That evening, Edmund sat once more by the riverside.
The wind whispered over the water.
A folder sat in his hand—marked Confidential. Inside were images, maps, reports.
Cases. Disappearances. Symbols.
The man in the coat had spoken only one sentence before leaving:
"The world is far stranger than you think, Mr. Hale. And we need someone like you."
He looked into the water, reflection flickering.
"The Phantom," he said to no one.
His journey had begun.