"I can't speak to what other employees may have done."
Simone nodded.
"Let's discuss the Bennett complaint."
Lawson's expression changed slightly.
"What about it?"
"Why was the complaint classified as resolved?"
"I don't remember the details."
"Did you authorize the closure?"
"I may have approved the administrative processing."
"Did you personally speak with Rachel Bennett?"
"No."
"Did you verify that she had withdrawn her complaint?"
"No."
"Then on what basis was it closed?"
Lawson leaned toward his attorney.
His attorney requested a brief recess.
Simone agreed.
During the break, she stepped into the corridor.
Elena approached.
"We have something."
"What?"
"The server records from yesterday's access."
Simone looked at her.
"The Lawson account?"
"Yes. But there's a problem."
"What kind?"
"The login originated from a workstation in the records division."
Simone frowned.
"Not his office?"
"No."
"Who uses that workstation?"
"Paul Mercer."
Simone was silent.
Elena continued.
"The account was accessed using Lawson's credentials, but the workstation was assigned to Mercer."
"Can we establish who was physically present?"
"Not yet. We're reviewing building access records and surveillance footage."
Simone looked toward the conference room.
"Get the footage."
Elena nodded.
Then she added:
"There's something else. The account accessed the investigation's preliminary document index."
Simone's expression hardened.
"How much?"
"Enough to show that someone was looking for the list of records we requested."
Simone looked at the closed door.
The investigation had just taken another turn.
Someone inside the precinct was not simply concerned about the outcome.
Someone was actively trying to discover what the federal team knew.
At 11:45 a.m., Simone returned to the conference room.
Captain Lawson was waiting.
She sat down and placed a new document on the table.
"Captain, I'd like to ask you about Deputy Records Administrator Paul Mercer."
Lawson glanced at the document.
"What about him?"
"Does he have access to your departmental account?"
"No."
"Has he ever used your workstation?"
"Not to my knowledge."
"Are you aware that your credentials were used yesterday from a workstation assigned to him?"
Lawson's attorney immediately leaned forward.
"Investigator, my client has no knowledge of unauthorized account use."
Simone nodded.
"Understood."
She turned to Lawson.
"Captain, did you authorize anyone to access the investigation index?"
"No."
"Did you ask anyone to determine which documents the Department of Justice had requested?"
"No."
"Did you contact Mr. Mercer yesterday?"
"No."
Simone closed her notebook.
"Thank you. We'll follow up through the appropriate process."
Lawson appeared relieved.
But Simone was not finished.
"One final question."
He looked up.
"Did you ever receive a complaint from Daniel Price before his resignation?"
Lawson's expression became unreadable.
"Who?"
"Daniel Price. Former evidence technician."
"I know who he is."
"Did he raise concerns about evidence handling?"
"I don't remember."
"Did he tell you that he was being pressured to alter official records?"
Lawson's attorney shifted in his seat.
Lawson remained silent.
Then he answered.
"No."
Simone looked directly at him.
"Are you certain?"
"Yes."
She nodded.
"All right."
The interview ended shortly afterward.
Lawson left with his attorney.
Simone remained seated.
She looked at the list of names on the table.
Keller.
Harris.
Mercer.
Lawson.
The pieces were beginning to form a pattern.
But she still lacked the one thing that could connect the administrative records to a deliberate scheme.
A witness who had been inside the evidence room.
Someone who understood how the system worked.
Someone who had left because he could no longer tolerate what he had seen.
Daniel Price.
And he had agreed to talk.
That afternoon, Simone received a message from Elena.
Daniel Price had changed his mind.
He wanted to meet immediately.
He also wanted to provide a copy of an audio recording.
Simone read the message twice.
Then she called him.
"Mr. Price?"
"Yes."
"My name is Simone Brooks. I'm with the Department of Justice."
"I know."
"I understand you have information regarding the evidence records."
There was a long pause.
Then Price spoke.
"I don't just have information."
"What do you have?"
"I have the original instructions."
Simone sat down.
"What do you mean?"
"I recorded the conversation."
"Whose conversation?"
"Captain Lawson's."
Simone looked at Elena.
Elena immediately opened her notebook.
"When did this conversation take place?"
"Three months before I resigned."
"Where?"
"In the records room."
"Who else was present?"
"Paul Mercer. Lieutenant Harris. And Officer Keller."
Simone became completely still.
"Was Keller part of the conversation?"
"Yes."
"What was discussed?"
Price's voice dropped.
"The Walker evidence. And another case."
"Which case?"
"The Bennett complaint."
Simone exchanged a glance with Elena.
"Mr. Price, do you still have the original recording?"
"Yes."
"Has anyone else heard it?"
"No."
"Have you edited it?"
"No."
"Can you preserve the original file and provide it to our office?"
"I can."
"Good. We would like to arrange a secure meeting."
Price hesitated.
"There's something you need to know first."
"What is it?"
"I wasn't the only person who recorded that conversation."
Simone's pen stopped moving.
"What do you mean?"
"Someone else was in the room. Someone who knew what was happening."
"Who?"
Price took a breath.
Then he said:
"Officer Keller."
Simone stared at the phone.
For a moment, she said nothing.
Price continued.
"He recorded it because he wanted protection. He told me he was afraid Lawson would blame him if the investigation ever came out."
Simone leaned forward.
"Do you know where that recording is?"
"No."
"Do you know whether Keller still has it?"
"I think so."
"Why?"
"Because a few weeks after I resigned, he called me."
"What did he say?"
Price's voice became quieter.
"He asked whether I still had my copy. Then he told me that if anyone from the Department of Justice contacted me, I should deny everything."
Simone's expression hardened.
"Did you record that call?"
"No."
"Did you tell anyone about it?"
"No."
"Why not?"
Price was silent for several seconds.
Then he answered.
"Because I was afraid."
Simone closed her eyes briefly.
"Mr. Price, I understand."
"No, Investigator. I don't think you do."
His voice cracked.
"They knew where I lived. They knew my wife's workplace. They knew my daughter's school."
Simone's expression changed.
"Did anyone threaten your family directly?"
"Not in writing."
"Did anyone approach them?"
"My wife received a telephone call. The person didn't say anything. They just asked whether I was still working with the police department."
Simone sat very still.
"Have you reported that?"
"No."
"Why?"
"Because I didn't know who I could trust."
For several seconds, Simone heard only his breathing.