The Art Of Death

Chapter 6: The Web Unravels

Scene 1: Confronting Callahan

Setting: The storage facility, cluttered with old boxes and dust. Ethan and Marcus stand over the opened box, the photograph of his father, Callahan, and Cross still fresh in Ethan's mind.

Ethan's heart raced as he processed the implications of the photograph. Callahan wasn't just a mentor; he was a pivotal part of the investigation that had consumed Ethan's father. A sense of urgency washed over him.

"We need to go back to Callahan," Ethan said, stuffing the photograph into his pocket.

Marcus frowned. "You think he'll tell us the truth this time?"

"We don't have a choice," Ethan replied, determination hardening his voice. "If he's connected to Cross, he might know something about my dad's death."

They hurried out of the storage facility and jumped into Marcus's car. As the engine roared to life, Ethan felt a mixture of fear and resolve swirling within him. He couldn't let Callahan manipulate him again.

Scene 2: A Second Meeting

Setting: Callahan's office, located in a modest building downtown. The walls are lined with awards and photographs of his past achievements as a detective.

Ethan burst into Callahan's office, breathless and angry. Marcus followed closely behind, closing the door firmly.

"Ethan," Callahan began, his voice a mix of surprise and concern. "What's going on?"

Ethan slammed the photograph on Callahan's desk. "I found this at the storage unit. You and my dad were close to Cross. How deep does this go?"

Callahan's expression shifted, and for a moment, Ethan thought he saw fear flicker in his eyes. "I can explain."

"Then explain!" Ethan demanded, fists clenched at his sides. "Because it feels like you've been lying to me!"

Callahan took a deep breath, his gaze flickering to Marcus before returning to Ethan. "Your father and I were working together to take down Cross. He had a lot of connections, and he was involved in some dangerous activities."

"Dangerous enough to get him killed?" Marcus chimed in, his voice low.

Callahan hesitated, rubbing the back of his neck as he gathered his thoughts. "We believed Cross was connected to a larger crime syndicate. Your father was passionate, too passionate. He started taking risks—risks that I warned him against."

Ethan felt a surge of frustration. "And you just let him go? You didn't think to protect him?"

"I tried!" Callahan's voice rose defensively. "But once your father got a lead, he wouldn't listen. He thought he was close to cracking the case. I didn't know how far he had gotten until it was too late."

Ethan felt his heart pounding in his chest, the weight of the conversation bearing down on him. "If you cared about him, why not come forward? Why keep this from me?"

Callahan's expression softened, regret flickering in his eyes. "I wanted to protect you, Ethan. I thought it would be best if you didn't know. But I can see now that keeping this from you only makes it worse."

Ethan stepped back, processing Callahan's words. "You need to tell me everything—everything you know about Cross and my dad's investigation."

Callahan nodded slowly, his face grim. "Alright. But this goes deeper than you realize."

Scene 3: The Shocking Truth

Setting: The precinct interrogation room, where Callahan, Ethan, and Marcus sit across from one another at a metal table, the atmosphere tense.