Captain Robert Mitchell: "Can we establish whether the missing attachment was deliberately removed?"
Amanda Foster: "Not yet. We are examining the access records and physical document logs."
Robert looked toward Emily, who was waiting with her brother.
Captain Robert Mitchell: "Then we continue until we have a complete account."
Over the next several days, the investigation expanded.
The original accounting records were compared with the payment authorization.
Several inconsistencies were identified.
The compliance team also discovered that an internal report had been modified after the original review was completed.
The changes had been made using an account connected to the deputy director's office.
Victor Hayes eventually provided a copy of the internal instruction he had received.
It confirmed that the appointment restriction had been requested by Richard Collins.
However, Victor also admitted that he had personally accessed the original file and could not explain why the attachment was missing.
Daniel provided a written statement acknowledging that he had acted improperly during the confrontation.
He admitted that he had been instructed to verify Emily's access but had gone beyond what was necessary.
He also acknowledged that he had used physical force without a sufficient justification.
The independent investigators recommended disciplinary proceedings and further legal review where appropriate.
Daniel was removed from his ordinary duties pending the outcome of the process.
Victor was also placed under administrative review.
Richard Collins was required to provide additional records and explanations concerning the payment authorization and the changes made to the internal report.
But one important question remained.
Who had actually removed the original attachment?
The answer came from an unexpected source.
A junior records clerk named Peter Evans contacted Amanda.
Peter had worked in the records department for only eight months.
He was quiet, careful, and generally avoided involvement in workplace disagreements.
But after learning that Emily had been injured while trying to submit the documents, he decided that he could no longer remain silent.
Amanda arranged a confidential meeting.
Peter arrived carrying a small notebook.
Peter Evans: "I don't know whether this will help, but I think you should see something."
Amanda opened the notebook.
Amanda Foster: "What is it?"
Peter Evans: "I keep a record of documents that are transferred between departments. It's part of my normal work."
Amanda examined the entries.
One line contained the reference number of Emily's file.
It showed that the original payment authorization had been transferred from the records department to the deputy director's office the previous afternoon.
The transfer had not been recorded in the main system.
Amanda looked up.
Amanda Foster: "Who collected it?"
Peter hesitated.
Peter Evans: "Mr. Collins."
Amanda remained silent.
Peter continued.
Peter Evans: "He told me the document needed to be reviewed privately. I thought it was an ordinary administrative request."
Amanda Foster: "Did he return it?"
Peter Evans: "No."
Amanda: "Did you report that it had not been returned?"
Peter lowered his eyes.
Peter Evans: "I was afraid."
Amanda: "Afraid of what?"
Peter Evans: "I didn't want to lose my job. He's a senior official. I thought nobody would believe me."
Amanda looked at him carefully.
Amanda Foster: "Why are you telling us now?"
Peter took a breath.
Peter Evans: "Because I saw what happened to Ms. Carter. She came here with documents and was treated like a criminal. I kept thinking that if I had spoken earlier, maybe she wouldn't have been hurt."
Amanda closed the notebook.
Amanda Foster: "You did the right thing by coming forward. We will document your statement and protect the integrity of the investigation."
Peter nodded.
The information was immediately forwarded to the independent review team.
The transfer record was compared with the security footage.
The footage confirmed that Richard had entered the records department shortly after the transfer was made.
The investigation now had a clear timeline.
The original authorization had been removed from the normal records process.
The appointment was subsequently restricted.
Daniel was told to prevent Emily from proceeding until further authorization.
And when Emily arrived, the confrontation escalated into physical violence.
The evidence did not establish every detail of what Richard had intended.
But it established that the administrative restrictions had been deliberately entered and that the original document had been transferred outside the normal process.
The missing authorization was eventually located inside a locked cabinet in an office used by the deputy director.
It was recovered under formal procedures.
When investigators examined it, they found that the document contained information that had not appeared in the final administrative report.
The discrepancies were significant enough to justify a separate financial and legal examination.
The case was no longer just about an officer's misconduct.
It had become an investigation into the handling of official records and a disputed payment.
Several weeks passed.
The courthouse remained busy, but the people involved in the incident were no longer in their previous positions.
Daniel was subject to formal disciplinary proceedings.
His actions were assessed based on the security footage, witness statements, medical evidence, and his own written account.
The review found that he had used unnecessary physical force, behaved unprofessionally, and failed to respond appropriately after Emily was injured.
The disciplinary authority imposed serious sanctions, including removal from his ordinary duties and further action under the applicable regulations.
The matter was also referred for consideration of any legal responsibility arising from his conduct.
Victor Hayes faced separate proceedings for his handling of the appointment and records.
His access to the relevant administrative system was suspended while the investigation continued.
Richard Collins was removed from his management responsibilities pending the outcome of the broader review.
The disputed payment records were referred to the appropriate authorities for independent examination.