Chapter 4 - MICHAEL'S TAPE
Daniel drove Walter to Indiana despite Michael's warning.
Walter complained about Daniel's speed.
Daniel complained about Walter touching the dashboard every time they passed a truck.
They were not friends.
That helped.
Michael opened his door, saw Walter, and punched him.
Walter fell against the porch rail.
Daniel grabbed his father.
Walter wiped blood from his lip and said, "Fair enough."
"No, it isn't," Daniel snapped.
Walter looked at him.
"I didn't say it was."
Michael brought out a cassette recorded in 1983.
Thomas's voice filled the room.
"If Walter Hayes comes looking, don't believe him. He left men behind. He'll say he had no choice."
Walter recognized Thomas immediately.
He sat down.
Michael watched him with satisfaction that quickly turned uncomfortable.
Walter looked hurt, not exposed.
The tape continued.
A door closed in the background.
Someone spoke.
Thomas answered, "Yes, Captain Voss."
Walter stood.
"Play that again."
Michael did.
Walter listened three times.
Thomas had stopped calling Voss "Captain" before the final attack.
Walter would not explain why.
Not yet.
Michael accused him of creating another mystery to protect himself.
Walter lost his temper.
"I watched your father choke on his own blood."
The room froze.
Walter regretted it instantly.
Michael's face collapsed.
Daniel shoved Walter backward.
"Get out."
Walter did.
He sat alone in Daniel's truck for twenty minutes.
Then Michael came outside holding an old photograph.
The man who returned as Thomas stood beside June Bennett at Christmas.
Walter studied the face.
Similar to Thomas.
Not identical.
A scar ran along the jaw.
On the back, June had written something and later scratched it out.
Under angled light, Daniel could still read it.
ROBERT.
Nobody said Voss's name.
They did not need to.
(To be continued)
Thank you for reading up to this point.
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