The investigators began creating verified copies of the digital records.
Marcus met with the external investigation director in a private conference room.
The director was a woman named Laura Mitchell, who had spent more than twenty years investigating public corruption and complex criminal cases.
She reviewed the initial evidence summary.
When she reached the recording of Voss and Bennett, she stopped reading.
"Is the audio authentic?"
"Our technical team has completed the preliminary verification. The original device has been secured, and the recording is being examined independently."
Mitchell nodded.
"And the ledger?"
"Original evidence transfer records. Multiple entries connect Voss, Bennett, Turner, and several other personnel to the disputed cases."
She looked at Marcus.
"Do you understand what this means?"
"Yes."
"Your name appears in the records."
"I know."
Mitchell closed the folder.
"That creates a potential conflict in how your role is handled. You are both a witness to the current incident and a person whose professional history may be relevant to the investigation."
Marcus nodded.
"I understand. I don't intend to direct the criminal investigation myself."
"Good. We'll handle the evidence independently."
Marcus leaned forward.
"But I want the department's internal records preserved. I don't want anyone using administrative authority to interfere with your investigation."
Mitchell nodded.
"We'll issue the appropriate preservation requests."
"Do that as soon as possible."
She looked at the document again.
"There's something else. The list contains several names from the regional administration office. We need to establish whether they were involved in the alleged scheme or whether their names appear because they processed routine paperwork."
Marcus nodded.
"Agreed. We must distinguish between people who deliberately participated and those who may have been unaware of what was happening."
Mitchell looked at him.
"That's important. We cannot allow the investigation to become a general accusation against everyone whose name appears in the records."
"Exactly."
She closed the folder.
"Commander, we may need to secure the regional administration building before tomorrow's meeting."
Marcus considered the idea.
"If the meeting is genuine, it may provide evidence of who is involved. But we should not take action without establishing the legal basis and the safest approach."
Mitchell nodded.
"We'll assess the options."
Marcus stood.
"One more thing. I want the original Eastbridge file examined independently. Not just the version currently stored in the department system."
"Understood."
He left the room.
Outside, Daniel Price was sitting with a medical officer.
He looked exhausted but calmer.
Marcus approached.
"How are you feeling?"
"Better, sir."
"Have they contacted your family?"
"Yes. The investigators have arranged for them to stay somewhere safe."
Marcus nodded.
"Good."
Price looked toward the evidence room.
"Did you secure everything?"
"Yes."
"Even the recording?"
"Yes."
Price lowered his head.
For the first time in several years, he seemed relieved.
But his expression changed when Marcus mentioned the next step.
"We need to speak with Victor Hale."
Price looked up.
"Are you going to visit him?"
"Yes. We'll arrange it through the proper legal process."
Price hesitated.
"Commander, be careful what you tell him."
"Why?"
"Because he believes the entire department was involved in his conviction."
Marcus nodded.
"Then I'll make it clear that the purpose of the meeting is to establish the facts, not to defend the department."
Price looked at him.
"He may not believe you."
"That's his right."
Marcus paused.
"He has already lost seven years. He doesn't owe us trust."
Price said nothing.
Later that evening, Marcus returned to headquarters under the protection of the external investigative team.
The building was quieter than it had been that morning.
Several officers were finishing their shifts.
The public assistance desk remained open.
A woman was speaking to an employee about a missing-person report, while a young officer helped an elderly visitor find the correct office.
Marcus watched for a moment.
He thought about the people whose cases had been altered.
He thought about the families who had been told that the evidence was complete.
And he thought about the witnesses who had been discouraged from speaking.
The department was supposed to protect people from injustice.
Instead, certain individuals had apparently used it to create injustice.
He entered his office.
A message from the external investigation director was waiting.
The initial review of the forty-nine files had revealed that several cases involved evidence transferred through a private storage facility operated by Northbridge Solutions.
The company had received payment for storing and transporting sensitive materials.
However, its contract did not authorize the company to handle evidence without direct police supervision.
The records also showed that some transfers had been approved after the evidence had already been moved.
That meant the paperwork had been created to justify actions that had taken place earlier.
Marcus read the report carefully.
Another message arrived.
This one contained a preliminary list of people connected to the disputed cases.
He scrolled through the names.
Several were former officers.
Some were private contractors.
Others were witnesses who had disappeared or withdrawn their statements.
At the bottom of the list was a name he had not expected to see.
Captain Laura Mitchell.
Marcus stopped.
He read the name again.