"Why?"
"Because I believed rules made people safe."
He looked at Malik.
"Your father showed me that sometimes rules are just excuses people use when they're afraid."
Richard told them about the night Marcus came to his door.
Marcus had explained that someone was watching the family.
He had asked Richard to keep copies of certain documents.
Richard had agreed.
Then Marcus had left.
Three days later, he was dead.
"I should have told the police everything," Richard said.
"Why didn't you?"
"Because I was afraid."
Malik stared at him.
"You let my family believe my dad died in an accident."
"I know."
Richard lowered his head.
"I'm sorry."
The room stayed quiet.
Finally Malik asked:
"Who was watching us?"
Richard looked toward the window.
"Daniel Voss."
Reed's expression darkened.
"Voss was involved?"
"Yes."
"Then why is he still free?"
"Because we never had enough evidence."
David stood.
"We do now."
He placed the flash drive on the table.
Richard stared at it.
Then he smiled faintly.
"Your father knew what he was doing."
The evidence was bigger than any of them expected.
Financial records.
Messages.
Names.
Dates.
A chain of unauthorized transfers connected to people who had access to sensitive information years earlier.
But the evidence needed verification.
David contacted federal investigators.
Richard provided his documents.
Reed gave his testimony.
Angela sat with Malik in the kitchen.
"What happens now?" Malik asked.
"We wait."
"I hate waiting."
"So did your father."
Malik smiled.
"Yeah."
Angela looked at him.
"You've changed."
"How?"
"You sound like him."
Malik looked down.
"I wish I remembered him better."
Angela reached across the table.
"You don't have to remember everything."
"Feels like I should."
"Why?"
"Because he's gone."
She squeezed his hand.
"Your father isn't only the things you remember."
Malik looked at her.
"Then what is he?"
"The choices he made."