The study fell into a comfortable silence as Ivy and Xander sorted through the countless files recovered from the underground storage room.
Dust covered most of the folders, but their contents had remained remarkably well preserved.
One after another, they opened the case files Frederick Wilson had handled during his years as a police officer.
Human trafficking.
Illegal arms smuggling.
Drug syndicates.
Money laundering.
Organized crime.
Frederick had investigated some of the country's most dangerous criminal organizations, leaving behind meticulous notes and evidence.
Xander slowly closed another file and leaned back in his chair.
"No wonder my father admired him so much."
Ivy looked up.
"He often talked about Uncle Frederick. They worked together several times to dismantle underworld networks."
A faint smile appeared on Xander's face.
"I even wanted to become like him."
"You did?" Ivy asked, surprised.
Xander chuckled softly.
"I was only ten."
