Chapter 17: The Night Their Father Died
Angela refused to look at the photograph again.
She stood beside the bakery table, one hand gripping its edge.
Marcus waited.
The federal agents had moved the wooden box into a secure evidence container. Hayes was speaking with the forensic team outside.
But Marcus wasn't interested in the investigation anymore.
He wanted an answer.
"What original recording?""
Angela closed her eyes.
"I don't know.""
"That picture shows you beside Dad.""
"I know.""
"And the message says he was alive when you left.""
"I know what it says.""
"Then tell me what happened.""
Angela finally looked at him.
"Eleven years ago, Dad called me at 9:40 p.m. He sounded frightened. He told me to meet him at the old municipal records annex.""
"Why didn't you tell me?""
"Because he specifically told me not to bring anyone.""
"Not even your brother?""
"He said there were people watching the house.""
Marcus looked toward Michael.
Their older brother had remained quiet, still holding the hospital bracelet.
Angela continued.
"When I arrived, Dad was inside the records room. He had a cut above his eyebrow. There were papers everywhere. He told me he'd found evidence of illegal payments involving police contracts.""
"Sentinel?""
"Before Sentinel existed. The company was operating under another name.""
"Who was behind it?""
"Vaughn. And several city officials.""
Marcus took a breath.
"What happened next?""
Angela looked toward the floor.
"Dad handed me the key. He said the documents in the safety-deposit box were only part of the evidence. He had made a recording of a meeting with Vaughn and the mayor.""
"Whitaker?""
"Yes.""
Marcus's jaw tightened.
"What did they say?""
"He didn't tell me. He only said the recording was dangerous.""
Angela rubbed her forehead.
"Then he heard a car outside. He told me to leave through the rear entrance and contact someone he trusted.""
"Who?""
"An attorney. His name was Samuel Price.""
Hayes, who had returned, stopped walking.
"Samuel Price?""
Angela nodded.
"Do you know him?""
Hayes looked troubled.
"He was the prosecutor who handled the first investigation into the security contracts.""
Marcus stared.
"What happened to him?""
"He died two years later," Hayes answered.
"Officially, a heart attack.""
Angela's face tightened.
"That's what I was afraid of.""
Marcus stepped closer.
"Did you leave Dad alone?""
Angela's eyes filled.
"Yes.""
The answer was almost inaudible.
"I left through the rear entrance. I called Samuel from my car. He told me to wait somewhere safe.""
"And Dad?""
"When I called him back, he didn't answer.""
"Did you go back?""
"Yes. Ten minutes later.""
"What did you find?""
Angela's voice broke.
"An ambulance. Two officers. And Vaughn.""
Marcus stared at her.
"He was there?""
"He said Dad had collapsed. He told me the paramedics had already tried to revive him.""
"Did you believe him?""
"I wanted to.""
"Why?""
"Because I was terrified. Because I was young. Because I thought the police would investigate one of their own if something was wrong.""
Marcus shook his head.
"You were a police officer.""
"I know.""
"You had a badge.""
"I know!""
Her voice echoed through the bakery.
Angela took a breath.
"I checked the room. The papers were gone. The recording device was gone.
Dad's phone was gone. Vaughn told me the documents had been collected as evidence.""
"And you let him take them?""
"I didn't have proof that he was lying.""
Marcus looked at her.
"You had the key.""
"Yes.""
"You had the list.""
"Yes.""
"You had enough to question him.""
Angela's eyes filled.
"But I didn't have enough to accuse him.""
Michael suddenly spoke.
"That's what he wanted.""
Everyone turned.
Michael stood near the window.
"Vaughn used fear. He made people think they were alone. He told me Mom abandoned me.
He told Angela that Dad had died before she could help him. He told Brooks that he could make him untouchable.""
Marcus looked at him.
"And what did he tell you?""
Michael's face tightened.
"That if I cooperated, he'd help me find my family.""
Silence followed.
Hayes approached Angela.
"Commissioner, did you ever report the missing recording?""
"No.""
"Did you tell anyone about the key?""
"Only my attorney.""
"Who?""
"Samuel Price.""
Hayes looked at Marcus.
"Then we need to find out whether Price kept a copy of the meeting recording.""
Marcus pulled out his phone.
"Mom's letter mentioned the place where Dad last worked. The old records annex.""
Angela nodded.
"There's an underground archive beneath it.""
Hayes frowned.
"I thought it was sealed.""
"It was.""
"Then how do we get inside?""
Angela looked at the silver key.
"Maybe this is how.""
She turned it over.
A tiny number had been engraved on the reverse.
*B-17.*
Hayes recognized it.
"That's not a bank number.""
"What is it?"" Marcus asked.
"An archive locker designation.""
Angela looked at him.
"How do you know?""
Hayes hesitated.
"Because I worked in the records division before I transferred to Internal Affairs.""
Marcus looked between them.
"Can you open it?""
"Possibly. But we need authorization.""
Angela shook her head.
"By the time we get authorization, the records will be gone.""
Hayes looked at her.
"Then we need a warrant.""
Marcus's phone rang.
The screen showed a private number.
He answered.
"Hello?""
A man's voice came through.
"Marcus Carter?""
"Who is this?""
"My name is Samuel Price.""
Marcus froze.
Angela grabbed his arm.
"Put it on speaker.""
Marcus did.
The old man's voice sounded weak but clear.
"Angela, if you're there, listen carefully.""
Angela leaned closer.
"Mr. Price?""
"Your father knew this day would come.""
"Do you have the recording?""
A long silence.
Then Price answered.
"I have the original.""
Marcus looked at Angela.
"Where?""
"Not where you think.""
"Tell us.""
Price breathed heavily.
"Your father didn't leave the recording in the archive. He left it with someone he trusted.""
"Who?""
"Someone who has been protecting it for eleven years.""
Angela's expression changed.
"Who?""
Price's voice dropped.
"Your mother.""
Marcus felt his chest tighten.
"Mom is dead.""
"I know.""
"Then where is it?""
Price paused.
"She made a copy before she died. And she gave it to a person inside the police department.""
Angela's voice became urgent.
"Who?""
Price whispered a name.
"Robert Hayes.""
Everyone turned.
Hayes stood perfectly still.
Marcus looked at him.
"Captain?""
Hayes didn't speak.
Price continued.
"Ask him why he never told you about the night your father died.""
The call ended.
For a moment, nobody moved.
Then Marcus turned toward Hayes.
"Is it true?""
Hayes looked at Angela.
Then at Marcus.
May you like
Finally, he reached inside his jacket and removed a small black memory card.
"I was hoping I'd never have to show you this.""
