Chương 7
The building looked forgotten, but Daniel knew forgotten places often held the things people wanted hidden.
He parked the car several yards away and turned off the engine.
Nobody moved for a moment.
Emma looked through the window at the dark building.
"Is someone inside?"
Daniel looked at the entrance.
"I don't know."
Evelyn held the old recorder tightly in her hands.
For her, this was not just a building.
It was a place connected to the last days she had with Sarah.
Daniel stepped out first.
He looked around carefully before opening the back door for Emma.
"Stay close to us."
Emma nodded.
She did not look away from him.
The three of them walked toward the entrance together.
The front door was damaged but unlocked.
Daniel pushed it open slowly.
The sound of the hinges echoed through the empty hallway.
Dust covered the floor.
Old posters hung from the walls.
The community center had once been full of people.
Now it felt like a place that had been abandoned in the middle of a sentence.
Evelyn looked around.
"Sarah loved this place."
Daniel glanced at her.
"Why?"
"Because she thought everyone deserved somewhere safe."
"She used to bring supplies here for families who needed help."
Daniel looked deeper into the building.
A place built to protect people had become connected to so many secrets.
They moved through the hallway while Emma stayed between them.
The same symbol appeared again.
It was scratched into a wooden door near the back of the building.
Daniel touched it carefully.
"She left this here."
Evelyn nodded.
"She wanted someone to find it."
Daniel opened the door.
Inside was a small storage room filled with old boxes and broken furniture.
Nothing appeared unusual at first.
Then Emma stopped.
Daniel noticed immediately.
"What is it?"
She looked toward the corner.
"I've been here before."
The words changed everything.
Evelyn turned quickly.
"What?"
Emma stepped closer but kept holding Daniel's hand.
"I don't remember coming here."
"But it feels familiar."
Daniel looked around the room.
"Are you sure?"
Emma nodded slowly.
"There was a chair."
"And a window."
Daniel followed her eyes.
A small chair sat near the wall covered in dust.
Beside it was a window facing the back field.
His expression became serious.
"Emma, what do you remember?"
She closed her eyes.
"I remember someone talking."
"Who?"
"The man."
"Michael?"
Emma shook her head.
"I don't know."
"Someone else."
Daniel and Evelyn exchanged a worried glance.
A memory was coming back.
Slowly.
Painfully.
Emma walked toward the chair.
She looked frightened but determined.
"I was sitting there."
"Someone told me not to cry."
Daniel moved closer.
"What did they say?"
Emma's voice became quieter.
"They said they were trying to fix a mistake."
Evelyn looked confused.
"What mistake?"
Emma looked at the floor.
"I don't know."
Daniel searched the room carefully.
Near the wall, he noticed a loose wooden panel.
He pulled it gently.
Behind it was a hidden compartment.
Inside were several files wrapped in plastic.
Evelyn covered her mouth.
"Sarah."
Daniel removed the files carefully.
The first page contained names.
Dates.
Locations.
Missing children reports.
His expression hardened.
This was not just research.
It was evidence.
Evelyn looked through the pages.
"These are all children who disappeared."
Daniel nodded.
"How many?"
He counted quickly.
"At least fifteen."
Emma became quiet.
Daniel immediately closed the file.
He did not want her seeing more.
But the truth was becoming impossible to ignore.
Michael Walker had not been hiding one crime.
He had been connected to many.
Evelyn picked up another document.
Her hands started shaking.
"Daniel."
He looked at her.
"This name."
She pointed to the page.
Sarah Carter.
The document was dated only weeks before her disappearance.
Daniel read the notes beneath it.
"Subject identified possible connection between missing children and private adoption records."
Evelyn looked devastated.
"She was trying to expose him."
Daniel nodded.
"Yes."
A sound suddenly came from outside.
Footsteps.
Everyone froze.
Daniel quickly turned off his flashlight.
He motioned for Evelyn and Emma to move behind the shelves.
The footsteps grew closer.
Someone entered the building.
Daniel listened carefully.
Slow breathing.
Heavy steps.
Someone who was not trying to hide.
A man's voice echoed through the hallway.
"I know you're here."
Emma grabbed Daniel's arm.
Evelyn's face turned pale.
Daniel recognized the voice.
Michael Walker.
The man stepped into the room.
He looked older than the pictures.
But his eyes were the same.
Calm.
Confident.
Cold.
"You always were curious, Sarah."
Evelyn stepped forward before Daniel could stop her.
"Where is my daughter?"
Michael looked at her.
For a moment, something almost like regret appeared on his face.
Then it disappeared.
"You still believe she was waiting for you?"
Evelyn's voice shook.
"What did you do to her?"
Daniel moved between them.
"You need to leave."
Michael looked at him.
"You have no idea what you found."
Daniel stared back.
"I know enough."
Michael smiled slightly.
"No."
"You know pieces."
"And pieces can be dangerous."
Emma looked at him from behind Daniel.
Michael noticed her.
His expression changed.
Not fear.
Recognition.
"She shouldn't be here."
Daniel immediately reacted.
"How do you know her?"
Michael looked away.
"Because I tried to keep her safe."
Evelyn laughed bitterly.
"Safe?"
"You locked her in a cage."
Michael's face tightened.
"I was protecting her from people who wanted to use her."
Daniel stepped forward.
"You expect us to believe that?"
Michael looked directly at him.
"You don't know what Sarah discovered."
"She thought she could expose everyone involved."
"She didn't understand how deep it went."
Daniel's eyes narrowed.
"Where is Sarah?"
Michael stayed silent.
That silence told Daniel more than any answer could.
Evelyn stepped closer.
"Is she alive?"
Michael looked at her.
The emotion in his face changed.
For the first time, he looked uncertain.
"I don't know."
Evelyn broke down.
Daniel felt anger rise inside him.
But he controlled it.
"Then tell us everything."
May you like
Michael looked at Emma.
"She is the last piece."
