Chapter 23 - The Last HuntHelena Voss was living under another name in a quiet coastal town.
No guards.
No fortress.
No obvious wealth.
Just a beautiful house overlooking the water.
That made Marin more suspicious than any armored compound could have.
They arrived before dawn.
Elias stayed outside with his security team.
Marin entered alone.
Helena was waiting in the kitchen.
She looked exactly as Marin remembered.
Older now.
White hair.
Elegant clothes.
A cup of tea in her hand.
“You finally came home.”
Marin's expression hardened.
“This was never my home.”
Helena smiled.
“You were always emotional.”
“And you were always cruel.”
“Cruelty kept you alive.”
“No.”
Marin placed the Archive Zero key on the table.
“The truth kept me alive.”
Helena's smile disappeared.
Marin placed a small recorder beside it.
“We have every file.”
Helena stared.
“You don't.”
“Gabriel survived.”
The color drained from her face.
“And Evelyn.”
Helena stood.
“You don't understand what you've uncovered.”
“I understand enough.”
“You think exposing this will save people?”
“It will give them a choice.”
Helena shook her head.
“They'll destroy you.”
Marin smiled.
“My husband has survived worse.”
“You think Elias Ferrante can protect you forever?”
“No.”
Marin looked directly into her eyes.
“I can protect myself.”
The front door opened.
Elias entered.
Helena stared at him.
“So this is the famous Ferrante.”
Elias remained silent.
Marin walked toward him.
Helena suddenly reached beneath the table.
Elias moved instantly.
But Marin was faster.
She caught Helena's wrist.
The gun dropped.
Helena stared at her.
“You were always my best student.”
Marin shook her head.
“No.”
She stepped back.
“I was your last mistake.”
Outside, federal investigators arrived.
Gabriel had already transmitted the evidence.
Helena looked through the window.
Police surrounded the property.
For the first time in decades, she looked frightened.
Marin didn't feel satisfaction.
Only relief.
The hunt was finally over.
But as Helena was taken away, she called out:
“Marin!”
Marin turned.
Helena smiled faintly.
“You'll never escape what you are.”
Marin looked at Elias.
May you like
Then at the ocean.
“I already did.”
