Daniel's voice dropped.

"Because she knew you were close to remembering."

He paused.

"And because she wanted the witness dead before he could tell you who really killed your mother."

Vanessa looked up sharply.

"Our mother died in an accident."

Daniel shook his head.

"No."

His eyes filled.

"Margaret Mitchell was murdered."

The room fell silent.

Grace whispered:

"By whom?"

Daniel looked at the two sisters.

Then he gave them the name.

"Robert Gaines."

PART 26 — THE FINAL TRANSMISSION

Vanessa's phone vibrated.

A message from Bell.

CAPTAIN GAINES HAS BEEN LOCATED.

A second message appeared.

HE IS AT THE COUNTY POLICE HEADQUARTERS.

Vanessa looked at Daniel.

"Why would Gaines go back there?"

Daniel shook his head.

"Because he wants the original archive."

Grace checked her weapon.

"Then we go now."

Vanessa looked at her father.

"You're coming with us."

Daniel nodded.

"Of course."

But as they approached the front door, a loudspeaker sounded outside.

"FEDERAL AGENTS! STEP AWAY FROM THE BUILDING!"

Vanessa froze.

She looked through the window.

Three black SUVs had surrounded the property.

Agents were moving into position.

Then a familiar voice came through the loudspeaker.

"Special Agent Vanessa Carter. This is Assistant Director Helen Mitchell."

Vanessa looked at Daniel.

His face had gone pale.

Helen's voice continued.

"Put down your weapon and come outside."

Vanessa stepped toward the door.

Daniel grabbed her arm.

"Don't."

She looked at him.

"Why?"

He shook his head.

"Because she's not here to arrest you."

Vanessa glanced through the window.

Helen stood beside the lead SUV.

She held a microphone in one hand.

In the other was a small remote device.

Daniel whispered:

"She's here to activate the destruction protocol."

Vanessa looked at the black envelope.

Then at the document she had signed.

A small red light appeared on the envelope.

Grace stared.

"What's that?"

Daniel's expression changed.

"Tracking signal."

Vanessa looked toward the window.

Helen raised the remote.

The house lights flickered.

A warning appeared on the small digital screen inside the envelope.

FINAL ARCHIVE ACCESS DETECTED.

Then another message.

DESTRUCTION SEQUENCE INITIATED.

Vanessa looked at Daniel.

"How do we stop it?"

Daniel shook his head.

"There's only one way."

"What?"

He looked at her.

"Release the archive."

Grace stared.

"Then everyone will see the names."

Daniel nodded.

"Yes."

"Even the children?"

"Yes."

Vanessa looked at the document.

"Then we need to protect them."

Daniel looked at her.

"That's why I brought you here."

Outside, Helen's voice grew louder.

"Elizabeth! You have thirty seconds!"

Vanessa looked at Grace.

Then at Daniel.

She took the black envelope and connected it to her secure device.

The screen asked for confirmation.

RELEASE ORIGINAL NIGHTFALL ARCHIVE?

Two options appeared.

YES.

NO.

Vanessa's finger hovered over the screen.

Grace stepped beside her.

"Whatever happens, we do it together."

Vanessa looked at her sister.

Then pressed YES.

A low electronic tone filled the room.

The screen changed.

ARCHIVE RELEASED.

Outside, every vehicle's headlights flashed.

Helen looked down at her remote.

Her expression collapsed.

Vanessa's phone began ringing.

Then another phone.

Then another.

Bell's voice came through.

"Carter! What did you do?"

Vanessa looked at the screen.

"Released the archive."

Bell paused.

"To whom?"

Vanessa stared at the final notification.

DISTRIBUTION COMPLETE — 47 IDENTITIES RESTORED.

She looked toward the window.

Helen stood motionless.

Then the assistant director slowly lowered her microphone.

Vanessa opened the front door.

She stepped onto the porch.

Helen looked at her.

For several seconds, neither woman spoke.

Then Helen raised her head.

"You have no idea what you've done."

Vanessa looked at her.

"Actually, I do."

Helen's voice trembled.

"You've exposed people who were protected for decades."

Vanessa nodded.

"Yes."

"You've endangered witnesses."

"Then we'll protect them."

"You've destroyed the agency."

Vanessa looked directly at her.

"No, Director."

She held up her FBI badge.

"I've given it a chance to tell the truth."

Helen stared at her.

Then she slowly reached into her jacket.

Bell shouted.

"Hands!"

Helen stopped.

A small object fell from her pocket.

A remote control.

Vanessa looked down.

The screen displayed one final message.

SECONDARY DESTRUCTION SEQUENCE — ACTIVE.

Daniel stepped onto the porch.

His face changed.

"That's impossible."

Helen smiled faintly.

"Did you really think you were the only one who built a backup?"

The remote began counting down.

00:30.

00:29.

Vanessa stared.

"What does it destroy?"

Daniel looked at her.

"The remaining identities."

Grace stepped forward.

"Can we stop it?"

Daniel shook his head.

"Not from here."

The countdown continued.

00:25.

Vanessa looked at Helen.

"Where is the control system?"

Helen said nothing.

Vanessa stepped closer.

"Where?"

Helen smiled.

Then she looked past Vanessa.

At Daniel.

And said:

"Ask your father."

Vanessa turned.

Daniel was staring at the remote.

His expression had changed.

He slowly reached into his jacket and removed a small silver key.

"I know where it is."

Vanessa looked at him.

"Where?"

Daniel answered:

"Under the police department."

The countdown continued.

00:18.

And for the first time, Vanessa understood why the roadside arrest had happened.

The broken patrol window.

The hidden phone.

The false accusation.

The two officers.

The witness.

It had all been designed to keep her away from one place.

The basement beneath the county police headquarters.

Where the original Nightfall control system was still running.

Vanessa looked at Bell.

"Get the vehicles ready."

Bell nodded.

"Where are we going?"

Vanessa looked toward the city.

"Back to the department."

She turned toward her father.

"And this time, nobody is leaving until we know who gave the order."

End of Part 2.