In the Shadow Of Memory

Chapter 41

Detective Jonathan awoke to the sound of a steady knock at his door. It was a knock with a rhythm he heard Yeats ago... No way, He checked the clock-3 a.m. With a groan, he grabbed his robe, shuffled down the hallway, and peeked through the peephole. Three silhouettes stood in the dim light of the hallway.

Two men and unfamiliar girl stood before him. He recognized one immediately: Adam. Trusted, skilled, and known in circles that weren't exactly clean but weren't fully corrupt either. The man beside him, though-he didn't recognize him. Younger, sharp eyes, a hardened jaw, the kind of person who had seen things. Right by him, stood a girl with black framed glasses, a salty look and black short hair... her face looked unrecognizable but he ignored it. Before Jonathan could speak, the stranger stepped forward.

"We're here for Mia's safety," the man said, his voice low and serious.

Jonathan studied them for a moment, then opened the door wider. "Come in," he said. They followed him to the kitchen, the floor creaking under their weight. Jonathan switched on the light, revealing their faces. Adam looked worn, the lines on his face deeper than the last time they'd crossed paths. He recognized the girl as Mia and waited for an explanation for her appearance. The younger man remained unreadable.

Jonathan busied himself with making coffee, the silence heavy between them. As he placed the mugs on the table, Adam finally spoke. "So how's work Adam?"

"Oh, I work with the FBI department and crashing down gangs and Mafias right now. I miss working on cases with you."

"Oh those were the only times," he smiled. " Anyways, what's going on?"

"Detective, you're gonna want to sit down for this."

Jonathan sat, his eyes shifting between the men and Mia. "I'm listening."

The younger man leaned forward. "My name's Lucas now, but you knew me as Mason." Jonathan froze, the name sinking in like a weight. Mason Archer-the boy who disappeared five years ago. The one who left a mystery in his wake. The boy Jonathan had investigated for months with no answers. And now, he was sitting in his kitchen. He glanced at Mia who smiled sweetly and realizing that she really was hiding something.

"Mason?" Jonathan whispered, his eyes wide. "You're alive?"

"Alive, but not the same." Lucas-Mason-looked Jonathan square in the eye, his voice steady but laced with years of pain. "The Mafia took me, changed me. Forced me into their world. Gave me a new face, a new name. But I'm still me. And Mia...she's in more danger than you can imagine."

Jonathan took a moment to process. He glanced at Adam, and then at Mia who nodded, silently confirming the truth. "You're saying Mia is in danger?"

"Yes," Lucas replied, his expression grim. "But we got her out, just barely. She's safe now, but it won't stay that way for long if we don't act."

Adam leaned back in his chair, arms crossed. "We've got a plan, Detective. It's not clean, but it's the only way. We need to create a new identity for Mia. Stage her death. Make it look like she froze to death somewhere out there, far from the city. A funeral will be planned. Her family will grieve, and she'll disappear...completely. No one can know the truth, except for us."

Jonathan leaned forward, his mind racing. "You're talking about a complete erasure. A false death report?"

Adam nodded. "I'll handle the details. We'll plant evidence-a body, false reports, news coverage. We'll make it look airtight. But Mia needs to go away, far from here. New country, new life. It's the only way to keep her safe."

"Please Detective!" Mia begged. "I know it wasn't right for me hiding the true fact that Mason is alive but it was the right timing to keep it shut. Mafia's been keeping an eye on me." She quickly explained the story leaving Detective stuck in his thoughts knowing he was so close to solve it.

Lucas spoke up again. "We can't let her get pulled back into this mess. Daisy's in the Mafia, and so is her father. They won't stop until Mia's dead. We need to make sure they think they've won. That she's no longer a threat."

Jonathan sat back, digesting everything. "And what about you?" he asked Lucas. "What's your part in this?"

Lucas's eyes darkened. "I need a new identity too. I'm not safe either, not as long as I'm still tied to Mason Archer. I'm asking you to help me disappear, Detective. Just like we're going to do with Mia."

The detective rubbed his temples, the weight of the situation pressing down on him. This wasn't just a case anymore. This was a complete rewrite of people's lives, erasing everything they were to protect them. He looked at Lucas, remembering the boy who went missing. Now he sat here, hardened by the world he'd been forced into.

Adam interrupted his thoughts. "Look, we know this isn't standard procedure, but the Mafia doesn't play by the rules. If we don't do this, Mia's life-and Lucas's-will never be safe."

Jonathan sighed. "Alright," he muttered. "But we need to be careful. One slip-up, and the whole thing falls apart."

Lucas pulled a small flash drive from his pocket and slid it across the table. "This is everything I have on the Mafia. Names, places, operations. I've been collecting it for years, and it's time to use it. I made copies of everything just in case something goes wrong. I always imagined that one day, Mia will help me get out of this mess but I guess it's more then just her."

Jonathan picked up the flash drive, his thumb brushing over it thoughtfully. "Mia did play a good role on it, she put my suspicion after finding your diary and calling me. I felt that you were alive. This...this could blow the whole thing wide open," he said, realizing the potential of what he held. "

Lucas nodded. "That's the idea. But I need time to set things in motion. I'll catch up with you later to go over everything. Just promise me you'll keep Mia safe."

Adam stood up, clapping a hand on Jonathan's shoulder. "We'll handle the rest, Detective. You're not in this alone."

Jonathan met Lucas's gaze and nodded. "I'll do my part. We're all in deep now."

The four of them stood, a mutual understanding between them. Adam and Lucas turned to leave, but before they stepped out, Lucas stopped.

"One more thing," Lucas said, his voice quiet but firm. "I didn't want Mia dragged into this. I never wanted any of this for her. I'll take care of everything, I promise you. But I need you to help her disappear. For good."

Jonathan gave a grim nod. "Consider it done."

With that, Lucas, Mia and Adam disappeared into the night, leaving Jonathan alone in his kitchen, holding the flash drive that could change everything.

He was clearly shock knowing how deep Mia went but how she opened up the case. He really got FBI on the spot they should solve.