Frederick stared at the single word for a long time, trying to comprehend what it meant. The message was signed "Father," but Frederick's father, Charles Ashford, had been dead for nearly fifteen years. Frederick had attended his funeral. He had seen his body. He had mourned his death.
But the evidence suggested otherwise. The evidence suggested that Charles Ashford was still alive.
Frederick immediately contacted Morrison and told him about the message. Morrison's reaction was skeptical at first, but as they began to examine the classified files that had been provided in the encrypted message, Morrison began to understand the possibility of what had happened.
"Your father's death was faked," Morrison said slowly, as the realization dawned on him. "Charles Ashford did not actually die i
