I barely slept that night. Beside me, Aaron rested peacefully, unaware that something buried for years had suddenly begun to rise to the surface.
The next morning I drove to the cabin alone. Dust covered the windows and the silence inside felt heavier than I remembered. Following the instructions exactly, I pulled back the old rug near the fireplace and discovered a loose board beneath it. Hidden underneath was a sealed plastic bag containing a small recording device.
When I pressed play, Ben’s voice filled the room.
He explained that Aaron had been involved in serious corruption within the department and that he intended to expose it publicly. According to the recording, Aaron had become desperate after learning Ben planned to come forward with evidence. Ben said he feared something might happen to him and wanted the truth preserved somewhere his family might eventually find it.
