"Officially, suicide."
Olivia studied the file.
"Was there an investigation?"
"A brief one."
"Who supervised it?"
Emily looked at her.
"Richard Dawson."
Silence filled the room.
Then Olivia's phone rang.
The caller ID showed Captain Dawson.
She answered.
"Captain."
His voice sounded strained.
"Agent Bennett, I need to speak with you."
"About what?"
"The Pier Nine fire."
Olivia looked at Emily.
"I'm listening."
Dawson took a shaky breath.
"I haven't told you everything."
Olivia's voice remained calm.
"Then perhaps it's time you did."
Dawson was silent.
Then he whispered.
"Not over the phone. Meet me at the old harbor chapel in thirty minutes."
"Why there?"
"Because it's the only place I know they aren't watching."
The call ended.
Emily stared at Olivia.
"What are you going to do?"
Olivia reached for her coat.
"I'm going to hear what he has to say."
Emily stood.
"I'm coming with you."
Olivia shook her head.
"No. I need you somewhere safe."
"Olivia—"
"Emily, listen. If Dawson is involved, this could be dangerous."
Emily looked at the folder.
"And if he's telling the truth?"
Olivia checked her phone.
"Then we may finally learn what happened twelve years ago."
The old harbor chapel stood on a narrow hill overlooking the river.
Its wooden doors were weathered.
Its stained-glass windows had faded.
Once, dockworkers had gathered there before long voyages.
Now, it was rarely used.
At 12:34 a.m., Olivia arrived with Daniel and a small surveillance team positioned nearby.
She entered the chapel alone.
Captain Dawson sat in the front pew.
He looked up when she approached.
"Thank you for coming."
Olivia remained standing.
"You said you had something to tell me."
Dawson nodded.
"Sit down."
"I'd rather stand."
He looked at the floor.
"Twelve years ago, I was assigned to a port inspection unit."
"I know."
"We intercepted a shipment that was supposed to contain industrial machinery."
"What did it actually contain?"
Dawson swallowed.
"Weapons."
Olivia remained silent.
"The shipment belonged to a company controlled by Charles Voss. We were supposed to secure it and notify federal authorities."
"But you didn't."
"No."
"Why?"
Dawson looked toward the altar.
"Lieutenant Mercer told me the cargo had already been cleared by a special security arrangement."
"And you believed him?"
"I wanted to."
Olivia's expression hardened.
"That's not the same thing."
Dawson nodded.
"I know."
He continued.
"Mercer ordered the cargo moved. He said the paperwork would be corrected later. I signed the transfer authorization."
"What happened next?"
"Three nights later, the warehouse burned."
"Was it deliberate?"
Dawson closed his eyes.
"Yes."
Olivia felt anger rise.
"Did you know?"
"Not until afterward."
"Then why didn't you report it?"
Dawson's voice broke.
"Because my signature was on the documents. Mercer told me I'd be charged with conspiracy."
Olivia stared at him.
"So you protected yourself."
"Yes."
"And people died because the weapons continued moving."
Dawson looked down.
"Yes."
For a long moment, neither spoke.
Then Dawson reached into his jacket.
Olivia stiffened.
He stopped.
"It's a flash drive."
"Put it on the pew."
He complied.
Olivia looked at the small device.
"What's on it?"
"Copies of the original port inspection reports. Internal emails. And a recording."
"Of whom?"
"Adrian Vale."
Olivia stared at him.
Dawson continued.
"Six years ago, Vale contacted me after Mercer was promoted. He wanted me to approve a series of personnel transfers."
"Why?"
"To place officers loyal to him in sensitive positions."
"Did you do it?"
"Some."
Olivia's face hardened.
Dawson raised his hands.
"I know what I've done. I'm not asking you to excuse it."
"Then why tell me now?"
He looked at her.
"Because Thomas Keene came to me before he disappeared."
Olivia froze.
"What?"
"Four days before his death. He said he'd found evidence connecting the mayor's office to the weapons network."
"Why didn't you tell us?"
"I was afraid."
Olivia shook her head.
"Fear has been your excuse for twelve years."
Dawson accepted the words.
"You're right."
He reached into his pocket again.
This time, he removed a folded photograph.
He placed it beside the flash drive.
Olivia examined it.
The image showed Mayor Whitlock, Adrian Vale, Charles Voss, and several other men standing aboard a private yacht.
On the back was a handwritten date.
October 18.
The day after the Pier Nine fire.
Dawson spoke quietly.
"That photograph was taken after the shipment disappeared."
Olivia studied the faces.
"Who took it?"
"Samuel Voss."
"Charles's brother?"
Dawson nodded.
"Samuel wanted out. He told me the mayor knew everything."
Olivia looked up.
"What happened to him?"
Dawson's eyes filled with tears.
"He tried to give me evidence."
"And?"
"I told him to wait."
Olivia stared at him.
"He was found dead six months later."
Dawson nodded.
"I've lived with that decision every day."
Olivia picked up the photograph.
"Why should I believe you now?"
Dawson looked directly at her.
"Because I'm willing to testify."
Before Olivia could respond, a sharp sound echoed outside.
Glass shattered.
Dawson turned toward the window.
A second later, a bullet struck the wooden pew beside him.
"DOWN!" Olivia shouted.
She grabbed Dawson and pulled him behind the altar.
Another shot tore through the chapel window.