A tragic equipment malfunction.
Case closed.
But Adrian had always thought something was wrong.
He remembered the night.
The missing equipment.
The incomplete logs.
The sudden resignation of the lab director.
And Claire's research disappearing.
He had tried asking questions.
Then his company had told him to stop.
Now, seven years later, Claire's son had unknowingly handed him the missing piece.
Adrian turned the page.
There was another sentence.
“Adrian knows enough to find the rest.”
He froze.
His name.
She had written his name.
Seven years earlier.
Before her death.
Adrian looked around the empty auditorium.
For the first time in years, he felt afraid.
Not for himself.
For Eli.
He closed the notebook.
Then heard footsteps.
He turned.
Eli was standing in the doorway.
“You're still here.”
Adrian stood.
“Why did you come back?”
“I forgot my backpack.”
He looked at the notebook.
“What are you reading?”
Adrian hesitated.
Then handed it back.
“Nothing you need to worry about tonight.”
Eli took it.
“You look scared.”
Adrian smiled.
“I'm thinking.”
“About my mom?”
“Yes.”
Eli looked down.
“Was she really that good?”
Adrian nodded.
“She was extraordinary.”
“Then why did nobody talk about her?”
Adrian didn't answer.
Because he suddenly realized something.
Maybe people had.
Maybe someone had tried.
Maybe every person who knew what happened had been silenced by something bigger.
And maybe Claire had known she was in danger.
He looked at Eli.
“Where's your father?”
“At home.”
“Does he know about this notebook?”
Eli shook his head.
“No.”
“Don't show him.”
Eli frowned.
“Why?”
“Just trust me.”
The next morning, Adrian drove to the address in Eli's school records.
He expected an ordinary house.
Instead, he found a small home with peeling paint and a locked garage.
Eli's father answered the door.
His face changed when he saw Adrian.
“You.”
Adrian recognized him.
Thomas Mercer.
Claire's husband.
They had met once.
Seven years ago.
At the funeral.
Thomas stared at him.
“Why are you here?”
Adrian held up the notebook.
“Eli showed me this.”
Thomas's face went pale.
“Where did he get it?”