As they arrived at the airport, Diana felt a mix of emotions: excitement, nervousness, and determination. She was one step closer to uncovering the truth about her mother's death and the conspiracy that had haunted her family for so long.
Mark, who had been quiet until now, spoke up as they reached the check-in counter. "Diana, I know I've been quiet about my past, but I need to tell you something. I have a connection to France, to Saint-Tropez. My family has a villa there, and I spent many summers there as a child."
Diana raised an eyebrow. "What are you saying, Mark?"
Mark hesitated before responding. "I think my family might be connected to Echelon, to Rouge. I don't know how or why, but I feel it in my gut."
Diana's eyes widened in surprise. "Mark, why didn't you tell me this before?"
Mark shook his head. "I didn't know how to. But I'm telling you now. I want to help you uncover the truth, Diana. Together."
With that, they boarded the plane, bound for France and the secrets that lay hidden in the sun-kissed hills of Saint-Tropez.
As soon as they arrived in France, Alex contacted his source, a trusted informant who had been keeping an eye on Victoria's movements.
"Alex, I have some bad news," the informant said, his voice low and urgent. "Victoria is no longer in France. She's moved to Belgium, to a small town near the French border."
Alex's eyes narrowed. "Belgium? That's close. I need you to find out exactly where she is and what she's doing."
The informant hesitated. "I'll try, Alex. But be careful. Echelon has eyes and ears everywhere. If they suspect we're onto them, they'll strike."
Alex nodded, his mind racing. "I'll be careful. Get me the information as soon as possible."
He hung up the phone and turned to Diana and Mark. "Victoria's no longer in France. She's in Belgium. We need to move quickly."
Diana's eyes flashed with determination. "Let's go. We can't let her get away."
Mark nodded in agreement. "I know Belgium. I can get us there quickly and quietly."
With that, they set off towards Belgium, ready to face whatever lay ahead in their quest for the truth.
As they arrived in Belgium, Alex's informant provided them with an address in the small town of Bruges. They made their way to the location, a quaint medieval-style house on a cobblestone street.
"I'll go in first," Alex said, his eyes scanning the surroundings. "If anything feels off, get out of here immediately."
Diana nodded, her heart racing with anticipation. Mark stood beside her, his eyes fixed on the house.
Alex disappeared into the house, leaving them waiting anxiously outside. Suddenly, he reappeared, his face grim.
"What is it?" Diana asked, her voice barely above a whisper.
"Victoria's not here," Alex said. "But I found something. A cryptic message on her computer. It reads: 'Meet me at the old windmill on the outskirts of town at midnight. Come alone.'"
Diana's eyes locked onto Alex's. "What do we do?"
Alex hesitated before responding. "We go to the meeting. But we don't go alone."
With that, they began to formulate a plan, knowing that they were getting close to uncovering the truth about Echelon and Victoria's role in the conspiracy.
Under the light of a full moon, they made their way to the old windmill on the outskirts of Bruges. The once-abandoned structure now loomed before them, its weathered sails creaking ominously in the gentle breeze.
As they approached, a figure emerged from the shadows. Victoria.
"You're clever, I'll give you that," she said, her voice dripping with malice. "But you'll never leave this place alive."
Diana stepped forward, her heart pounding in her chest. "We know about Echelon, Victoria. We know about your role in my mother's death."
Victoria sneered. "You know nothing. And soon, you'll know even less."
With a sudden movement, she pulled out a small device from her pocket and pressed a button. The windmill's doors slammed shut, trapping them inside.
"You see, this windmill has a special purpose," Victoria said, her eyes glinting with triumph. "It's a killing room. And you three are the next targets."
As she spoke, the windmill's machinery roared to life, its ancient stones beginning to grind and crush. Diana, Alex, and Mark knew they had to act fast – or become the latest victims of Echelon's deadly conspiracy.
Victoria's expression faltered for a moment, before she regained her composure. "Ah, yes. Larry. My father. He's...not here right now."
Diana's eyes narrowed. "Where is he? I know he was involved in my mother's death."
Victoria's smile grew cold. "My father is a brilliant man, but he's also...reckless. He's gone into hiding, until the heat dies down."
Mark's eyes locked onto Victoria. "Where is he hiding?"
Victoria shrugged. "I don't know. He's gone dark. But I'm sure he'll surface again, when the time is right."
Alex's grip on his phone tightened. "We need to get out of here. Now."
But it was too late. The windmill's doors creaked open, revealing a squad of heavily armed Echelon agents. Victoria smiled again, triumphant. "I think it's time for you three to join my father...in his hiding place."
As the agents closed in, Diana realized that Victoria was more involved in Echelon's plans than she had initially thought. And Larry, Victoria's father, was still out there, pulling the strings from the shadows.
As they interrogated Victoria, Diana couldn't shake off the words she had spoken before the fight: "My father is a brilliant man, but he's also...reckless. He's gone into hiding, until the heat dies down."
Diana's mind raced with questions. What did Victoria mean by "reckless"? What had Larry done to warrant going into hiding? And what did he have to do with her mother's death?
She thought back to her own investigation, the clues she had uncovered, and the mysterious messages she had received. It all seemed to point to Larry, but she still couldn't piece together the full picture.
Diana's eyes narrowed as she looked at Victoria, who was now cuffed and seated in a chair. "Tell me more about your father," she said, her voice firm but controlled. "What did he do? And what
does it have to do with my mother's death?"