Chapter 17: Building the Trust
May 1st. Twenty days until Lincoln's execution.
The letter arrived during morning mail call. Standard prison envelope, official stamps, Veronica Donovan's return address.
I opened it in my cell while Raul was at breakfast.
Dear Mr. Miller,
Thank you for your concern regarding my safety. I wanted to follow up on our brief conversation and discuss Lincoln's case further. I've been reviewing the evidence and have questions about witness statements. As someone who knows Lincoln, perhaps you could provide insight.
I've been reading a fascinating book lately—"The Count of Monte Cristo." Are you familiar with it? The protagonist's escape plan involves specific pages: 12, 19, and 33. The themes of justice and revenge resonate deeply.
Best regards, Veronica Donovan
I read it twice. On the surface: innocent correspondence about books and Lincoln's case.
Underneath: a code.
pages 12, 19, 33. Phone records. She was asking about phone records.
Smart woman.
I pulled out paper and started writing.
VERONICA'S POV
Veronica received Daniel's response three days later. May 3rd.
She opened it in her apartment, wine glass in hand, exhaustion pulling at her bones.
Dear Veronica,
I'm glad you enjoyed "Monte Cristo." The revenge plot is compelling, but I've always been more interested in page 47—the subplot about betrayal from within. Sometimes the greatest threats come from those closest to us.
Regarding Lincoln's case: trust your instincts. If something feels wrong, it probably is. I've found that patterns emerge when you look carefully enough.
Stay safe. The world needs good lawyers.
Danny
Page 47. Betrayal from within.
Veronica sat up straight, wine forgotten.
Someone close to me is compromised.
She thought about her law firm. Her partner Sebastian had been acting strangely—taking calls in private, avoiding certain case discussions, nervously checking his phone.
Check phone records, Daniel had suggested through the book code.
The next morning, Veronica accessed the firm's phone logs. Standard procedure for billing, nothing unusual.
Sebastian's personal cell showed calls to a restricted number. Multiple times per week. Always brief. Always late at night.
He's reporting to someone.
Veronica's hands shook as she compiled the evidence. Her law partner—her friend—was feeding information to whoever was framing Lincoln.
She picked up her phone and dialed the prison.
DANIEL'S POV
The call came through at 1400 hours. May 3rd.
"Daniel Miller, you have a legal call from Veronica Donovan."
I took the phone in the common area, keeping my voice low. "Veronica."
"You were right." Her voice was strained. "Sebastian's been making calls to a restricted number. He's compromised."
"I'm sorry."
"How did you know?"
"Patterns. The way Lincoln described your investigation, the obstacles you kept hitting—someone was feeding information to the other side. Law partner was most likely candidate." I paused. "Are you safe?"
"I think so. I haven't confronted him yet."
"Don't. Act normal. If he knows you know, he'll warn whoever's pulling the strings."
"Then what do I do?"
"Keep investigating. Use his betrayal. Feed him false information, see where it goes. And Veronica?" I lowered my voice further. "You sound tired."
A soft laugh. "It's been a long week."
"Complicated worth it, or complicated dangerous?"
"Both." A pause. "How do you do this, Danny? See things others miss?"
"Practice. Necessity. Survival instinct." I watched a guard walk past, waited until he was out of earshot. "The people watching you aren't playing games. They've already killed to protect this conspiracy. They'll kill again."
"I know." Her voice was smaller now. Scared but determined. "But I can't stop. Lincoln's innocent. Michael's risking everything to save him. I have to find the truth."
"Then be smart about it. Don't be a hero. Be a survivor."
"Is that what you are? A survivor?"
I thought about the original Daniel Miller. Dead because he trusted the wrong person. Dead because Neil Caffrey betrayed him. Dead so I could live in his body.
"I'm trying to be," I said quietly.
We talked for another ten minutes. Professional discussion about Lincoln's case, witness statements, legal strategy. But underneath, something else was building. Connection. Trust. Something that felt dangerous and necessary in equal measure.
When the call ended, I stood in the common area staring at the phone.
Don't get attached. She's a means to an end. A useful ally for the escape.
But my hands were shaking slightly, and it wasn't from power overuse.
VERONICA'S POV
May 5th. Veronica sat in a coffee shop near the courthouse, waiting.
The man who approached was exactly as Daniel had described in his latest letter: mid-forties, government bearing, friendly smile that didn't reach his eyes.
"Ms. Donovan? Paul Kellerman. Secret Service."
Veronica's blood went cold, but she kept her expression neutral. "Can I help you?"
"I hope so. I understand you're investigating the Lincoln Burrows case." Kellerman slid into the seat across from her uninvited. "I wanted to offer assistance. Your father's the governor—I'm sure he'd appreciate someone looking out for his daughter's interests."
Trap. This is a trap.
Daniel's letter had warned her: Man approaching about father's influence—Company operative. Don't trust.
"That's very kind," Veronica said carefully, "but I'm handling the investigation independently."
"Of course. But sometimes independent investigations hit roadblocks. I have access to federal databases, witness protection records. Information that could help you find the truth."
"Or information that could lead me in the wrong direction."
Kellerman's smile didn't waver, but something flickered in his eyes. "I'm just trying to help."
"I appreciate that. But I work alone." Veronica stood, gathering her briefcase. "Thank you for the offer, Mr. Kellerman."
She walked away feeling his eyes tracking her every step.
Outside, she texted her secretary: Run background check on Paul Kellerman. Secret Service. Everything you can find.
Daniel had been right again. The Company was making its move.
DANIEL'S POV
Veronica's next letter arrived May 6th.
Danny,
You were right about the approach. Man named Kellerman offered help—too convenient, too well-timed. I declined. Running background checks now.
How do you know these things? How can you see patterns from inside prison walls?
I'm starting to think you're either the luckiest guesser alive or something more.
Either way, thank you. For the warnings. For the protection. For caring when you don't have to.
You said I'm at the top of your list of people you respect. The feeling is mutual.
V
I read the letter three times, memorizing every word in my mind palace.
She signed it V.
That night, I wrote back.
Veronica,
I pay attention to patterns. Human behavior, organizational structures, the way power moves through systems. The people after Lincoln operate predictably—they protect their conspiracy through intimidation, surveillance, and elimination.
You're a threat to them. A smart, determined threat. That makes you dangerous. And valuable.
Keep being dangerous. Keep being smart. And please, keep being careful.
I care about people I respect. You're at the top of that list.
Danny
I sealed the letter and handed it to the mail officer.
Across the prison, Michael was preparing for the next phase of the escape. Abruzzi was getting impatient. T-Bag was watching everything with predatory eyes.
But Veronica Donovan was alive, warned, and protected.
That had to count for something.
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