LOGINThe person with the password looked at them quietly."I have it because your father gave it to me."Belli felt her heart stop for a moment."My father?"The man nodded slowly."I was his friend. He trusted me."Belli stepped closer."Why didn't you tell me before?"The man looked away."Because I was afraid. Marcus had eyes everywhere. Anyone who tried to expose him became a target."Zack watched him carefully."Why should we believe you?"The man looked at Zack."Because I helped your father hide the files. I was there when he decided to fight back against Marcus."Belli's eyes filled with questions."My father was trying to stop Marcus?"The man nodded."Yes. At first, he made mistakes. He worked with Marcus because he needed money and protection.""But then he saw what Marcus was really doing.""He saw the people Marcus hurt. He saw how many lives were destroyed.""He wanted to fix his mistake."Belli felt pain in her chest.All her life, she thought she knew her father.Now she wa
Sarah's voice came through the phone."I know who has the password."Zack held the phone tight."Who?"Sarah took a deep breath."John."Belli looked at Zack."Uncle John?"Emily sat up."He is alive?"Sarah spoke fast."Yes. He has been hiding for years. He knows the password. He is the only one who can open the real drive."Zack looked at Belli."We need to find him."Belli nodded."Where is he?"Sarah gave them an address."An old house outside the city.""Be careful. He may not want to see you."The call ended.Belli looked at Zack."My uncle is alive."Zack put his arm around her."We will find him."Emily stood up."I will come with you."They left the safe house.The car started.The road was long.Belli looked out the window.Her mind was full of questions.Her father had worked with Marcus.He had hidden things.Now her uncle was alive.She felt her chest hurt.Zack looked at her."You are thinking about your father."Belli nodded."I thought he was good."Zack took her hand.
Belli stared at what she found inside the waterproof case.Her hands shook as she pulled out an old flash drive, a stack of photographs, and a folded letter.The letter was handwritten.The paper felt old and thin.She opened it.The words were from her father.She read them out loud."My dear girls,I made a mistake.I worked with Marcus for money.I thought I could protect you.But I was wrong.I tried to stop him.I hid the evidence.The real drive is with the password in the safe house.The one by the old bridge.I love you both.Forgive me.Father."Belli's eyes filled with tears.She looked at Emily.Emily took the letter.Her hands shook too."He tried," Emily said.Zack stood close.He took the flash drive.He put it in his pocket."We need to get this open."Belli looked at the photographs.They were old.One showed her father with Marcus.Another showed her father with a man they all knew.Emily saw it.Her eyes widened."That is Uncle John."Belli looked closer.The man in
Belli shook her head."We can't just wait."Zack looked at the dark water."The current is strong."Emily stood up slowly."I remember something."She pointed down the river."There is an old drainage gate.""Things get stuck there."Zack nodded."We go now."They left the car.The night air was cold.The river smelled wet and dirty.Belli walked close to Zack.Her hand held his.Emily walked behind them.Her shoulder hurt with every step.They reached the riverbank.The water rushed fast.The moon gave a little light.Zack looked at the gate."It is close."Belli stepped forward.Her shoes sank in the mud.She looked at the water.The gate was old.Metal bars stuck out.Zack moved first.He walked along the edge.His eyes searched the water.Emily followed.Her hand pressed against her wound.Belli stayed close.Her heart beat fast.They searched for a long time.The water was cold.The mud stuck to their shoes.Belli saw something."Look."She pointed.A small box was caught in the
Belli walked out of the prison gates.The sun felt too bright on her face.She stopped for a second.Her legs felt heavy.Zack put his arm around her.Emily walked beside them.None of them spoke.The car waited in the parking lot.They got inside.Zack started the engine.The road felt long.Belli looked out the window.Her hands stayed in her lap.She kept thinking about her father.The words from Marcus kept coming back.Zack looked at her."Are you okay?"Belli shook her head."I don't know."Emily leaned forward from the back seat."I should have told you sooner."Belli turned to her."Why didn't you?"Emily looked down."I was scared.""I thought if you knew, you would hate me too."Zack kept his eyes on the road."We need the full story."Emily nodded."Father owed Marcus money.""He was going to give him our house.""He was going to give him everything."Belli's throat felt tight."Why?"Emily's voice was quiet."He said it was the only way to keep us safe."Zack's hands tight
The safe house felt different that morning.The sun came through the windows.The forest looked peaceful.Belli stood by the door.She looked outside.Zack stood beside her.His hand touched her back.Emily sat on the couch.She looked better.The bandage on her shoulder was clean.The three of them had talked all night.They had a plan.They would leave today.They would go to the city.They would meet Sarah's contact.They would end this.Belli turned to Zack."Are you ready?"Zack nodded."I am."Emily stood up.She walked to them."I'm ready too."They packed their things.They ate a simple breakfast.The food tasted good.They felt strong.They got into the car.Zack drove.Belli sat beside him.Emily sat in the back.The road was quiet.The trees passed by.No one spoke for a long time.Then Emily broke the silence."I want to say something."Belli turned to her."What is it?"Emily looked at them."I am sorry for everything.""I was wrong.""I hurt you both."Zack looked at her







