The Silent Witness

Chapter 5: The Truth Comes Out

Layla and Amina reached Zainab's small house on the edge of Riverside late that night, tired, wet, and scared. Amina had called ahead, and Zainab opened the door before they even knocked.

"You're the witness," Zainab said, looking at Layla. "My brother told me someone might come."

Inside, Zainab pulled out a small metal box hidden behind a bookshelf. Inside were papers, bank statements, and a flash drive.

"This is everything Adam found," Zainab said. "Proof that Faisal Khan stole millions of dollars from the company using fake vendor accounts. My brother was going to report it. That's why they killed him."

At that moment, headlights swept across the window. A car had stopped outside.

"They followed us," Amina whispered.

Zainab moved fast, grabbing her phone. "I already called Detective Ahmed. She's on her way. We just need to survive until she gets here."

The front door shook as someone tried to force it open. Layla's heart pounded, but for the first time all day, she felt something besides fear — she felt ready to fight for the truth.

Minutes later, sirens filled the street. Police cars surrounded the house. Faisal Khan, caught with his men outside Zainab's home, tried to run but was stopped within seconds.

Detective Ahmed walked up to him, holding up the silver ring evidence bag David had just recovered from his hand.

"Faisal Khan," she said, "you're under arrest for the murder of Adam Malik."

For the first time, the calm, confident man had nothing to say.

But as officers put him in the car, Faisal looked at Sarah and smiled — a strange, cold smile.

"You think this ends with me?" he said quietly. "I was never the one giving orders."

Sarah's stomach turned. "What do you mean?"

Faisal said nothing more. He simply looked up, past her, toward the dark windows of the tall office building across the street — the headquarters of the company Adam had worked for.

Sarah turned to David. "This isn't over."

To be continued...

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