Shadows of the Past

Chapter 5: Secrets in the Shadows

After their conversation, Emily felt a newfound urgency to uncover the truth behind Sarah's disappearance and the secrets that Sinclair's company had hidden away. Jenna's words echoed in her mind as she left the café: If Graves got wind of it, he wouldn't hesitate to take action. It was a stark reminder that they were not just dealing with corporate politics but potentially dangerous individuals who would go to great lengths to protect their interests.

As she walked back to her apartment, Emily's mind raced with possibilities. She needed to find out how to access Sarah's secure drive. If Jenna was right, the evidence could be the key to unraveling the web of lies surrounding both Sarah's case and Steven's murder.

---

Later that evening, Emily met with Jack to share what she had learned from Jenna. They sat in a cozy corner of a small bar, the atmosphere warm and inviting, a stark contrast to the tension in their minds.

"Jenna confirmed what we suspected about Sinclair's company," Emily said, her voice low. "Sarah was working on financial discrepancies and was scared of being silenced. She had files stored on a secure drive, but we need to figure out how to access them."

Jack leaned back in his chair, deep in thought. "That's a good lead. But we need to tread carefully. If Graves is as ruthless as Jenna described, we're walking a fine line."

"I know," Emily replied, her determination unwavering. "But we can't let fear stop us. If there's evidence out there, we have to find it."

Jack nodded, admiration flickering in his eyes. "I agree. We should start by looking into the drive. Do you think Sarah had someone who could help us access it?"

"Maybe," Emily mused. "I'll reach out to Jenna again. If she knew Sarah well, she might have an idea of where the files could be hidden."

"Good idea," Jack replied, his gaze serious. "But we should also think about what to do if Graves catches wind of our investigation. We need to have a plan."

"Let's focus on getting the evidence first," Emily said. "Then we can decide how to confront Graves."

---

The next morning, Emily sent a message to Jenna, asking for any additional details about Sarah's secure drive and how it might be accessed. After a short wait, Jenna replied, suggesting they meet again to discuss it in more depth.

When Emily arrived at the café, Jenna looked even more anxious than before. "I've been thinking about our conversation," Jenna said, glancing around to ensure they were alone. "I didn't tell you everything. There were whispers in the office, things I didn't want to believe."

"What do you mean?" Emily asked, her stomach tightening.

"Some of the employees believed that Sarah wasn't just afraid of losing her job," Jenna continued, her voice barely above a whisper. "There were rumors that Graves was involved in some pretty dark stuff-like, illegal activities. If she found evidence of that, it would've put her life in danger."

Emily's heart raced. "Did she say anything specific?"

"Not to me, but she was looking into some deals that didn't add up. I overheard her mention a file that could blow the lid off everything. She seemed really scared when she talked about it."