Chapter 11: The Person I Trusted

I spent the entire night going through the documents Daniel had given me.

Every page revealed another piece of a life I thought I understood.

The stolen credentials.

The missing equipment.

The secret research project.

The money transfers.

And the fire.

But one thing still didn't make sense.

Who had access to my credentials?

I opened the institute's employee records.

My password had been changed twice during the month before the fire.

Both changes had been made from the same administrative terminal.

The terminal was assigned to the project coordinator.

Elara.

My hands went cold.

I checked the access logs again.

Elara had entered my office after hours three times that month.

Each time, I had been away.

Each time, my computer had been accessed.

I remembered those nights.

I had been told Elara needed to borrow a document.

I had never questioned it.

Why would I?

She was my best friend.

For years, I had defended her without hesitation.

I had believed every explanation.

I had cleaned up her mistakes.

I had covered for her missed deadlines.

I had even helped prepare documents for research she barely acknowledged me for.

And all along, she had been using me.

My phone suddenly rang.

Callan.

I watched his name on the screen.

This time, I answered.

What do you want?

His voice was quiet.

I need to see you.

Why?

Because I finally know who stole your credentials.

My heart jumped.

Who?

I can't say over the phone.

Then don't say anything.

Meet me tomorrow.

I hesitated.

Where?

The old coffee shop near the institute.

I almost refused.

Then I remembered that I needed answers.

Fine.

The next afternoon, Callan was already waiting.

He looked worse than he had during our meeting.

His clothes were wrinkled, his eyes tired.

He stood when I approached.

Sage.

Sit down.

I remained standing.

Tell me.

He swallowed.

Elara used your computer.

I already know.

His face changed.

How?

Daniel showed me the records.

Callan closed his eyes.

Then you know everything.

Not everything.

I want to hear it from you.

He looked at me for a long moment.

Elara stole your credentials because she needed someone to blame for the unauthorized purchases.

You knew?

I found out three months before the fire.

My chest tightened.

Three months?

Why didn't you tell me?

Because she threatened you.

I stared at him.

What?

She said if I exposed her, she would make sure you were blamed for everything.

You could have protected me.

I tried.

No.

My voice shook.

You protected her.

Callan looked down.

You're right.

For the first time, he didn't argue.

He didn't make excuses.

He just admitted it.

I loved her like family.

I couldn't believe she would betray us.

And what about me?

His eyes lifted.

I loved you too.

The words should have mattered.

Once, they would have destroyed every wall around my heart.

Now they sounded empty.

You loved me, but you let me believe I was worthless.

I know.

You loved me, but you let everyone think I was stealing your attention from Elara.

I know.

You loved me, but when I was burning in that building, you called her name.

His eyes filled with regret.

I know.

I shook my head.

That's the problem, Callan.

You always know after the damage is done.

He reached into his coat and placed a small drive on the table.

There's more.

I didn't touch it.

What is it?

A recording.

Of what?

Elara and me, two nights before the fire.

My pulse quickened.

Why are you giving this to me?

Because you deserve the truth.

I took the drive.

Before I could leave, Callan spoke again.

Sage, there's something else.

I stopped.

The person who ordered Elara to destroy the records wasn't Elara.

I turned around.

Then who was it?

Callan looked terrified.

Someone above us.

Someone who had access to the entire institute.

Who?

He opened his mouth.

Then the coffee shop window behind me shattered.

People screamed.

Callan grabbed my arm and pulled me down.

A bullet struck the wall where my head had been seconds earlier.

Callan covered me with his body.

Sage, don't move.

Across the street, a black car sped away.

Callan looked at me.

Now you understand why I was afraid to tell you.

I clutched the recording drive in my hand.

Someone wasn't just hiding the truth anymore.

Someone was willing to kill to keep it buried.