Daniel examined the documents.
"Who was responsible?"
Price pointed to a photograph.
Margaret Collins stood beside Victor Kane.
Behind them was Sheriff Richard Hayes.
Daniel felt his stomach tighten.
"How long have they been working together?"
"At least twelve years."
"Why wasn't this exposed?"
Price looked at him.
"Because the network was protected from the inside."
Daniel leaned forward.
"Who ordered Lawson's disappearance?"
Price hesitated.
Then he answered.
"Director Collins."
Robert shook his head.
"That's impossible. Lawson was one of her most trusted agents."
"Exactly," Price replied. "That's why he was dangerous. He knew how the system worked."
Daniel continued examining the photographs.
One showed Lawson entering an industrial building.
Another showed him being escorted into a black vehicle.
The final photograph was dated three days after his disappearance.
It showed Sheriff Hayes standing outside a private detention facility.
Daniel looked up.
"Was Lawson held in Blackwood?"
Price nodded.
"That's what I believe."
Miller stood up.
"Then he might still be alive."
Price shook his head.
"I don't know."
Daniel placed the photographs inside a folder.
"Where did you get these?"
"From Thomas Reed."
Daniel looked at him.
"How did you know Reed?"
"Because I helped him investigate the sheriff. He contacted me shortly before his death."
"Why didn't you come forward earlier?"
Price looked down.
"Because they threatened my daughter."
The room became silent.
Daniel understood.
The network did not rely only on money and violence.
It controlled people through fear.
Before Daniel could ask another question, a television in the corner suddenly switched on.
A breaking news report appeared.
The anchor announced that Sheriff Richard Hayes had requested federal assistance to locate a potentially dangerous FBI agent.
Daniel's photograph appeared on the screen.
The headline read:
FBI AGENT SUSPECTED OF INVOLVEMENT IN WITNESS KIDNAPPING.
Miller stared at the television.
"He's framing you."
Daniel watched the report.
Hayes was standing outside the sheriff's department.
He looked directly into the cameras.
"Agent Carter has repeatedly violated local procedures, threatened public officials, and interfered with ongoing investigations. We believe he may be connected to the disappearance of several witnesses."
The reporter asked whether Hayes had evidence.
The sheriff nodded.
"We have reason to believe he is armed and dangerous."
Daniel switched off the television.
"He's trying to make me the criminal."
Robert looked at him.
"Can he do that?"
"He can try."
Daniel immediately called his Washington contact.
But the call went straight to voicemail.
He tried another number.
Then another.
Every attempt failed.
His credentials had been temporarily suspended.
An official notification appeared on his phone.
PENDING INTERNAL REVIEW: SPECIAL AGENT DANIEL CARTER'S FIELD AUTHORITY SUSPENDED.
Miller looked at him.
"What does that mean?"
Daniel slowly put the phone away.
"It means Collins has made her move."
He turned toward the others.
"We're on our own."
Meanwhile, at the sheriff's department, Hayes was preparing another press conference.
He stood in his office with Victor Kane.
"How long before the FBI arrives?"
Kane checked his watch.
"They won't."
"Why?"
"Because Collins has already arranged everything."
Hayes frowned.
"What about Carter?"
Kane smiled.
"He's finished."
Hayes walked toward his desk.
"I want him found."
"You'll get him."
"And Miller?"
Kane paused.
"He's becoming a problem."
Hayes looked at him.
"Then deal with him."
Kane nodded.
He left the office.
A few minutes later, Hayes opened a drawer and removed a photograph.
It showed him standing beside Thomas Reed.
He stared at it for a long time.
Then he tore it in half.
But he did not notice the small recording device hidden beneath his desk.
Someone had been listening.
And that person was about to change everything.
The following morning, Daniel received an unexpected call.
It was Special Agent Olivia Bennett.
"I've managed to access part of Collins's internal correspondence," she said.
Daniel immediately sat up.
"What did you find?"
"Your assignment to Blackwood wasn't authorized through the normal investigative process."
Daniel frowned.
"Explain."
"Your case file was created six weeks before you were officially assigned. Someone prepared the documents, selected the targets, and requested your deployment."
"Who requested it?"
"Collins."
Daniel stared at the wall.
"Why would she send me into an investigation that could expose her?"
"Because she expected you to fail."
Daniel remained silent.
Olivia continued.
"Your previous investigation into the Lawson case made you useful. Collins knew you would recognize certain names. She wanted to see what evidence you could uncover and whether Thomas Reed had left anything behind."
Daniel slowly understood.
He had not been sent to Blackwood to investigate the corruption.
He had been sent there to locate the evidence.
And once he found it, Collins intended to take it.
"How much does she know?" he asked.
"Enough to be dangerous."
"Can you prove she is involved?"
"I have internal messages and financial records. But they're encrypted."
Daniel looked toward Price.
"Can you access them?"
Price shook his head.
"Not without the original authorization codes."
Olivia spoke again.
"Daniel, there's another issue. Your field authority has been suspended. Collins has issued an internal notice identifying you as a potential security risk."
Daniel laughed bitterly.
"She wants the entire Bureau looking for me."
"Yes."
"Then we need to move faster."
Olivia hesitated.
"There's something I haven't told you."
"What?"
"I requested access to Michael Lawson's original personnel file."
"And?"
"It contains a photograph taken four months ago."
Daniel immediately stood.
"Four months ago?"
"Yes."
"Who is in the photograph?"
Olivia lowered her voice.
"Michael Lawson."
Daniel could barely speak.
"He's alive?"
"I can't confirm that. The photograph was taken outside a private facility in northern Virginia."
Daniel looked at the table.
For ten years, he had believed his partner might have been murdered.
Now there was evidence that he could still be alive.
"Send me the location."
"I will."
But before Olivia could finish, another voice entered the call.
"Agent Bennett."
Olivia stopped speaking.
Daniel recognized the voice immediately.