Chapter 12: His Last Words

My hands shook as I stared at the envelope.

It couldn't be.

I knew that handwriting.

I'd seen it on birthday cards, sticky notes on the fridge, and the notebook he never let anyone touch.

There was no mistake.

It was my brother's.

"Open it," the police officer said gently.

I looked at my mother.

She nodded, tears streaming down her face.

With trembling fingers, I broke the seal.

Inside was a single sheet of paper.

No date.

No address.

Just a message.

Maya,

If you're reading this, it means I ran out of time.

A lump formed in my throat.

First, I need you to know one thing. I never abandoned you. Every choice I made was to keep you alive. One day, you'll understand why.

Tears rolled down my cheeks.

There are people who will lie to you. Some will pretend to protect you. Others will pretend to love you. Trust actions, not words.

I stopped reading.

The sentence hit me harder than anything else.

Trust actions, not words.

I folded the letter halfway.

"What is it?" Daniel asked softly.

I couldn't answer.

I continued reading.

The key isn't for money. It isn't for treasure. It's proof. Proof that can destroy people who have spent years hiding the truth.

Samuel lowered his head.

The woman in black...

She hadn't been chasing a key.

She'd been chasing evidence.

My heart raced as I reached the final lines.

There's only one person who knows where the lock is.

I held my breath.

Find Professor Elias. He'll know what to do. But Maya... if anyone reaches him before you do... it's already too late.

The letter ended with two words.

Forgive me.

I clutched the paper against my chest.

"I have to find him."

Before anyone could respond, one of the officers received a call on his radio.

His expression changed instantly.

"Sir?"

"What is it?" another officer asked.

"The address."

"What about it?"

The officer swallowed.

"We just received a report."

"Speak."

He looked directly at me.

"Professor Elias's house caught fire less than an hour ago."

The world around me went silent.

Then came the words I dreaded most.

"They haven't found his body."