CHAPTER 13 — PLATFORM NINE
“IF EVELYN IS ALIVE, SHE DOESN’T WANT ME THERE FOR A REASON.”
Richard’s voice followed Michael toward the front door.
Michael had expected anger. Instead, Richard sounded terrified.
Reed insisted Richard remain behind while Michael and Claire traveled to the abandoned station with two trusted investigators. Lily stayed under police protection at the mansion.
Before Michael left, Lily grabbed his sleeve.
“Dad, come back.”
He crouched.
“Always.”
“No,” Lily said seriously. “Don’t promise like Grandpa used to. Just try really hard.”
Michael smiled despite everything.
“That I can promise.”
The station had been abandoned for thirteen years. Broken clocks hung above empty platforms while rainwater dripped through the cracked roof.
The coordinates led them to Platform Nine.
Claire discovered a locker behind an old advertisement.
Inside was a cassette recorder.
Michael pressed play.
Evelyn’s voice filled the empty station.
“If Michael finds this, then North Crown has already fallen.”
Michael stopped breathing.
The recording had been prepared for him.
Evelyn explained that North Crown had never been only Richard’s secret organization. Someone had been manipulating it from outside, feeding Mercer information and quietly ensuring that Michael’s family remained under surveillance.
“Richard thought he was hiding you,” Evelyn said. “He never understood that someone was helping him hide you because they wanted you preserved.”
Claire frowned.
“Preserved for what?”
The recording answered.
“For succession.”
Michael’s stomach tightened.
Then footsteps echoed from the opposite platform.
A woman in a dark coat stood beneath the broken station clock.
Michael knew her face instantly.
“Mom?”
Evelyn Hale looked at her son after more than twenty years.
May you like
Then she raised a finger to her lips.
Behind Michael, one of Reed’s investigators quietly reached for his gun.
