The Hidden Recording
Victor Hale looked ordinary.
Gray hair.
Expensive black coat.
Polite expression.
He stood among the veterans as if he belonged there.
But Edward recognized him immediately.
"That's him."
Henry stared.
"Are you sure?"
"Absolutely."
Victor looked toward the building.
Their eyes met.
Then Victor smiled.
He turned and walked away.
Henry rushed outside.
Victor was gone.
Only a black sedan remained.
Police searched the cemetery.
No trace.
But Henry discovered something.
Victor had signed the funeral guestbook.
Not with his real name.
With the name of a dead soldier.
Michael Reed.
Henry stared at the signature.
"He wants us to know."
Edward shook his head.
"No."
"He wants us afraid."
Henry returned to the hidden room.
The cassette recording contained another layer.
A second recording had been hidden behind the tape.
William's voice returned.
"I knew Victor would come."
"I knew he would look for the evidence."
"That's why I created a final trap."
Henry listened carefully.
"Atlas and Titan were trained to recognize the sound."
"What sound?"
William answered.
"The emergency signal."
Henry looked at the dogs.
Then he understood.
At the funeral, Atlas had barked toward the coffin because he had heard something.
Not smelled it.
He had heard a specific sound.
A signal William had taught him.
A signal that meant danger.
Henry whispered,
"The coffin."
Edward nodded.
"Exactly."
Something had been hidden inside it.
And Atlas had known.
