The investigation lead reviewed the inventory.
"Have you established who authorized the storage operation?"
"Not conclusively," Elena replied. "But several transfer documents carry administrative approval codes linked to the deputy chief's office."
Daniel leaned forward.
"Every document needs to be independently authenticated. We cannot make public accusations based on labels or preliminary interpretations."
The investigation lead nodded.
"Agreed. We will assign separate teams to the financial records, the missing complaints, and the evidence archive."
"Good," Daniel said. "I also want the original access logs preserved."
Elena opened another folder.
"There is a complication."
"What is it?"
"Some of the storage records show that boxes were removed from the Shadow Vault during the past year."
Daniel looked at her.
"How many?"
"At least fourteen recorded transfers. We don't yet know whether all fourteen boxes were returned."
"Who signed the transfer forms?"
Elena pointed to the list.
"Several administrative employees. But the final approval on most of them came from the same office."
Daniel looked at the name.
James Vance.
The investigation lead closed the folder.
"We should interview him as soon as possible."
Daniel nodded.
"Do it through the independent team. He must receive the same procedural protections as anyone else."
***
At 5:30 p.m., Daniel received a call from Vance.
"Chief Brooks. I hear you've been downstairs."
Daniel looked at the phone.
"Yes."
"And I understand you've opened the old storage room."
"That's correct."
Vance sighed.
"I wish you had consulted me first."
"Why?"
"Because those records are sensitive."
"Sensitive in what way?"
"They contain confidential personnel information, old investigations, and material that should not be handled casually."
"The evidence team is preserving everything according to procedure."
Vance paused.
"Some of those files were moved for a reason."
Daniel's expression became colder.
"What reason?"
"Administrative security."
"Who authorized the move?"
"I would need to review the old records."
"Your office appears on several transfer documents."
Vance was silent.
Then he spoke more slowly.
"Chief, you have to understand that the department has operated under difficult circumstances. There were cases that required discretion. There were political pressures, public safety concerns, and issues that could not always be resolved through ordinary procedures."
Daniel listened.
"Are you saying the records were deliberately withheld from official review?"
"I'm saying that you don't know the full history."
"Then tell me."
Vance gave a short laugh.
"You have been here for less than two days. You think you can understand thirty years of administration by looking through a few boxes?"
Daniel stood and walked toward the window.
"I don't need to understand thirty years of administration to know that evidence must not be hidden."
"You're going to damage this department."
"The department has already been damaged."
Vance's voice hardened.
"You should think carefully about your next move."
Daniel ended the call.
He immediately documented the conversation and forwarded it to the independent investigation team.
***
The next morning, the first major witness came forward.
His name was Michael Grant, a former property clerk who had resigned from Bellwood three years earlier.
He had been contacted by Elena after his name appeared in the old evidence transfer records.
Michael arrived at the department with a lawyer and a box of personal documents.
He was nervous, but he had decided to cooperate.
Daniel did not attend the initial interview. He wanted the independent investigators to conduct it without interference from the chief's office.
Later that afternoon, Elena brought him a summary.
"Michael Grant confirmed that evidence packages were sometimes removed from the official property room without a corresponding case transfer."
"How many?"
"He remembers at least twelve occasions."
"Who requested the transfers?"
"Usually an administrative supervisor. But he says the instructions came from Vance's office."
"Did Michael see what happened to the evidence?"
"On two occasions, he saw boxes being taken to the lower-level storage room. He was told they were being held for a confidential audit."
Daniel looked at the summary.
"Did he ever report it?"
"He raised the issue with his supervisor. The supervisor told him not to ask questions."
"What happened afterward?"
"He was reassigned to a different shift. A few months later, he resigned."
Daniel closed the folder.
"Make sure his statement is preserved."
Elena nodded.
"There's something else."
"What?"
"Michael says he remembers a second ledger. It was kept separately from the other financial records."
"Where?"
"He believes it was stored in a locked cabinet in the old administrative office."
Daniel looked up.
"Does that office still exist?"
"Yes. It's currently used for temporary storage."
"Then request authorization to inspect it."
Elena wrote down the instruction.
The investigation was becoming more complex.
The Shadow Vault had revealed a network of hidden records, but the full financial picture was still incomplete.
***
At 8:00 p.m., Daniel received a formal request from the city administration.
Mayor Richard Lawson wanted him to attend a private meeting the following morning.
The request included the city manager and legal adviser.
Daniel understood that the mayor wanted an explanation.
He also suspected that someone had already contacted City Hall about the discovery beneath the department.