Chapter 4 - What Ethan Had DiscoveredThe police searched Ethan's old storage unit.
I went with Sarah.
Inside were boxes I hadn't opened since his funeral.
Photographs.
Tax records.
Old clothes.
A broken guitar.
Then Sarah found a locked metal case.
My brother's handwriting was on the top.
THOMAS — IF SOMETHING HAPPENS TO ME.
I stared at it.
My hands shook.
“Open it.”
Inside was a flash drive.
And a letter.
Tom,
If you're reading this, I was right to be worried.
Rebecca isn't who she claims to be.
I stopped breathing.
The letter continued.
I found records connecting her to several families.
Children disappear.
Parents are told they ran away.
Some are sent away.
Some never return.
My knees weakened.
Sarah caught my arm.
There was more.
I think she is connected to a trafficking network.
I don't know how high it goes.
If I die, don't confront her.
Protect Leo and Maya.
Trust no one who tells you this is just grief.
I stared at the final line.
And whatever you do, don't let Rebecca know I found the records.
I looked at Sarah.
“Ethan knew.”
“Yes.”
“He was investigating her.”
“Yes.”
“And then he died.”
Sarah nodded.
The pieces were finally fitting together.
The flash drive contained dozens of files.
Photographs.
Bank transfers.
Names.
Addresses.
And one video.
Ethan had recorded himself.
He looked exhausted.
“Tom, if you're seeing this, I didn't have time.”
He glanced toward the door.
“I found evidence that Rebecca isn't working alone.”
He paused.
“There is someone above her.”
The video cut.
Then restarted.
Ethan whispered,
“It's someone in law enforcement.”
My blood ran cold.
He named a detective.
Someone who had responded to my brother's death.
Someone who had signed the original report.
Someone who had told us there was nothing suspicious.
Sarah watched the video.
Her expression became unreadable.
“Do you know him?”
“Yes.”
“Then we don't tell anyone yet.”
“Why?”
“Because if Ethan was right…”
May you like
She looked at me.
“We don't know who we can trust.”
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