Several entries had been signed by officers who later denied having any knowledge of the transfers.
Marcus turned another page.
At the bottom of the sheet was a case reference.
EASTBRIDGE WAREHOUSE INVESTIGATION.
He read the entry carefully.
The record showed that an original witness statement had been removed from the file.
The authorization had been approved by Harold Bennett.
The receiving officer was Michael Turner.
And the final administrative approval had been recorded under Marcus Reed's name.
Marcus stared at the page.
His name appeared in a section he had never seen before.
A handwritten note had been added beside it.
COMMANDER REED'S APPROVAL MUST REMAIN ON FINAL COPY.
Marcus looked at Daniel Price.
"Who wrote this?"
Price shook his head.
"I don't know. But it was written before the file was finalized."
"Did you ever show this to Voss?"
"Yes."
"What happened?"
Price's expression became bitter.
"He told me the ledger was incomplete and that I was misinterpreting the codes."
Marcus closed the book.
"Then why did you keep it?"
"Because I knew the original records would eventually be needed."
Marcus looked toward the investigator.
"Secure the ledger. Photograph every page. Create verified copies and record the chain of custody."
"Yes, Commander."
Price watched the investigators work.
Then he spoke again.
"Commander, you need to listen to the recording before you decide what to do next."
The investigator connected one of the storage devices to a secure forensic workstation.
A file appeared on the screen.
Its date was seven years earlier.
The team leader checked the file properties and verified that the original recording had not been modified.
He played it.
At first, there was only background noise.
Then two male voices became audible.
The first voice belonged to Graham Voss.
The second belonged to Harold Bennett.
Voss was speaking about the Eastbridge investigation.
He said that the witness statement could not remain in the final file.
Bennett responded that the case had already progressed too far and that removing the statement would create a risk if the original records were ever examined.
Voss replied that the records could be adjusted before the final submission.
Then Bennett said something that made Marcus's expression harden.
He said that Commander Reed's name would provide sufficient protection because nobody would question a report approved by him.
The recording continued.
Voss asked whether the signature had been prepared.
Bennett confirmed that the document was ready.
Then he added that the remaining cases would be handled in the same way.
Marcus looked toward Daniel Price.
"How many people knew about this?"
Price shook his head.
"Not everyone. Some people only handled the paperwork. Others knew the reports were being changed but didn't know why."
Marcus listened to the recording again.
The conversation was clear.
It was not a misunderstanding.
It was not an administrative error.
It was a deliberate discussion about removing evidence and using Marcus's professional reputation to protect the operation.
The team leader stopped the recording.
"Commander, this is significant evidence."
Marcus nodded.
"Preserve the original file and create a forensic copy."
"Already in progress."
Marcus looked at Price.
"Why didn't you release this earlier?"
Price gave a tired laugh.
"Because I was afraid."
"Of Voss?"
"Of everyone."
He looked toward the ledger.
"You don't understand how many people depend on that operation. Some officers received money. Some supervisors received promotions. Some people outside the department were protected from investigations."
Price paused.
"And some people were simply doing their jobs without knowing that the records they were handling had been changed."
Marcus listened.
Price continued.
"When I tried to report it, my access was removed. When I contacted internal affairs, they told me there was no evidence. When I spoke to a lawyer, someone sent photographs of my children to my home."
Marcus's expression became serious.
"Did you report that threat?"
"I tried."
"What happened?"
"Nothing."
Marcus looked at the investigators.
"Make sure his statement is recorded and that immediate protection is arranged for him and his family."
The team leader nodded.
"Yes, Commander."
Price looked at Marcus.
"Do you really think this can be stopped?"
Marcus answered carefully.
"I can't promise that it will be easy. But we now have evidence that can be independently examined."
Price lowered his head.
"That's more than we had before."
The investigators continued documenting the contents of the storage case.
Among the documents was a list of names.
Some belonged to police officers.
Others belonged to private contractors and government officials.
At the bottom of the page was a note referring to a meeting scheduled for the following evening.
The location was the Riverton Regional Administration Building.
Marcus read the note twice.
"What's this meeting?"
Price looked at it.
"That's where they usually discuss the records."
"Who attends?"
"Voss. Bennett. A representative from Northbridge Solutions. Sometimes other people."
"Do you know the representative's name?"
Price nodded.
"Adrian Cross."
Marcus recognized the name.
Cross was the chief executive of Northbridge Solutions.
He had appeared in several public photographs alongside senior government officials.
The company had won multiple security contracts over the past decade.
Marcus looked at the investigator.
"Can we verify this meeting?"
The investigator examined the document.