Chapter 6 - the memory in the attic
The attic smelled of dry insulation, cedar wood, and old cardboard boxes. Golden dust motes floated through the air as Michael pulled the overhead light cord, illuminating the narrow space beneath the rafters.
Daniel navigated the narrow floorboards until he reached a dusty cedar chest sitting beside a disassembled baby crib. He lifted the heavy wooden lid, pulling out stacks of old police certificates, framed commendations, and a silver officer's badge from his early academy days.
Claire climbed up the ladder behind him, watching as her brother systematically inspected every item.
"There's nothing here, Dan," Claire whispered, touching his shoulder. "You packed this box yourself in front of me."
Daniel picked up his old silver officer's crest—a heavy piece of solid brass and white enamel stamped with his original badge number, 4012. He turned it over in his hand, feeling the weight.
"This badge was given to me by Commissioner Harrison at my ten-year ceremony," Daniel murmured, his thumb tracing the worn metal edges.
He reached into his pocket, pulled out a small tactical knife, and pried at the thin seam running along the back of the heavy silver plating.
With a sharp click, the back panel of the badge popped open, revealing a paper-thin micro-encryption chip embedded directly into the brass lining.
Claire gasped, her hand covering her mouth. "Harrison planted it on you five years ago..."
"He didn't plant it to frame me," Daniel realized, his eyes narrowing into cold focus. "He used my badge as a cold-storage vault. If internal affairs ever raided his private office, the master evidence file was sitting right on my chest during every shift, completely hidden in plain sight."
Suddenly, Rex, who was standing guard at the base of the attic stairs down in the hallway, let out a deep, sharp bark.
A loud metallic crunch echoed from the front driveway outside, followed by the sound of heavy boots hitting the front porch steps!
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Michael looked out the small attic gable window. "Daniel... there are two black unmarked vans pulled up across the lawn. Men in tactical gear are moving toward the front doors!"
"Harrison's clean-up crew," Daniel said, gripping the micro-chip tight in his fist. "They aren't here for the drive anymore. They're here to erase everyone who knows it exists."
