Chapter 8 — Lucas's Final Video
# The Birthday Surprise
## Chapter 8 — Lucas's Final Video
The garage remained silent as the password screen glowed on the forensic laptop.
Mercer crossed his arms.
"Try his birthday."
The technician entered the date.
Incorrect.
"Ethan," Mercer asked, "did Lucas ever have a favorite number?"
Ethan thought for a moment.
"Not that I remember."
Emily suddenly looked up.
"Wait..."
Everyone turned toward her.
"He always remembered one date."
"What date?"
"Our wedding anniversary."
Ethan stared at her in disbelief.
The technician slowly entered the numbers.
The folder unlocked.
No one spoke.
Inside sat only one file.
A video.
Recorded less than twelve hours earlier.
Mercer clicked Play.
Lucas appeared on the screen wearing the same white shirt he had worn that evening.
He looked exhausted.
His usual confidence had disappeared.
"If you're watching this..."
"...then I've already lost."
He took a deep breath before continuing.
"Ethan..."
"I'm sorry."
"I know those words don't mean much now."
"But you deserve the truth."
Emily covered her mouth.
Lucas looked directly into the camera.
"I never planned to become your friend."
"I was sent."
Ethan felt the room spin.
Lucas continued.
"My job was simple."
"Earn your trust."
"Get close to your family."
"Collect information."
"When Emily entered the picture..."
"...the mission became easier."
Emily burst into tears.
Lucas lowered his eyes.
"I told her I loved her."
"That wasn't true."
"I cared about her..."
"But she was never the objective."
"The Harrison family was."
The garage fell completely silent.
Lucas looked back into the camera one final time.
"If you're wondering who planned all of this..."
"...look at the man you've trusted since your father's funeral."
He leaned closer.
"You call him..."
"'Uncle Charles.'"
The video froze.
Then ended.
No one moved.
Mercer slowly closed the laptop.
Ethan remained staring at the blank screen.
His godfather.
The man who had helped raise him.
The man he had trusted with his company.
Emily whispered,
"Oh my God..."
Mercer finally broke the silence.
"I don't believe Lucas was the mastermind."
"He was only the weapon."
"And now..."
"We're going after the man who pulled the trigger."
The investigation had just taken a far darker turn.
