Amanda Foster: "Why was her appointment changed?"
Victor Hayes: "Because there was a question about the authorization."
Amanda Foster: "Who raised that question?"
Victor did not answer immediately.
Victor Hayes: "I received information from a senior office."
Amanda Foster: "Which office?"
Victor looked toward Robert.
Victor Hayes: "I believe the captain already knows."
Robert remained silent.
Amanda Foster: "We are asking you directly."
Victor took a breath.
Victor Hayes: "The deputy director's office."
Amanda wrote something down.
Amanda Foster: "Did the deputy director personally instruct you to restrict Ms. Carter's access?"
Victor Hayes: "I received an instruction through the administrative channel."
Amanda Foster: "Was it written?"
Victor Hayes: "There was an internal note."
Amanda Foster: "Who entered it?"
Victor looked down.
Victor Hayes: "The deputy director's account."
Thomas Reed exchanged a glance with Amanda.
This was the first direct confirmation connecting the senior office to the restricted appointment.
Thomas Reed: "Do you have a copy of that instruction?"
Victor hesitated.
Victor Hayes: "I may have a copy."
Amanda Foster: "Where is it?"
Victor Hayes: "In my office."
Thomas Reed: "We will need that document preserved and submitted through the appropriate process."
Victor nodded reluctantly.
But Robert noticed something.
Victor was answering questions, yet he was still withholding information.
There was something else he did not want to discuss.
Robert stepped forward.
Captain Robert Mitchell: "Mr. Hayes, earlier today you said the instruction came from someone much higher than you. You also mentioned that there were people who had more to lose than either you or Officer Brooks."
Victor looked at him.
Captain Robert Mitchell: "Who were you referring to?"
Victor's face became tense.
Victor Hayes: "I was speaking generally."
Captain Robert Mitchell: "Then why did you show Officer Brooks a document with another person's name on it?"
Daniel looked up.
He realized that Robert had somehow learned about the document.
Amanda turned toward Daniel.
Amanda Foster: "What document?"
Daniel hesitated.
Then he spoke.
Daniel Brooks: "Mr. Hayes showed me a paper with a name and a payment amount written on it."
Victor's expression changed completely.
Victor Hayes: "That document was unrelated."
Thomas Reed: "What was the name?"
Daniel looked at Victor.
Then he answered.
Daniel Brooks: "Deputy Director Richard Collins."
The room fell silent.
Robert slowly opened his notebook.
Richard Collins was the deputy director whose administrative account had accessed Emily's file.
The name now appeared in connection with a handwritten payment record.
Amanda Foster: "Mr. Hayes, do you recognize that document?"
Victor did not respond.
Amanda Foster: "Mr. Hayes?"
Victor Hayes: "I want to speak with legal counsel before answering."
Thomas Reed: "That request will be recorded. We will continue through the proper procedure."
Robert looked toward the door.
He knew the next step was unavoidable.
The deputy director needed to be informed that an independent investigation had identified his account in the relevant records.
But before anyone could leave, Michael Reed appeared at the entrance.
Michael Reed: "Captain, we have something important from the records department."
Robert turned.
Captain Robert Mitchell: "What did you find?"
Michael held up a document.
Michael Reed: "The original file that was supposed to be delivered by Ms. Carter appears to have been accessed this morning. However, the records department cannot locate one of the attachments."
Robert took the document.
Captain Robert Mitchell: "Which attachment?"
Michael Reed: "The original payment authorization."
Amanda immediately looked up.
Amanda Foster: "Was that document included in the file submitted by Ms. Carter?"
Michael Reed: "According to the inventory list, yes."
Robert examined the inventory.
The document was clearly listed.
But the file currently held in the records department did not contain it.
Captain Robert Mitchell: "Who last accessed the original file?"
Michael Reed: "The access record shows Victor Hayes."
Victor's face became pale.
Victor Hayes: "I didn't remove anything."
Thomas Reed: "Nobody has accused you of removing anything yet. We are asking you to explain the access record."
Victor Hayes: "I reviewed the file. That's all."
Amanda Foster: "Did you see the payment authorization?"
Victor Hayes: "I don't remember."
Amanda closed her notebook.
Amanda Foster: "We will need to inspect your office and the relevant records under the applicable procedures."
Victor looked increasingly nervous.
For the first time, the man who had appeared so confident earlier that morning seemed unable to control the situation.
Robert turned toward Michael.
Captain Robert Mitchell: "I want the records department secured. Nobody should move any documents until the review team has completed its inspection."
Michael Reed: "Understood."
Then Robert looked at Amanda.
Captain Robert Mitchell: "I also believe we need to speak with Deputy Director Collins."
Amanda nodded.
Amanda Foster: "We will arrange an independent interview."
The investigation had now reached the highest administrative level involved in the matter.
And the missing payment authorization might be the key to understanding why Emily had been stopped.
Meanwhile, Emily was preparing to leave the medical department.
Her brother James had remained beside her throughout the examination.
The doctor had recommended additional observation because of the head injury.
Emily was tired, but her condition was stable.
James helped her put on her coat.
James Carter: "Are you sure you're feeling well enough to go?"
Emily Carter: "I'm feeling better. I just want to get home."
James Carter: "We'll take you to the hospital for another check if necessary."
Emily nodded.
Before leaving, she looked toward the medical assistant.
Emily Carter: "Thank you for helping me."
Patricia Lewis: "Take care of yourself. And remember, if your symptoms become worse, seek medical attention immediately."
Emily thanked her again.
As she walked into the hallway, she saw Sarah waiting near the reception area.
Sarah approached her.