The Chip Hidden in My Dead Wife's Hand|

Chapter 1 - The Last Thing She Held

Daniel Carter had survived two wars, three ambushes, and a year in a military hospital.

But nothing had prepared him to stand beside his wife's coffin.

Emily had always slept with open hands. Even when she was afraid, even when she was angry, even when the illness took her strength, her fingers never curled into fists.

But now her right hand was closed tightly, as if she had taken something with her.

Daniel leaned closer.

His mother-in-law, Margaret, gasped behind him.

"Daniel, please leave her in peace. She was scared of everyone."

That sentence stopped him.

He turned slightly.

"Scared of everyone?"

Margaret's face went pale.

Before Daniel could question her, another voice came from the corner.

"What did she hand you, Daniel?"

Lucas Vale stood near the window with a glass of whiskey in his hand. Emily's cousin. Her mother's favorite.

He turned back to Emily and gently opened her fingers.

It took effort.

Her hand was cold and stiff.

Then something small fell into his palm.

A black microchip.

Daniel slipped the chip into the inner pocket of his uniform.

Lucas's smile faded.

Margaret reached toward him.

"Daniel, give that to me. Emily was confused near the end."

Daniel slowly lifted his head.

"Tell me the truth."

The room went silent.

Daniel looked from Margaret to Lucas.

"How did my wife really die?"

Neither of them answered.

And that was when Daniel knew.

Emily had not died from the fall everyone claimed she had taken.

She had died trying to leave him proof.