I froze, stunned. Julia, who had been part of this system for years, was offering to be an informant. To risk her career, her safety, possibly her life.
Why? I asked, unable to hide my skepticism. Why do you want to help? Why now? Because you’re my sister, she said simply. And because.
Maybe this is my only chance to do something right. After all these years of doing what I had to instead of what I believed was right, I looked at her, searching for hidden motives, traps, another betrayal. But all I saw was a tired woman who maybe for the first time in a long while was being honest.
I’ll think about it, I finally said. But not now. I need time to process all this.
Of course, Julia nodded. I understand. Just know the offer stands.
Whenever you’re ready. If you’re ready. Just let me know.
She pulled the card out of her purse and set it on the table. This is my new number. A secure line.
You can call anytime. I picked up the card, turning it over in my hands, not knowing what to say. Part of me wanted to believe her to believe that despite all the lies and betrayals, some piece of her still cared about me as a sister.
Another part feared it was just another trap, another manipulation. Thank you, I finally said, slipping the card into my pocket. I’ll contact you when I’m ready.
Julia nodded, understanding that was all she could hope for right now. She stood up, ready to leave. Be careful, Victoria, she said, standing in the doorway.
They won’t stop at anything. I know, I smiled with a confidence I hadn’t felt before. And I’m ready.
After Julia left, I sat in silence for a long time, thinking about our conversation. Could I trust her? After everything she’d done? After all the years of lies and betrayal? But there was another question that bothered me even more. Could I afford to refuse her help? The information she offered could make our investigation even stronger, even more damaging to the system we were trying to expose.
I didn’t have the answers. Not yet. But I knew one thing, I had to keep going.
Keep revealing the truth, no matter how bitter it was. With that thought, I started preparing for my next meeting with Mitchell. We still had a lot of work ahead.
The following weeks were intense. Mitchell’s new publication sparked growing waves of reaction. Social media exploded with debates, political analysts weighed in, and even state-run TV channels, usually ignoring such topics, were forced to respond.
Of course, in their usual way, dismissing the investigation as foreign propaganda. I watched it all unfold from my Park Avenue apartment, continuing to analyze documents, prepare materials for future releases, and coordinate with Mitchell. All the while, Julia’s offer hovered in my mind.
The thought of the information she could provide, the evidence that could make our case undeniable. But I didn’t call her. I wasn’t ready.
I wasn’t sure I could trust her. Yet I knew I would have to make that decision soon, and it could determine not only the success of our investigation, but my own safety. I had just finished working on new documents for Mitchell when my phone rang.
An unknown number. I didn’t answer, but a minute later, a text arrived. Turn on the TV.
Any news channel. Urgent. Jay.
My heart sped up. I turned on the TV and flipped to a news channel. And froze.
On the screen was Richard. My husband. Ex-husband.
He stood before reporters, surrounded by police officers. Cameras flashed as journalists shouted questions. A banner ran along the bottom of the screen.
Head of Financial Department of Major Energy Corporation Arrested. Suspected of embezzling funds from the U.S. I couldn’t believe what I was seeing. Richard arrested? But how? Why? Our investigation wasn’t even at the stage of naming names yet.
We hadn’t released direct evidence against him. The phone rang again. Same number.
This time I answered. Julia? I asked. I still locked on the screen as Richard was led into a police car.
You see it? Julia’s voice was tight. They arrested him. And a few others from our team.
How did this happen? I still can’t believe it. This isn’t because of our publications we haven’t even named names yet. Of course it’s not, Julia said bitterly.
This is internal politics. Someone at the top decided Richard and his people were getting too greedy. They needed to be put in their place.
But that’s good, isn’t it? I struggled to process what was happening. They’re arrested, they’ll be charged, there will be a trial. You don’t understand how it works.
Victoria, Julia cut me off. This isn’t justice. It’s just a show.
They’ll spend some time under house arrest, pay some fines, maybe return part of the money. Then it will all start again, just with different people filling the same roles. Then why are you calling me? Why is this so important? Because Julia paused, as if gathering strength.
Because now it’s your turn, Victoria. Now they’ll start looking for the source of the leaks. And when they find you, and they will, believe me, your fate will be far worse than Richard’s.
A chill ran down my spine. Not from fear, but from realizing the game had just entered a new level. The stakes were higher now, and I had to be ready for the consequences.
What do you suggest? I asked, already knowing her answer. The same thing I said before. Leave.
Now, while you still can. Start a new life somewhere they can’t find you. I stayed silent, thinking about her words.
Leave. Abandon everything I’d started. Walk away from the mission that had become so much more than just an investigation, it was my purpose.
My way to restore justice, to stand up against betrayal, to prove I was not the weak, dependent woman everyone thought I was. I can’t, Julia, I finally said. Not now, when we’re so close.
Not now, when there’s a chance the truth will finally come out. God, Victoria, you’ve always been stubborn, but this time it could cost you your life. Julia’s voice broke.
These people don’t joke around. They’ve killed for less. I know the risks, I said calmly, surprised by my own steadiness.
And I’m ready to take them. For grandpa, who believed in me. For myself, after spending so long letting others decide my life.
Julia was silent for so long I thought the call had dropped. But then I heard her quiet sigh. Then I need to see you, she finally said.
Immediately. I have information that can help you. Information that can make your investigation undeniable.
I hesitated. Could I trust Julia? After everything that had happened? What if it was a trap? What if she was working for the very people she warned me about? But what if she was truly trying to help? What if this was my only chance to finish what I had started before they found me? Okay, I finally said. Where and when? Central Park.
By the pond near your apartment. In an hour. Come alone.
Okay, I nodded, though she couldn’t see it. I’ll be there. I hung up, feeling a strange mix of fear and determination rise inside me.
I didn’t know what would happen in the park. Whether I would find help from my sister or walk straight into a trap set by those who wanted to silence me. But I knew I had to go.
I had to find out what Julia wanted to tell me. I had to use every chance to finish what I started. I opened the safe and took out the gun Grandpa had left me.
Checked it was loaded, then tucked it into my coat pocket. I gathered the most important documents, the ones I hadn’t yet given to Mitchell, and put them in my bag. After thinking for a moment, I wrote a short note and sealed it in an envelope.
Just in case something happened to me. Just in case the meeting with Julia was a trap. I left my apartment, nodding to the concierge who smiled politely at me and walked toward the park.
It was a cold autumn evening, a light drizzle falling from the dark sky. I pulled up my coat collar against the wind and quickened my pace. The park was nearly empty.
A few passersby hurried along, not paying attention to the lone woman walking with purpose. I reached the meeting spot a bench by the small pond where we’d agreed to meet. Julia wasn’t there yet.
I sat down, trying to look calm, though my senses were on high alert. I noticed every movement, every sound, every shadow. 10 minutes passed.
15. Still no Julia. I started to get nervous.
What if she wasn’t coming? What if this was just a trick to lure me out of my safe apartment? What if someone was watching me right now, waiting to make their move? I was about to leave when I saw a familiar figure walking quickly down the path. Julia. She looked tense, constantly glancing over her shoulder as if afraid of being followed.
Sorry I’m late, she said as she approached. I had to make sure no one was trailing me. And? Were you sure? I couldn’t hide the sarcasm in my voice.
As sure as I can be, she said, sitting down beside me and placing a small folder between us. This has everything you need. Names, dates, amounts, bank accounts…
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