The Hidden Hand - MiguelLagana - Wattpad

Story cover for The Hidden Hand by MiguelLagana

The Hidden Hand

Reads 25
Votes 3
Parts 8
Time 4h 42m

Reads 25
Votes 3
Parts 8
Time 4h 42m

corruption crime detective humantrafficking investigation justice lawenforcement morality mystery psychological secrets suspense thriller twists vigilantes

When disgraced billionaire Steve Benson is found dead after a chilling series of cryptic challenges, Detective Isaac Hayes is thrust into a case that will test every principle he holds dear. The vigilantes behind the act-an enigmatic trio-claim they're cleaning up a system broken beyond repair. But as Hayes digs deeper, he uncovers a sinister web of deceit, betrayal, and power that stretches far beyond Benson's crimes.

Each clue pulls Hayes closer to the truth but farther from safety, as he realizes the Players' twisted sense of justice isn't the only danger lurking in the shadows. The powerful figures Benson served have no intention of letting their secrets come to light-and they'll stop at nothing to silence those who threaten their empire.

Caught between a relentless moral code and a creeping sense of sympathy for the vigilantes' cause, Hayes must navigate a world where everyone has something to hide. As the clock ticks and bodies pile up, Hayes is forced to confront the unthinkable: sometimes, to stop the darkness, you have to step into it.All Rights Reserved

corruption crime detective humantrafficking investigation justice lawenforcement morality mystery psychological secrets suspense thriller twists vigilantes

Table of contents

8 parts

Sign up to add The Hidden Hand to your library and receive updates

or

Content Guidelines

You may also like

Under the V.E.I.L:Book 1 by alia_writes14

In a world where secrets are deadly and trust is a luxury,Lena Mendoza is on a mission to uncover the truth behind her parents' mysterious deaths. Desperate for answers, she lands a job at V.E.I.L, a covert organization with more ties to her past than she could ever imagine. As she dives deeper into her investigation,Lena crosses paths with Liam, the older brother of her best friend, and discovers they share a dark connection-Operation Blackthorn, the mission that claimed both their parents' lives. With danger lurking at every turn, Lena must rely on her skills and newfound allies, including her close friend William, to navigate the treacherous waters of espionage and betrayal. But as tension builds and secrets unravel,Lena and Liam find themselves drawn to each other, their simmering attraction threatening to complicate their mission. In this high-stakes game of deception, can they uncover the truth without losing themselves-or each other-along the way?

Shadows in the Fog by _lonley_dreamer_

A notorious jewel thief is found dead in an abandoned warehouse, clutching a single, blood-stained diamond. Detective Riley Quinn is tasked with solving the case, but the deeper she digs, the more secrets she uncovers-about the victim, the city's underworld, and her own past. When the evidence points to a powerful crime syndicate, Riley must decide whether to expose the truth or risk becoming their next target. Perfect for readers who enjoy suspense, dark secrets, and a race against time.

Left Field (New Hope #4) by authorjenniferluna

Blake needs a date to his enemy's destination wedding. And not just anyone-a professional. The billionaire genius behind 215 Tech doesn't have time to nurture a real relationship. He hires Lucy to be his fake girlfriend, but things become real when he discovers she's hiding something from him. After a recent sabbatical, Lucy Nyx has returned to the world of escorting. With a sister to care for, she has no choice but to take the offer Blake puts on the table. When the duo get to the Malibu wedding, her past rises from the ashes with a vengeance. She just needs to get through the event, but Blake is asking questions she doesn't want to answer. What's more, she's developing feelings for her client. Blake and Lucy navigate a fake relationship, while unknowingly developing a strong connection. But when Lucy discovers Blake's true nature, all bets are off. The twists in their tale truly come from left field. *Left Field is a mature fake dating romance. This is a standalone novel, but features characters from previous installments. It has major triggers, so please message me if you're concerned about content.*

MONSTERS WEAR MASKS by Whizzkid0802

Detective Elias Voss spent years chasing shadows, hunting down the enigmatic criminal known as The Watcher-a mastermind who used riddles and twisted games to expose the darkest truths of society. But when Voss finally catches the villain, the true game begins. The Watcher doesn't fight. They don't run. They simply smile and whisper: "You were never supposed to find me." From that moment, Voss's world begins to unravel. As he delves deeper into the case, the lines between justice and corruption blur. He bends rules, breaks laws, and makes choices he swore he never would-all in the name of stopping the evil he once despised. But every step forward only leads him closer to a chilling realization: He isn't hunting the Watcher anymore. He is becoming them. Now, the city is searching for a new villain. What they don't realize is that their hero has already transformed into the monster he was chasing. And as the final riddle is left behind-etched in walls, whispered in the streets, painted in mirrored eyes-one question remains: "Was he always meant to fall... or did the world push him to it?" In this gripping psychological thriller, Monsters Wear Masks explores the terrifying truth that sometimes, the only difference between a detective and a villain... is perspective.

The Last Shot by CopieTheClown

Carmen Santigo's world is shaken when she's given one last chance to redeem herself after a botched case nearly cost her career. Tasked with solving the brutal, four-year-old murder of the Olsen family, Carmen plunges into a web of corruption, crime, and betrayal. What begins as a simple cold case unravels into a sinister conspiracy involving a powerful criminal syndicate, high-profile businessmen, and dirty city officials. As she delves deeper, Carmen is forced to confront her doubts, the dangers of her profession, and the risks she's willing to take to find justice. But as the case progresses, it becomes clear that someone will stop at nothing to keep the truth hidden. With her badge on the line and her safety at risk, Carmen must rely on her instincts, her allies, and her relentless determination to uncover the truth and bring the killers to justice.

Silent Sins| ONC 2025 by OutOfMyImagination

Some secrets are meant to stay buried... When a series of brutal murders begins, each victim is forced to confess their darkest secrets, Special Agent Nico Hart is called in to track down a killer who seems to know more than they should. As Nico digs deeper into the case, the chilling realization sets in-the killer isn't just targeting random people. They're targeting survivors and their sins. With each confession, Nico is drawn closer to his own buried truth, one he's desperately tried to forget. But the killer's game is more personal than he could ever imagine. This story is written for The Open Novella Contest 2025 Prompts: 66. It's not a mystery-it's the walls. They hold secrets, but what are they hiding? 80. The corpse in the hospital actually alive. 125. "Fear is the mind-killer."-Quote by Frank Herbert -"Dune".

Our Little Secrets: OBSESSION SERIES BOOK 2 by draftlynotes

The past was never meant to be uncovered. But what if it was only the beginning? After barely escaping Gabrielle's grasp, Erica thought she had finally found freedom. Jade believed he had unraveled the truth. But when a cryptic message from an unknown source pulls them back into the shadows, they realize their fight is far from over. New enemies emerge from the depths of their past, each more ruthless than the last. The deeper they dig, the more they uncover secrets that were never meant to see the light. Trust becomes a dangerous gamble, and betrayal lurks in places they least expect. As the lines between right and wrong blur, Erica and Jade must decide-how far are they willing to go for the truth? And at what cost? Because in a world where secrets hold power, the deadliest ones are the ones whispered in the dark.

A Just Cause. by charles1228

Charlie is just a cop. Growing up in the city of New York, he came up to become an NYPD officer due to his past. He has skills and talents to sell. Charlie Armstrong was one-hundred percent sure he was born to be what he is today. Since his mother's murder when he was only twelve, he knew he was destined for a life of crime. The question was, which side of crime was he truly designed for? This novel follows the story of Charlie Armstrong, a newly graduated NYPD rookie, who has been appointed to go undercover at Brownsville Academy High. A homicide goes unsolved and the neighborhood of Brownsville is high on edge while Charlie secretly tries to infiltrate the usual suspects in this depraved and crime ridden community. As Charlie comes closer and closer to the truth, his Sergeant begins to question Charlie's true character and motives while his own father holds his breath about the truth of his son finally coming undone.

Hushed Crimes: Blood Ties by RaphaelaCalisti

Six months ago, Detective Jonah Reese cracked the case that changed everything. He thought he could move on-until a long-buried body drags him back into the past. The victim? A woman who had an affair with his father. The twist? She had a son. Jonah's half-brother." "Caleb Caldwell never expected justice. He grew up knowing the system didn't care. But when his mother's remains are found after twenty years, he wants answers-and the last person he trusts to find them is a cop, especially one tied to the man who ruined his life." "As Jonah and Caleb are forced to work together, they uncover a decades-old conspiracy leading back to the town's most powerful figures. Someone has spent years keeping this crime buried, and they're willing to kill again to keep it that way. The closer they get, the more Jonah realizes the real monster might have been in his own home all along." "In a town built on secrets, some truths are meant to stay dead."

AORA : His Little Liar by Sophie_Kvng

She's not your average girl. Tossed into the world of guns and death at a young age, She's already used to it all. Trained to become a cold-hearted killer. When she's given a target to eliminate, it turns out her heart isn't so cold after all. Instead her brain is a crack because you don't go hooking up with your Target. "I will ruin you." "You can't ruin something that's already ruined." Stuck between the devil and the red Sea. This Devil though, Is willing to have her for himself. Except it all comes with a price. ::::::: "You dare try to double cross me?!" "Awww. Did it hurt to get betrayed? Get used to it Dumbass!" I was shoved hard against the wall again. I cursed. Shit. Updates every Fridays and Saturdays! #1 in Dark Past 1/9/2023 #1 in Undercover 14/9/2023 #3 in Spy 1/05/2024 #1 in Spy 18/06/2024 #1 in Sassy 06/10/2024 #1 in gunfights 22/10/2025 #1 in agent 27/12/2025 ::::: Thank you for checking out my book. it's going to need all your love and support. lots of love, Sophie_Kvng❤️

You may also like

Slide 1 of 10

Under the V.E.I.L:Book 1 cover

Shadows in the Fog cover

Left Field (New Hope #4) cover

MONSTERS WEAR MASKS cover

The Last Shot cover

Silent Sins| ONC 2025 cover

Our Little Secrets: OBSESSION SERIES BOOK 2 cover

A Just Cause. cover

Hushed Crimes: Blood Ties cover

AORA : His Little Liar cover

Under the V.E.I.L:Book 1

In a world where secrets are deadly and trust is a luxury,Lena Mendoza is on a mission to uncover the truth behind her parents' mysterious deaths. Desperate for answers, she lands a job at V.E.I.L, a covert organization with more ties to her past than she could ever imagine. As she dives deeper into her investigation,Lena crosses paths with Liam, the older brother of her best friend, and discovers they share a dark connection-Operation Blackthorn, the mission that claimed both their parents' lives. With danger lurking at every turn, Lena must rely on her skills and newfound allies, including her close friend William, to navigate the treacherous waters of espionage and betrayal. But as tension builds and secrets unravel,Lena and Liam find themselves drawn to each other, their simmering attraction threatening to complicate their mission. In this high-stakes game of deception, can they uncover the truth without losing themselves-or each other-along the way?