The Amnesiac's Secret

Chapter Seven: Confrontation

Evelyn's heart raced as they stood outside the suspected mole's apartment building. The weight of uncertainty hung heavy in the air, each breath feeling like a struggle against the unknown. She glanced at Laura, who nodded, her expression determined.

"We have to do this," Laura said, her voice firm. "We need to find out the truth."

Evelyn took a deep breath, steeling herself for what lay ahead. With a nod, they climbed the steps to the apartment door and knocked.

A few moments passed before the door swung open, revealing a middle-aged man with tired eyes and a worn expression. He blinked in surprise at the sight of Evelyn and Laura standing there.

"Can I help you?" he asked, his voice wary.

Evelyn squared her shoulders, her resolve firm. "We need to talk to you about your involvement in Senator Hawthorne's investigation."

The man's eyes widened in shock, but he quickly recovered, his expression turning guarded. "I don't know what you're talking about. I'm just a cop trying to do my job."

Evelyn held his gaze, unflinching. "We know about your history of disciplinary issues, your gambling debts, and your ties to certain individuals implicated in Hawthorne's investigation. We also know that you've been feeding information to the syndicate."

The man's face paled, his facade crumbling under Evelyn's scrutiny. "I don't know what you're talking about," he repeated, but his voice wavered.

Laura stepped forward, her eyes flashing with determination. "Enough lies. We have evidence linking you to the syndicate. If you don't want to end up in jail, you'll tell us everything you know."

The man hesitated, his gaze darting between Evelyn and Laura. Finally, he sighed, the fight draining from his shoulders. "Alright, fine. I'll talk. But you have to promise me protection. They'll kill me if they find out I've been talking."

Evelyn nodded, her heart pounding with anticipation. "We'll do everything we can to keep you safe. Now tell us what you know."

The man ushered them inside, his hands trembling slightly. He led them to the living room and gestured for them to sit. Evelyn and Laura exchanged a glance before taking a seat, their attention focused on the man before them.

"I've been working with the syndicate for years," he began, his voice low. "They approached me with an offer I couldn't refuse. Money, protection, you name it. All I had to do was feed them information from the inside."

Evelyn's stomach churned with disgust, but she kept her expression neutral, urging the man to continue.

"I didn't think much of it at first," he continued, his voice tinged with regret. "But then things started to escalate. They wanted more than just information—they wanted me to do their dirty work for them. When they told me to frame you for Hawthorne's murder, I knew I had to draw the line."

Evelyn felt a surge of vindication. "So you're the reason they drugged me and left me in that alley?"

The man nodded, shame written across his face. "I'm sorry. I never meant for things to go this far. I just wanted to protect myself and my family."

Laura's voice was cold as steel. "You'll have to testify against them. We need your cooperation if we're going to take them down."

The man hesitated, fear flickering in his eyes. "I don't know if I can do that. They'll kill me if they find out I've been talking."

Evelyn leaned forward, her voice soft but firm. "We'll protect you. But you have to do the right thing. You have to help us bring them to justice."

After a long moment of silence, the man nodded. "Alright. I'll do it. But you have to promise me you'll keep me safe."

Evelyn and Laura exchanged a glance, their determination unwavering. "We promise," Evelyn said, her voice steady.

As they left the apartment, Evelyn felt a sense of relief wash over her. They had a witness—a witness who could help them bring down the syndicate once and for all. But their victory was short-lived, overshadowed by the knowledge that their battle was far from over.