"Don't worry. The recordings have been preserved."
Voss's expression became colder.
"Marcus, you need to be careful. There are matters inside this department that you don't fully understand yet."
Marcus looked at him.
"Then explain them."
Voss said nothing.
Marcus continued.
"Who is Iris Whitcomb?"
Voss's jaw tightened.
"She's a former employee who has been causing problems for years."
"What kind of problems?"
"She has made accusations against people who have done nothing wrong."
"Has her evidence been reviewed?"
Voss leaned forward.
"Her claims have already been examined."
"By whom?"
"Internal affairs."
Marcus looked at him.
"Was there an independent review?"
Voss did not answer.
Marcus placed another document on the desk.
"What about the forty-nine cases?"
For several seconds, Voss remained motionless.
Then he slowly closed the folder.
"Where did you hear that number?"
Marcus did not respond.
Voss stood.
"Listen to me, Marcus. You're new here. You don't understand the relationships, the history, or the pressure this department has been under."
Marcus remained seated.
"Then this is an excellent opportunity for you to explain it."
Voss looked toward the window.
"You have no idea what you're walking into."
Marcus's voice remained calm.
"I know that an officer attacked me outside this building. I know that the same officer received a photograph of me before I arrived. I know that you met him in the parking area and took an envelope from him."
He paused.
"And I know that an older woman has been trying to submit evidence about forty-nine disputed cases, while someone in this department has repeatedly prevented her from doing so."
Voss turned back.
"You're making a serious mistake."
Marcus looked at him.
"No, Graham. I'm asking questions."
Voss stepped toward the door.
"Some questions have consequences."
Marcus stood.
"Then let's find out what those consequences are."
Voss opened the door.
Before leaving, he turned back.
"Don't trust everyone who claims to have evidence. Some people will say anything to damage this department."
Marcus answered quietly.
"Then the evidence should be examined."
Voss stared at him for a moment.
Then he left.
Marcus remained standing.
The meeting had confirmed something important.
Voss knew about the forty-nine cases.
He knew about Iris.
And he was deeply uncomfortable that Marcus had discovered the connection.
But the commander still did not know the full story.
He needed the original records.
He needed Iris.
And he needed to determine who had sent the anonymous messages.
Marcus returned to his desk and called Daniel.
"Any news?"
Daniel answered immediately.
"Commander, we've checked the usual places. We haven't found Iris Whitcomb yet."
"Continue looking, but do not alert anyone in Voss's office."
"Understood."
Marcus paused.
"There's another thing. I want you to find out whether Iris has any known family members or former colleagues who might know where she is."
"Yes, sir."
After ending the call, Marcus opened the unknown message again.
He typed another response.
I NEED TO SPEAK WITH IRIS. WHERE CAN I FIND HER?
For several minutes, there was no reply.
Then his phone vibrated.
A new message appeared.
SHE KNOWS WHO CHANGED THE FORTY-NINE REPORTS.
Another message followed.
SHE ALSO KNOWS WHO ORDERED THEM TO DISAPPEAR.
Marcus stared at the screen.
He typed:
WHY ARE YOU HELPING ME?
The response arrived almost immediately.
BECAUSE I WAS ONE OF THE FORTY-NINE.
Marcus felt a chill move through him.
Before he could ask another question, the phone rang.
The number was hidden.
He answered.
"Commander Reed."
A woman's voice spoke quietly.
"Do not trust the deputy chief."
Marcus stood.
"Who is this?"
"You need to find Iris before they do."
"Where is she?"
"I can't tell you over the phone."
"Then tell me who you are."
There was a pause.
"My name is Daniel Price. I used to work in the department's evidence unit."
Marcus frowned.
"Used to?"
"I was dismissed three years ago."
"Why?"
"Because I refused to sign a report saying that evidence had been destroyed when I knew it had been transferred."
Marcus listened carefully.
"What evidence?"
"Records connected to several criminal cases."
"How many?"
"Forty-nine."
Marcus looked toward the office door.
"Where are you now?"
"I can't tell you that yet."
"Mr. Price, if you have information, you need to provide it through a secure and lawful process."
"I know. But if I walk into that building, Voss will know before I reach the front desk."
Marcus considered the statement.
"Then we will arrange an independent meeting."
Daniel Price lowered his voice.
"You don't understand. Voss already knows you found the footage."
Marcus's expression hardened.
"How do you know?"
"Because someone called me ten minutes ago."
"Who?"
"I don't know. But they told me to leave the city."
Marcus looked toward the window.
"Did you receive a threat?"
"Not directly. They told me that if I wanted to keep my family safe, I should stop talking."
Marcus remained silent.
Then he spoke.
"Listen carefully. Do not approach the headquarters. Do not destroy or move any records. Preserve everything you have. We will arrange contact through an independent investigative team."
Price hesitated.
"Can you protect Iris?"
"We will do everything within our authority to locate her and ensure that she can provide her evidence safely."