Chapter 15 - Elena Remembers
Mercer demanded safe passage and access to the Vaughn trust.
Agent Sloan refused.
“You have no legal mechanism to receive those shares.”
“I do not need a legal mechanism.”
Mercer’s voice came through the speaker.
“I need the authorization codes stored in the Hale evidence archive.”
Vance understood.
Elena’s case had never only been about financial corruption.
Her evidence included access protocols for a classified navigation system.
In the wrong hands, the system could redirect military aircraft and unmanned weapons.
The Sterling merger would have given Mercer access to the updated network.
Maya spoke into the command microphone.
“Let me talk to her.”
Sloan hesitated.
Mercer answered first.
“Put her on.”
Maya’s voice was transmitted into the bunker.
“Elena.”
The woman on the screen did not respond.
Maya touched the medal.
“My name is Maya Bennett.”
“But when I was little, someone called me Mara.”
Elena’s eyes shifted.
“I have your medal.”
Her breathing changed.
“You placed it in my coat.”
A tear moved down Elena’s face.
Maya continued.
“I remember rain.”
“I remember a man telling me to walk toward the lights.”
“I remember you singing.”
Elena’s lips trembled.
“Blue moon.”
Maya’s heart broke.
“Yes.”
“You sang ‘Blue Moon’ when I was afraid.”
Elena closed her eyes.
Memory seemed to move through her like pain.
“My baby.”
Mercer stepped into the camera frame.
He was older than Maya expected.
His dark blue security uniform was immaculate.
Gold buttons reflected the bunker lights.
He placed a gun against Elena’s head.
“This reunion is touching.”
“Give me the archive codes.”
Maya looked toward Vance.
He shook his head.
The codes could compromise national security.
Maya spoke carefully.
“I do not have them.”
“You control the trust.”
“I only learned who I was yesterday.”
Mercer smiled.
“Then ask Colonel Vance.”
Vance stepped toward the microphone.
“Grant.”
“You know I will not give you those codes.”
“Then you know what happens next.”
Vance glanced toward a tactical diagram.
The steel door was connected to explosives.
A direct breach could kill Elena.
Maya watched her mother on the screen.
Elena’s eyes were clearer now.
They moved toward a red pipe behind Mercer.
Then toward the camera.
She lifted one hand as far as the restraints allowed.
Her fingers formed a sequence.
Three.
Two.
One.
Vance recognized the old military signal.
Take cover.
Elena slammed her chair backward into the red pipe.
Steam exploded through the bunker.
May you like
Mercer fired.
The camera went black.
