Chapter 17 - Sarah’s File
Then Lily said, “We look.”
The file was small.
SARAH CARTER - INCIDENTAL CONTACT.
My wife had not been part of Ashbridge.
But after seeing Ben with Keene, she became a risk.
Keene ordered passive surveillance.
No threats.
No approach.
Just observation.
For six months.
Then Sarah confronted Ben.
That was why he trusted her with the Easter key.
The file ended years before Sarah died.
Her death from cancer had nothing to do with Ashbridge.
I felt guilty for the relief.
Lily understood.
“Mom was sick. That’s all.”
“Yes.”
Keene’s attempt to use Sarah failed.
We gave him nothing.
He eventually cooperated anyway.
Federal indictments came in waves.
Evelyn Whitmore.
Chief Pike.
Thomas Keene.
Dominic Rusk.
Former officials.
Contractors.
Richard faced assault, conspiracy, unlawful surveillance, and financial fraud charges.
His cooperation reduced nothing about the assault itself.
Lily filed for divorce.
She did not ask me to handle it.
One afternoon she returned to North Ridge.
I followed fifty feet behind because she let me.
The tunnel entrance had been sealed as a federal evidence site.
She stood over the field where her mother once planned to build a small house.
“What do I do with this place?”
“Whatever you want.”
“Sell it?”
“If you want.”
“Keep it?”
“If you want.”
She looked at me.
“You’re really bad at advice.”
“I’m improving.”
She smiled.
Then she said, “I want to build something here.”
“What?”
“A center.”
“For what?”
“Women leaving violent homes. Legal help. Emergency housing. Child care.”
I stared at her.
“That sounds expensive.”
She raised an eyebrow.
“You’re the secret federal guy. Find donors.”
I laughed.
Then my satellite phone rang.
I had kept it powered for the investigation.
Dana’s voice.
“Michael, we found Caleb Voss.”
I stopped smiling.
“Alive?”
“Yes.”
“Where?”
“Bellhaven.”
“He’s been there the whole time?”
Dana paused.
“Closer than that.”
May you like
Caleb Voss had been living under another name.
As Richard Whitmore’s accountant.
