Chapter 18 - THE THING WALTER FORGOT
The message triggered something.
Not a full memory.
A smell.
Diesel.
Wet canvas.
Thomas saying:
"Not on paper."
Walter sat on the veterans hall floor.
Daniel waited.
No questions.
Walter remembered the evacuation truck.
A metal identification plate beneath the driver's seat.
Thomas had removed it.
Behind it was a narrow cavity.
They had hidden microfilm there.
Not a list.
Photographs of the list.
Walter had driven the truck after Thomas was shot.
The vehicle was later shipped back to the United States for training use.
Walter suddenly knew where it ended up.
A military museum in Illinois.
The truck had been displayed for thirty years.
They obtained a warrant and opened the cavity.
Empty.
Walter laughed bitterly.
"Of course."
But scratch marks showed someone had opened it recently.
Museum records identified one researcher who had requested access.
Michael Bennett.
Michael already had the microfilm.
He had disappeared to protect it.
Then he called Daniel.
"I'm okay."
Daniel nearly cried from anger.
"Where are you?"
"I need Walter."
Walter took the phone.
Michael said:
"I found Thomas's list."
"Good."
"No."
Walter heard fear.
"Your name is on it."
Walter frowned.
"I helped compile it."
"Not that list."
Michael swallowed.
"This is a payment ledger."
Walter's chest tightened.
"How much?"
"Fifty thousand dollars."
"For who?"
"For you."
Walter said nothing.
The payment was dated three weeks after Night Glass.
Walter had no memory of receiving it.
Michael asked:
"Were you paid to keep quiet?"
Walter wanted to say no.
Instead he said:
"I don't know."
May you like
That answer cost him more than denial.
