Chapter 10 - THE MAN OUTSIDE RONAN'S DOOR
Thomas Vale disappeared before Ronan returned.
His room empty.
Vehicle gone.
Security credentials disabled too late.
Ronan wanted to hunt him personally.
Sadie said:
“No.”
He turned.
“This is not your decision.”
“No.”
She looked at him.
“But neither is it yours alone.”
Police had evidence.
Federal investigators now had Night Falcon files.
Vale was wanted for questioning in conspiracy, trafficking, and abduction-related matters.
Ronan could either help the investigation or create another violent mess.
He chose help.
Barely.
Evelyn noticed.
She signed:
Learning.
Sadie translated.
Ronan gave his mother an offended look.
Then investigators uncovered Thomas Vale’s history.
His real name:
Thomas Marsh.
Graham Marsh’s son.
Edwin and Claire’s cousin.
The family network had been inside Raven Hill for decades.
Thomas changed surnames after joining private security.
Sterling Cain hired him without knowing the connection.
Or claimed not to.
Thomas became close to Ronan after Declan’s death.
He managed access.
Routes.
Background checks.
The perfect place to intercept anyone searching for Declan.
Including Sadie.
That explained her file.
Her suspiciously clean record.
Thomas had rewritten it.
Not to protect her.
To monitor her.
Beacon Staffing records showed someone requested her assignment to Raven Hill specifically.
Account:
T. Vale.
Sadie stopped.
“So the kitchen joke…”
June looked sick.
“I thought I chose you.”
No.
Thomas arranged the placement.
June merely moved the tray into Sadie’s hands.
He wanted Sadie near Evelyn.
Why?
To see whether Evelyn recognized the falcon tattoo.
A test.
If Evelyn reacted, Thomas would know Sadie carried Declan’s message.
Wesley’s humiliating video?
Thomas had encouraged staff to film temporary workers for “security review.”
Every cruel little joke had been surveillance.
Sadie felt sick.
Then investigators found Thomas’s private messages.
To Graham Marsh.
CALLAWAY GIRL ARRIVES MONDAY.
OLD WOMAN RECOGNIZED MARK.
CODE MAY STILL EXIST.
And:
CHILD IS LEVERAGE IF NEEDED.
Ronan read that line twice.
His face became something dangerous.
Sadie stepped beside him.
“No.”
He did not look at her.
“He threatened your daughter.”
“Yes.”
“He used my mother.”
“Yes.”
“You want me to do nothing?”
“I want you to do something that doesn’t turn you into the reason evidence disappears.”
Ronan finally looked at her.
Then handed the phone to the federal agent.
Good.
That afternoon, Thomas Vale was stopped at the Canadian border.
Alive.
No shootout.
No legend.
Just handcuffs.
He asked for counsel.
Evidence would do the rest.
Then his vehicle was searched under warrant.
Inside:
A passport.
Not his.
Name:
DECLAN CAIN.
Photograph:
A man who looked older, thinner, but unmistakably Ronan’s brother.
Passport issued eleven months earlier.
Declan was alive recently.
May you like
And the travel record showed one entry into the United States.
Six days ago.
