Semua Bab Beneath Lagos Rain: Bab 141 - Bab 150

The echo of boots grew louder.Measured.Disciplined.Unhurried.Whoever was leading the task force knew exactly where they were going.Samuel immediately moved to the entrance of the meeting hall."Joseph.""Lock the western corridor."Joseph nodded and sprinted away with two volunteers.Grace gathered the journals that had been selected for scanning.Nathan carefully closed the wooden cases containing the original witness statements.Michael remained still.Listening.Then he spoke."They're not searching."Everyone turned to him."They're walking directly to this room."Adrian frowned."Which means they know where we are."Samuel's jaw tightened."They've been guided."The footsteps stopped outside the door.Three firm knocks followed.No one answered.A calm voice came from the other side."Mr. Samuel Okoro.""I know you're inside.""I'd rather not damage the door."Samuel looked at Damian.Damian nodded once.Samuel slowly opened the door.Standing outside was a tall man in a nav

Silence settled over the damaged Archive.The only sounds were the crackling of dying flames and the steady drip of water from the ceiling as firefighters extinguished the last pockets of fire.Damian stared at the silver cufflink in Justice Sani's gloved hand.He wished he had been mistaken.But he wasn't."I bought this design."Everyone turned to him."What?" Samuel asked.Damian swallowed."Three years ago."He took the evidence bag and examined the cufflink closely."My father wanted a limited edition made.""Only twelve pairs were produced."Nathan frowned."Are you certain?"Damian nodded."I designed the phoenix myself."Grace looked confused."Then everyone who owns one can be identified.""Yes."Damian replied."Every pair was engraved with a unique serial number."Justice Sani looked interested."You kept records?""My company keeps records of every luxury commission."Samuel's eyes lit up."That means we can identify the owner.""Exactly."Damian looked down at the tiny en

The cursor hovered over the video for a brief moment before Joseph clicked Play.The screen went black.Static filled the speakers.Then...A dimly lit room appeared.No windows.No furniture.Just a single chair positioned beneath a hanging light.The chair was empty.For nearly ten seconds, nothing happened.Nathan frowned."Is this some kind of joke?"Before anyone could answer...A figure stepped into the light.He wore a dark overcoat.Leather gloves.His face was hidden behind a plain white mask.No symbols.No expression.Only two openings for his eyes.His voice was calm.Distorted by an electronic filter."If you're watching this...""...then you've survived the mountain."Amara's heart skipped.The man continued."I expected nothing less."Justice Sani immediately turned to one of his officers."Record everything."The officer nodded and began copying the video.On the screen, the masked man slowly clasped his hands behind his back."You believe you've uncovered the truth."

The room remained silent.Every eye was fixed on the confidential list displayed on Joseph's laptop.AMARA NWOSUDO NOT RECRUITThree words.Written in red ink.Three words that had rewritten everything they thought they knew about the graduation gala.Samuel leaned closer."Can you enlarge the note?"Joseph zoomed in carefully.The handwriting became clearer.Grace frowned."It wasn't typed.""No."Joseph agreed."It was handwritten after the document was printed."Nathan looked at Michael."Do you recognise it?"Michael adjusted his glasses.For a long moment, he said nothing.Then he slowly shook his head."No.""But I recognise the habit.""What habit?""The writer always underlined the final word."Everyone looked again.He was right.The word RECRUIT had a short, deliberate line beneath it.Michael's face grew thoughtful."I've seen that style before.""But I can't remember where."Damian folded his arms."If someone inside Horizon marked Amara as untouchable...""...then someon

No one noticed the man disappear into the crowd.Every member of the team was transfixed by the voice flowing from the old cassette recorder.Static crackled softly.Then Chinelo spoke again.Calm.Measured.As though she had expected this moment all along."My name is Chinelo Nwosu.""If this recording has been found...""...then someone chose courage over fear."Amara closed her eyes.Tears rolled silently down her cheeks.She had spent years trying to remember her mother's voice.Now every word was bringing forgotten memories back to life.Chinelo continued."Michael...""If you're listening...""...thank you."Michael lowered his head.His hands trembled."You probably think you failed me.""You didn't.""You failed the lie.""There is a difference."Samuel quietly placed a hand on Michael's shoulder.The old Keeper could no longer hold back his tears.The recording continued."I know why you're here.""You're looking for me."A pause.Then a gentle laugh."You won't find me today