The Lost Legacy

9. Chasing Lost Truths

Caci's pov : 

We decided to visit the old brick building where my father had worked as a journalist. As we approached the office of the journal, a wave of excitement mixed with anxiety washed over me. The towering structure seemed to hum with memories of the stories it had once told. My heart raced—this place was linked to my father, and I was about to delve deeper into the legacy he had left behind.

I glanced at Aida, her wide eyes reflecting my anticipation. Beside us, Liam stood with a furrowed brow, his hands stuffed in his pockets, betraying his usual confidence. I sensed a subtle tension in him, one I couldn't quite place but felt all too acutely.

Blake Roger, a familiar face from college, greeted us at the door with a smile that made my stomach twist. "Hey, Caci! Aida! Liam! Glad to see you all here." He leaned slightly closer to me, that familiar flirtatious glint in his eye. I noticed Liam's posture stiffen beside me, and I couldn't help but smile at the way he shifted his weight, clearly annoyed.

"Let's head inside," Blake said, stepping aside to let us in. The office was bustling with activity, the air filled with the scent of fresh coffee and the sound of fingers tapping on keyboards. I could see journalists poring over old papers and discussing past stories. It felt alive, just as I imagined it would be.

Blake led us to a quiet corner where an older member of the journal staff awaited us. His name tag read Mr. Lawson, and he looked up with a welcoming smile. "I've heard so much about your father. He was a remarkable man."

I felt a swell of pride at the mention of my dad, but it was tinged with a hint of sadness. "Thank you," I managed to reply, my voice steady despite the emotions swirling inside me.

"After his passing, we uncovered some fascinating information about his work with Veritas," Mr. Lawson continued. "We kept it quiet until you arrived, out of respect for him and for you. He should be celebrated for the impact he had."

As he spoke, Blake leaned closer to me, his presence suddenly more pronounced. "Your dad was a hero, Caci. He did things most wouldn't dare to do." I smiled back, enjoying the moment. Liam's annoyance only fueled my playful spirit.

Mr. Lawson then handed me a case file. "This is one of the last cases Frode was working on—Audrey Guilbert, a ten-year-old girl who disappeared on June 19, 1999, during a school trip to Mesteroz."

I felt a chill run down my spine as I opened the file. Inside was a picture of a bright-eyed girl, her smile innocent and full of life. "She never returned home, and her parents received a threat call demanding money, instructing them not to involve the police." My heart raced. How could anyone put a family through such horror?

Liam stood beside me, his presence comforting yet tense. I could sense his frustration directed at Blake, who seemed to take every opportunity to lean in closer. I played along, giving Blake a playful smile, watching as Liam's jaw tightened in response.

I continued to read. "The last day Frode was alive, he left this case file in his office," Mr. Lawson said, his voice grave. "We only connected the dots after you arrived. It's been kept in the shadows, but your father wanted to help them."

I looked at the address listed in the file: 22, 3rd Street, East Bay Road, Svaire. It felt like a weight settling in my chest. I was stepping into my father's footsteps, carrying on his work, but the reality of the task ahead loomed large.

Blake leaned over, pointing at the case file. "You know, if you want, I can help you reach out to the family. They must be devastated after all these years." The eagerness in his voice was hard to ignore, and I could sense Liam's tension mounting beside me.

"Thanks, Blake, but I think we can handle that," Liam replied with a glimpse of jealousy in his eyes.

Blake seemed undeterred, his tone brightening. "I can get you the contact details right now!" He turned away to speak with one of the older staff members, leaving me with a fleeting sense of relief.

Liam crossed his arms, his jaw set as he watched Blake walk away. "You don't need his help, do you?" he asked, his voice low but edged with concern.

I shook my head, a playful smile on my lips. "No, I'm okay. I want to do this on my own." I leaned closer to Blake, enjoying the moment. "But thanks for offering, Blake!" I could see Liam's eyes narrow slightly.

"I just think..." Liam started but hesitated, the words hanging in the air. "I want to make sure you're safe. This isn't an easy journey."

I met his gaze, warmth flooding through me at his protectiveness. "I know you're looking out for me, Liam. It means a lot." I watched as he softened at my words, a hint of relief washing over his features.

"Let's focus on the task at hand," I said, trying to steer the conversation back. "I want to find out everything I can about Audrey and what happened to her."

"Right," Liam said, his tone brightening as he leaned closer, eager to join the conversation. 

As we stepped out of the journal office into the crisp afternoon air, the weight of the case file pressed heavily in my hands. The gravity of my father's legacy loomed over us, but a sense of determination pushed me forward. I was ready to find answers.

"Let's go to the address," I suggested, my heart racing at the thought of finally reaching out to Audrey's family.

Just then, my phone buzzed in my pocket. I pulled it out, my heart sinking as I saw an unfamiliar number flash on the screen. Without thinking, I answered.

"Hello?" I said cautiously.

There was a brief silence, then a voice crackled through the line, tense and filled with urgency. "Caci Niels? You need to stop looking into the past. Trust me. It's not safe."

My breath caught in my throat as the call disconnected, leaving an eerie silence in its wake. I turned to Liam, my heart pounding. "Did you hear that?"

"What was that?" he asked, his expression shifting to concern as he took a step closer.

I glanced back at the journal office, the memories of my father swirling around me. I could feel a storm brewing on the horizon, and as I looked into Liam's eyes, a chilling realization struck me: the deeper I dug into my father's past, the more danger we might face.

"Caci, what did they say?" he pressed, but I was already grappling with the implications of the call.

"Someone is warning me to stop,"