“It means someone has been alive all this time.”
The Old File
The following morning, Walter finally told Marcus everything.
The failed extraction had not been an accident.
Their team had been transporting a witness.
The witness possessed evidence of corruption involving a private security contractor.
Someone inside the operation had sold their route.
Three soldiers died.
Walter survived.
Daniel Cross disappeared.
The official investigation concluded that Cross had been killed.
Walter never believed it.
But he had no proof.
Until now.
Marcus listened carefully.
“What was the witness carrying?”
Walter hesitated.
“A list.”
“What kind?”
“Names.”
“Names of who?”
“People involved.”
“Government?”
“Some.”
“Military?”
“Yes.”
“Business?”
“Yes.”
Marcus's face tightened.
“And the list still exists?”
Walter nodded.
“I don't know.”
A knock came at the door.
Dylan entered.
“I found something.”
He placed a phone on the table.
The security camera footage from the attack.
Marcus watched.
Then paused it.
One attacker turned toward the camera.
His face was visible.
Marcus recognized him.
“So does Walter.”
Walter stared.
“Michael Rourke.”
“Who is he?”
“Former contractor.”
“Working for Cross?”
Walter nodded.
“Probably.”
Dylan looked at Walter.
“What do they want?”
Walter stared at the frozen image.
“The list.”
“And where is it?”
Walter didn't answer.
Marcus looked at him.
“You have it.”
Walter finally nodded.
“I thought I lost it.”
“But?”
Walter looked toward the old locker in the corner.
“I hid it.”
What Walter Had Buried
The locker had been at Eastbrook for nearly two years.
Walter had never opened it in front of anyone.
He pulled out a key.
The lock clicked.
Inside was an old metal box.
He removed it carefully.
Dylan watched.
Walter opened the box.
Inside was a notebook.
A photograph.
And a small memory card.
Marcus stared.
“You've had that here?”