we need to find out."
PART 22 — THE FINAL NAME
Bell approached.
"We have a problem."
Vanessa turned.
"What?"
"Captain Gaines has disappeared."
Grace looked at him.
"Robert Gaines?"
Bell nodded.
"He left the state headquarters two hours ago. His vehicle was found abandoned near the river."
Vanessa looked at the archive.
"Did he take anything?"
Bell handed her a photograph.
It showed the evidence container from Westbridge.
The container was open.
The original transfer ledger was missing.
Vanessa stared.
"How?"
"We believe someone inside the facility gave him access."
Grace looked at the drive.
"Then he has the first part."
Vanessa nodded.
"And we have the second."
Bell looked between them.
"What does that mean?"
Grace answered.
"It means the archive cannot be opened without both pieces."
Vanessa looked at her sister.
"Can Gaines open it?"
"Not alone."
"Who can?"
Grace hesitated.
Then she said:
"Chief Arthur Caldwell."
Vanessa's expression changed.
"The same chief who ordered my arrest?"
Grace nodded.
"He has the original authorization key."
Vanessa looked at Bell.
"Where is Caldwell now?"
"Federal custody."
"Then we need to question him."
Bell shook his head.
"He's refusing to speak."
Vanessa looked at the drive.
"Not anymore."
PART 23 — THE CHIEF WHO KNEW HER NAME
Chief Arthur Caldwell sat alone in a federal interview room.
His silver hair was uncombed.
His uniform had been replaced with a plain gray shirt.
He looked older than he had during the roadside confrontation.
When Vanessa entered, he raised his head.
"Agent Carter."
She sat opposite him.
"Chief."
He glanced at Grace.
Then looked back at Vanessa.
"So it's true."
"What is?"
"Your sister is alive."
Vanessa said nothing.
Caldwell smiled faintly.
"Daniel always did have a weakness for family."
Vanessa placed a photograph on the table.
It showed the two sisters as children.
Caldwell looked at it.
Then his smile disappeared.
"Where did you get that?"
"Room 17."
He looked toward the ceiling.
"That room should have been destroyed."
"Why?"
"Because it contains the original records."
Vanessa leaned forward.
"Where is the authorization key?"
Caldwell looked at her.
"You already have it."
"No. I have a drive."
He shook his head.
"That's not the key."
Grace stepped forward.
"Then tell us what is."
Caldwell looked at her.
For a long moment, he seemed unable to speak.
Then he said:
"Your father."
Vanessa frowned.
"Daniel?"
Caldwell nodded.
"He is the only person who can authorize the final release."
Vanessa stared.
"Where is he?"
Caldwell looked down.
"Somewhere you won't find him."
"Try me."
He smiled.
"He's been dead for six years."
Vanessa's expression changed.
Grace stepped closer.
"That's impossible."
Caldwell shook his head.
"Daniel Mitchell died in a private medical facility. Peter used his identity afterward."
Vanessa looked at him.
"Who confirmed the death?"
Caldwell hesitated.
"Me."
"Who signed the report?"
"Captain Gaines."
"Who witnessed it?"
Caldwell looked away.
"Nobody."
Vanessa leaned forward.
"Then how do you know?"
Caldwell's voice dropped.
"Because I ordered it."
Silence.
Grace stared at him.
"You killed him?"
Caldwell shook his head.
"No."
He looked at Vanessa.
"I ordered the wrong man killed."
Vanessa went still.
"What does that mean?"
Caldwell looked toward the interview room camera.
Then back at her.
"Peter Mitchell was never supposed to survive."
Grace's expression hardened.
"Then who did?"
Caldwell answered:
"Daniel."
PART 24 — THE MAN IN THE HOSPITAL
The federal team traced the private medical facility through old billing records.
It was a small hospital outside Richmond, operating under a private rehabilitation contract.
The records showed a patient admitted under the name David Mercer six years earlier.
No photograph.
No emergency contact.
No discharge record.
The patient had occupied Room 308.
Vanessa stared at the file.
"That's him."
Bell nodded.
"We're checking whether the facility still has records."
Grace looked at the admission date.
"Six years ago."
She turned to Vanessa.
"That's when Helen told me he died."
Vanessa said nothing.
They arrived at the hospital before dawn.
The administrator met them in the lobby.
"Special Agent Carter?"
"Yes."
"We received your request."
"Is the patient still here?"
The administrator hesitated.
"No."
"When did he leave?"
"Three months ago."
Vanessa looked at Bell.
"Where did he go?"
The administrator opened a folder.
"He was transferred to a private residence."
"Whose residence?"
"I don't have that information."
"Who authorized the transfer?"
The administrator checked.
Then looked up.
"Assistant Director Helen Mitchell."
Vanessa closed her eyes briefly.
"Of course."
The administrator continued.
"There is something else."
"What?"
"He left a message for you."
Vanessa stared.
"For me?"
The administrator nodded.
He handed her a sealed envelope.
Her name was written across the front.
Not Vanessa.
Elizabeth.
She opened it.
Inside was a single page.
ELIZABETH,
I KNOW YOU'RE LOOKING FOR ME.
DO NOT TRUST HELEN. DO NOT TRUST CALDWELL. AND DO NOT TRUST THE PERSON WHO CLAIMS TO BE YOUR SISTER.
THE NIGHTFALL ARCHIVE IS NOT WHAT YOU THINK IT IS.
COME ALONE.
DANIEL.
Vanessa read the message twice.
Grace looked over her shoulder.
"He's trying to separate us."
Vanessa folded the letter.
"Or he's warning me."
Grace shook her head.
"He's always been good at making people believe both."
Bell approached.
"What do you want to do?"
Vanessa looked toward the hospital doors.