DEADLY ACTS IN ROOM 306

Chapter 7

The Truth Exposed

The newsroom remained quiet apart from the gentle hum of computer monitors and the typing of Ethan Carter's fingers against the keys. The clock on the window moved toward 2 a.m., but he did not notice. He only had one final paragraph to write.

Across from him, Natalie Reed sat sipping a steaming cup of coffee, staring at the screen.

"Are you certain you want to use that headline?" she said softly. Ethan shrugged, cracking his knuckles. "'The Blackwood Conspiracy: How Power, Greed, and Silence Killed Victor Langley.' Yeah. It's the truth." She nodded. "It's just… heavy." "It should be," Ethan said. "A man was murdered. The cop who was supposed to protect him staged it as a suicide.

And the city covered it up." He clicked save and stood. “This isn’t just an article. It’s a reckoning.” Natalie took a sip of coffee, watching him. “You’re going to make a lot of enemies.” Ethan smiled. “Wouldn’t be the first time.”

The story had everything: photographs of the secret hallway, bank statements scanned linking Leonard Fisk to spurious land deals, Victor Langley's tape recording, and Detective Graham Wells's full confession—recorded just when Internal Affairs had arrived. Every source corroborated.

Every line double-checked. He took a deep breath, hovered his mouse over the "Publish" button. "You ready?" he asked. Natalie nodded. "Let's give Victor the justice he never had in life." Ethan tapped. Once. Then: Published. It went viral within a few minutes. Notifications were coming in—shares, comments, requests for interviews.

National media started tagging his name. Reporters from other competitive newspapers called his phone. The truth had emerged, and it was spreading rapidly. Natalie looked awestruck. "It's going viral." "Not about numbers," Ethan answered, though his voice was wobbly. "About getting it so they can't even attempt to bury this all over again."

His phone jangled—a call from the District Attorney's office.

"They're reopening the case," he exclaimed, his eyes widening. "And they're looking into city officials named in the report." Natalie exhaled.

 "It's really happening.". Ethan looked out the window. The city skyline shone with the faint light of dawn. "Langley wanted the world to know what they did. Now they do." There was a silence, and then Natalie started again. "You ever wonder why he trusted you? Out of everyone, why he left that trail?" Ethan smiled wryly.

"Maybe he knew I wouldn't quit. Maybe he saw something in me that I didn't yet." Natalie braced herself on his shoulder. "Then don't stop now." "I won't," Ethan said. "This is just the start of it." With newsroom lights flickering in the dark of early morning, the secrecy that had hidden the Blackwood Grand for so many years was gone. In its stead stood the truth—and a man who'd had the guts to tell it.

The Blackwood Grand Hotel was quieter than usual, its ornate lobby bathed in golden afternoon light. The velvet furniture had been cleaned, the brass fixtures polished, and the once-haunted tension in the air had lifted. Ethan Carter stood beside the window, watching the last of the news vans drive away.

Natalie Reed approached, holding two cups of coffee. “Figured you’d be needing this.” He took one gratefully. “You figured right.” "They're calling it a landmark case now," she said, leaning over beside him on the groaning couch.

"A rotten detective in handcuffs, a billionaire tycoon under indictment, and a journalist who refused to quit."

Ethan chuckled. "Sounds nicer said by someone else's lips." Natalie sipped her coffee.

"So… is this it? You're finally off to take that vacation you'd been boasting about?" He gazed out the window, thoughtful. “The story’s told. The article’s published. Langley’s name is cleared. Justice, as much as it can be, has been served.”

 She waited, sensing more. “But?” Ethan smiled faintly. “But the world doesn’t stop turning. There’s always another lie buried beneath a smile. Another locked door in some forgotten hallway.

Someone else’s Room 306.” Natalie studied him. “You’re addicted to this, aren’t you?” "Whatever it takes," Ethan breathed. "I'm addicted to the truth," he whispered softly. "To pulling it out of the shadows," before it was gone for good.

Natalie nodded hesitantly.

"That's what makes you such an amazing person. But don't forget to live in the light, too." Ethan gazed at her, shocked at the softness in her tone. "I'll try," he said. A bellhop passed by, saying hello to Ethan. "Mr. Carter, the manager informed me Room 306 is being shut down permanently. No reservations.

They're turning it into a memorial lounge."

Ethan raised an eyebrow. "That room's finally quiet." As the bellhop vanished around the bend, Natalie relaxed back. "Strange, isn't it? That a hotel so full of secrets should at last feel. quiet." For the moment," Ethan said. "But secrets have a tendency to return." She smiled. "Still paranoid." He grinned. "Still cautious."

There was a moment between them—quietly at ease. "So what now?" she asked. "Another scandal? A vanishing act? A ghost tale?" Ethan stood, adjusting his jacket. "Perhaps all three."

He walked in the direction of the doors, then stopped and turned around. "You joining us?" Natalie smiled, drinking coffee.

 "Wouldn't miss it.". They walked out together into the golden light of the sun outside the huge turning doors. Death in Room 306 was done. But for Ethan Carter, the truth never finished speaking. There was always another secret lurking behind the shadows. And he was ready to follow it.