We moved through them carrying twenty years of secrets.
Locker 317 sat behind a row of newer units.
Alexander inserted the brass key.
Nothing.
Marcus whispered, “Code.”
A keypad lit.
I typed:
The lock clicked.
Inside was a small black case.
Marcus lifted it carefully.
No wires.
No obvious trap.
He opened it.
Inside lay a cassette recorder, several documents, and one old military medal.
Alexander picked up the medal.
“Daniel’s.”
Beneath it was a handwritten note.
PLAY RECORDING FIRST.
Marcus inserted the cassette.
Daniel’s younger voice filled the small storage room.
“If this recording is being played, then Elena or Thomas has returned.”
Static.
Then:
“Alex, I owe you the truth.”
Alexander’s face tightened.
“I did not disappear because Meridian found me.”
A pause.
“I disappeared because our own command ordered my @ss/@ssin@tion.”
Sofia covered her mouth.
Alexander whispered, “No.”
Daniel continued.
“General Vale discovered I had copied the archive. He ordered Thomas to k/i/ll me.”
