"Agent Hayes has identified the operation."
The chief leaned back.
"How much does she know?"
"Enough to connect Walker to the transfers."
Coleman sighed.
"Then Walker has become a liability."
"What do you want us to do?"
Coleman looked toward the window.
"Nothing."
"Sir?"
"Don't make another move until I tell you."
He ended the call.
Then he picked up another phone.
This time, he dialed a private number.
A woman answered.
"Hello?"
"She's getting close."
The woman was silent.
"How close?"
"She's already identified Walker. She may have found the connection to the evidence room."
The woman sighed.
"Then we need to accelerate the plan."
Coleman frowned.
"What plan?"
"The one we discussed."
The chief looked uncomfortable.
"That's not necessary."
"Richard, we are past necessary."
He said nothing.
The woman continued.
"If she reaches the original documents, everything collapses."
Coleman rubbed his forehead.
"What do you want from me?"
"Buy us time."
The call ended.
Coleman stared at the phone.
For several seconds, he remained motionless.
Then he opened the bottom drawer of his desk.
Inside was a black folder.
He removed it.
The cover carried a single word.
NIGHTFALL.
He opened it.
Inside were photographs of several officers.
Walker.
Collins.
Porter.
Grant.
And finally, Victoria Hayes.
He stared at her photograph.
Then he picked up his phone.
"Get me a vehicle."
CHAPTER 7 — THE WOMAN WHO WAS ALWAYS ONE STEP AHEAD
Victoria was standing in the federal operations room when Marcus returned.
"Chief Coleman's vehicle just left headquarters."
Victoria looked up.
"Where is he going?"
"We're tracking it."
"Good."
Marcus handed her another document.
"We also recovered the original transfer authorization."
Victoria examined it.
The document contained a different signature.
Not Grant's.
Not Porter's.
It belonged to Chief Coleman.
But there was something else.
At the bottom of the document was a second approval.
A private company.
Northbridge Security Solutions.
Victoria recognized the name.
It had appeared in several financial records during the investigation.
She looked at Marcus.
"Who owns this company?"
"That's the problem."
"What problem?"
"The registered owner is a shell corporation."
"Who controls the shell corporation?"
Marcus hesitated.
"We traced the ownership through three separate companies."
Victoria waited.
"The final controlling entity belongs to a private investment group."
"Name?"
Marcus handed her a sheet of paper.
Victoria read it.
Her expression changed.
"You're kidding."
Marcus shook his head.
"No."
The investment group was controlled by a man named Charles Whitmore.
A wealthy businessman with extensive political connections and several government contracts.
Victoria looked at the photograph attached to the report.
Whitmore was in his late sixties.
Silver-haired.
Always smiling.
Frequently photographed beside politicians, police chiefs, and public officials.
He had spent years presenting himself as a philanthropist.
But according to the financial records, millions of dollars had flowed through his companies before disappearing into private accounts.
Victoria closed the file.
"Get me everything on Whitmore."
Marcus nodded.
"Already working on it."
Victoria looked at the wall.
A photograph of the highway stop was displayed on the main screen.
Collins.
Walker.
Her vehicle.
The tracking device.
She studied it for several seconds.
Then she noticed something.
The tracking device wasn't positioned randomly.
It had been attached close to the rear bumper.
Which meant whoever placed it had known exactly where the vehicle would be parked.
Victoria turned toward Marcus.
"Who knew I was going to be on that highway tonight?"
Marcus thought for a moment.
"Your team. Director Grant. Porter."
"And?"
He looked at the operation schedule.
"Nobody else."
Victoria stared at the screen.
"Someone leaked the schedule."
Marcus nodded.
"Looks that way."
Victoria picked up her phone.
She called Director Grant again.
This time, someone answered.
"Victoria?"
"Where are you?"
"At home."
"Are you alone?"
A pause.
"Yes."
Victoria looked at Marcus.
"Don't leave your house."
"What's happening?"
"We need to talk about the original authorization."
Grant went silent.
Then she asked:
"Did you find it?"
"Yes."
Another pause.
"Victoria, you need to understand something."
"What?"
"I didn't sign the transfer order."
Victoria looked at the document.
"Your signature is on the copy."
"I know."
"Then explain."
Grant's voice became strained.
"Someone used my credentials."
"Who?"
"I don't know."
Victoria lowered her voice.
"Director, listen carefully. The original document contains Chief Coleman's signature."