Chapter 4 - THE TRAP
We entered the Ferguson estate at midnight.
Not illegally.
With a court-authorized search warrant.
I brought two attorneys, a forensic accountant, and a civilian investigator.
No military personnel.
No weapons.
No theatrics.
Nicholas opened the door.
His smile was almost confident.
“You really think you'll find something?”
I handed him the warrant.
“I don't think.”
I stepped inside.
“I verify.”
The search began.
Files were collected.
Computers seized.
Financial records photographed.
Then Abigail found the library.
The hidden door was still there.
The brass key fit.
Inside was a second room.
But this one was empty.
Except for one chair.
On the chair was a photograph of Abigail.
Taken the night she was assaulted.
She screamed.
I immediately moved between her and the photograph.
Then I noticed the camera.
Hidden above the bookshelf.
Live feed.
Someone was watching.
I turned to the investigator.
“Trace it.”
He nodded.
Thirty seconds later:
“It's transmitting to an off-site server.”
“Where?”
He looked shocked.
“Fort Liberty.”
My blood went cold.
Someone was using a military network.
That meant the conspiracy had reached inside my world.
The search was immediately halted.
We left the house.
On the drive home, Abigail was silent.
Then she said:
“Mom?”
“Yes?”
“I think Nicholas was trying to protect me.”
I looked at her.
“What?”
“He told me not to open the room.”
“That's not protection.”
“He looked scared.”
I remembered Nicholas's face at the hospital.
He hadn't looked angry.
He had looked terrified.
Perhaps he wasn't the mastermind.
Perhaps he was another prisoner.
That possibility changed the investigation.
The next day, Nicholas contacted me secretly.
“I need to talk.”
“Where?”
“Somewhere safe.”
We met in a church parking lot.
Nicholas looked exhausted.
“I didn't hurt Abigail.”
“I believe you.”
He stared at me.
“You do?”
“Yes.”
“Why?”
“Because you're afraid.”
He swallowed.
“Gregory knows everything.”
“What does he know?”
“Everything about the foundation.”
“Your family's foundation?”
“No.”
May you like
He shook his head.
“Your mother's.”
