There had been a memorial.
A funeral.
His photograph still hung inside the hospital.
And the man who gave the emotional eulogy was Hospital President Victor Lang.
Now Elias was standing alive in Victor’s own charity gala.
Security rushed toward him.
Before they grabbed him, Elias caught Maya’s wrist.
“The proof is still there,” he whispered.
“Proof of what?”
Elias looked directly at Victor.
“Why they needed me dead.”
Then security dragged him toward a service corridor.
“WHERE?” Maya shouted.
Elias turned his head one last time.
“Old surgical wing. The decommissioned oxygen manifold.”
Victor immediately walked toward Maya.
“You’re going home. Tonight.”
“And if I don’t?”
Victor leaned close enough that nobody else could hear him.
“Tomorrow you won’t have a job. And Bishop will be declared dangerous.”
That threat made Maya certain Elias was telling the truth.
Hours later, she secretly entered the abandoned surgical wing with Bishop.
Behind an old oxygen panel, she discovered a sealed compartment.
Inside were photographs, invoices, serial numbers and signed safety reports.
Maya’s hands began shaking.
The documents showed that counterfeit cardiac devices had allegedly been hidden inside hospital procurement records.
Elias had discovered the pattern years earlier.
He had refused to approve the paperwork.
Less than 48 hours later, he was reported dead.
Then Maya’s phone rang.
Victor Lang.
She answered without speaking.
“You found it, didn’t you?” Victor said.
Maya froze.
“How do you know where I am?”
Silence.
Then Victor whispered:
“Because Elias wasn’t the only person we’ve been watching.”
Suddenly, every light in the abandoned corridor went out.
Bishop began growling at the darkness.
And behind Maya…
a locked door slowly opened.
