Chapter 7 - MICHAEL'S CELL
Michael woke in a concrete room.
Hands restrained in front.
No visible injury beyond bruising.
No gore.
A camera above him.
Adrian Mercer entered without mask.
Michael recognized him.
“The maintenance guy.”
Adrian smiled.
“Two years late.”
Michael looked around.
“You killed Hale?”
Adrian sat.
“No.”
Michael stared.
“Then where is he?”
“Alive when I last saw him.”
That changed everything.
Adrian had kidnapped Victor.
Not killed him.
“Why?”
“He had copies.”
“Of what?”
“Records.”
Michael laughed weakly.
“You’re still cleaning up your brother’s mess?”
Adrian’s face hardened.
“My brother was convenient.”
“What does that mean?”
“Victor knew.”
Then Adrian explained only enough to confuse him.
Derek Mercer had taken bribes.
True.
But Derek had also kept evidence showing higher officials ordered fraudulent work and diverted federal funds.
Victor Hale discovered it.
Before Derek could cooperate, he died.
Officially suicide.
Adrian believed murder.
He kidnapped Victor two years later to force him to reveal where backup evidence was stored.
Victor refused.
Adrian kept him alive because only Victor knew the encryption phrase.
Then others stumbled across pieces.
Adrian took them too.
Michael realized:
“Hannah. Marcus. Tara. Elliot.”
Adrian smiled.
“Some people are safer missing than dead.”
That was monstrous in a quieter way.
Then Michael asked:
“Why me?”
Adrian leaned forward.
“Because you found the tunnel.”
Then:
“And because Ryan Walker will come looking.”
Michael’s face changed.
Adrian wanted Ryan.
May you like
Not to kill him immediately.
To use him.
