ALINA BROOKS: "Nobody contacts the department about M-17. Keep the discovery restricted to this team and the independent prosecutor."
The agents nodded.
Then a noise came from the warehouse entrance.
A vehicle had just arrived.
The security camera showed a black SUV pulling through the gate.
The driver stepped out.
Alina looked at the monitor.
It was Peter Dawson.
He had returned.
And he was not alone.
A second person emerged from the passenger side.
The man wore a dark suit.
He carried no police identification.
But when the camera captured his face, Nathan immediately recognized him.
NATHAN BROOKS: "Agent Brooks..."
Alina did not look away from the screen.
ALINA BROOKS: "Who is that?"
Nathan swallowed.
NATHAN BROOKS: "Thomas Vance."
Alina's eyes narrowed.
The federal coordinator had arrived at the warehouse in person.
The same man whose account had approved the transfer.
The same man whose name appeared on the suspicious storage arrangements.
And the same man who was supposed to oversee the integrity of the federal review.
Alina moved toward the doorway.
ALINA BROOKS: "Secure the rear exit."
Nathan nodded.
The two men were now walking toward the locked room.
Peter Dawson was carrying another document case.
Thomas Vance was speaking quietly on his phone.
They had no idea that the original transfer list had already been recovered.
And they had no idea that federal investigators were waiting inside the building.
Alina stood just beyond the doorway.
She listened as their footsteps approached.
Then she heard Vance speak.
THOMAS VANCE: "Is everything ready?"
PETER DAWSON: "Almost."
THOMAS VANCE: "The last shipment must leave tonight."
PETER DAWSON: "There are still a few problems."
THOMAS VANCE: "What problems?"
PETER DAWSON: "The inspector arrived earlier than expected."
Vance stopped walking.
THOMAS VANCE: "What inspector?"
PETER DAWSON: "Alina Brooks."
For a moment, there was silence.
Then Vance spoke in a much colder voice.
THOMAS VANCE: "I told you the inspection had to be delayed."
PETER DAWSON: "We tried."
THOMAS VANCE: "What do you mean, you tried?"
PETER DAWSON: "Mitchell handled the situation at the department."
THOMAS VANCE: "And?"
PETER DAWSON: "It didn't work."
Vance exhaled sharply.
THOMAS VANCE: "Then we have a much bigger problem than I thought."
Alina looked toward Nathan.
She raised one finger, signaling him to remain silent.
The two men continued approaching.
THOMAS VANCE: "Did you recover the original list?"
PETER DAWSON: "Yes."
THOMAS VANCE: "Where is it?"
Peter hesitated.
PETER DAWSON: "I have it."
THOMAS VANCE: "Show me."
PETER DAWSON: "Not here."
Vance stopped again.
THOMAS VANCE: "What do you mean, not here?"
PETER DAWSON: "There are too many people watching."
THOMAS VANCE: "You told me the building was secure."
PETER DAWSON: "It was."
THOMAS VANCE: "Then why are you acting like someone is following you?"
Peter lowered his voice.
PETER DAWSON: "Because someone is."
Alina glanced toward the federal agents.
The warehouse was silent.
Every person inside the room was waiting.
Then Vance said something that made Alina's attention sharpen.
THOMAS VANCE: "If Brooks has the original list, we're finished."
Peter Dawson did not answer.
THOMAS VANCE: "Do you understand me? We cannot let her connect the final transfer to the regional office."
Alina slowly stepped out from behind the doorway.
ALINA BROOKS: "Then perhaps you should explain why the regional office is involved."
Both men froze.
Peter dropped his document case.
Vance turned sharply.
For the first time, the senior federal coordinator was standing face-to-face with the investigator whose arrival he had tried to prevent.
Alina held up the recovered authorization document.
ALINA BROOKS: "Thomas Vance, you're going to answer some questions."
Vance looked toward the exits.
But the federal agents were already moving into position.
And the expression on his face told Alina that the most important part of the investigation was still ahead.
Vance looked toward the exits, but federal agents had already secured every way out.
THOMAS VANCE: "You have no idea who you're dealing with."
ALINA BROOKS: "I know exactly who I'm dealing with. Someone who believed he was above the law."
Peter Dawson agreed to cooperate, while investigators recovered the original records and stopped the final transfer. Ryan Mitchell, Lawson, Hayes, and Vance were subsequently investigated for their roles in the scheme.
Months later, the corrupt officials faced justice.
Alina never forgot the badge Ryan had thrown away. His arrogance had exposed the truth.
THE END.