## Chapter 13: The Truth Comes to Light

A silence fell in the library. Jerzy glanced at everyone gathered, his eyes settling on Helena.

"Let's start from the beginning," he said, "tell me everything you know about Piotr and that night five years ago."

Helena took a deep breath.

"I was with Albert in his office then. Piotr found something we shouldn't have seen. Someone... someone wanted him to keep quiet. Albert tried to protect him, but... everything got out of control."

Maria, Kaja, and Tadeusz listened in silence, each trembling. Piotr still sat hunched over, as if the memories themselves were a painful blow.

"Who was that?" Jerzy asked sharply.

"I can't say," Helena whispered. "Because back then... we were all afraid for our lives."

At that moment, Piotr suddenly stood up.

"It's me!" he cried. "I saw who did it!" And now I know they've returned to finish their work.

Jerzy looked intently. Piotr described the details of that night, every step the murderer took, every reaction of Albert and the guests. Finally, everything began to form a picture of terrifying betrayal and revenge.

"So one of us is here now..." Jerzy began.

"Yes," Piotr interrupted, "and we can't make the same mistake we made back then."

Suddenly, a door slammed. Everyone looked toward the entrance—the silhouette of an unknown man appeared in the lamplight.

"Time for the truth," Jerzy whispered.

The man removed his hood, revealing a face no one had expected. The silence in the library was almost unbearable, and everyone knew that now everything would come to light. Piotr was trembling, Kaja and Maria were hugging each other, and Helena was trying to maintain her composure.

"That's the end of the lies," Jerzy said. "Now we'll find the real perpetrator."