When the call ended, she brought the information to Daniel.
“They're ready to cooperate,” she said. “The financial administrator says he was instructed to divide certain payments into smaller invoices so they wouldn't trigger additional review.”
“Who gave the instructions?”
“He says he received them through an administrative channel connected to Vance's office. He's willing to provide the original emails.”
Daniel studied the notes.
“And the former evidence technician?”
“He says he was ordered to transfer several boxes to an off-site storage location. He refused to sign the transfer form because the destination had not been approved. Two days later, he was reassigned.”
“Can he identify the people who gave the order?”
“He believes he can.”
Daniel nodded.
“Make sure the state investigators interview them directly. We do not want anyone claiming that we coached their statements.”
Elena paused.
“There is another issue. Victor Hayes has requested a formal interview.”
Daniel looked up.
“Through his attorney?”
“Yes. His lawyer says Victor wants to clarify the circumstances of the incident at reception.”
“Then the interview can proceed under the investigators' rules. I will not question him privately.”
Elena nodded.
“You think he'll cooperate?”
“I think he knows the records are becoming impossible to ignore.”
***
Victor Hayes arrived at the independent interview facility the following morning.
He was no longer wearing his uniform. His dark jacket hung loosely over his shoulders, and his usual confident expression had disappeared.
His attorney sat beside him.
Across the table were two investigators, a recording device, and a collection of documents. Daniel was not present. Elena watched from a separate room with the investigative team.
The lead investigator began by confirming Victor's identity and explaining the purpose of the interview.
Victor's lawyer asked whether the questions related only to the reception incident.
The investigator answered carefully.
“The interview concerns the reception incident and matters arising from the department's review of relevant records. Your client may decline to answer any question after consulting with you.”
Victor stared at the table.
The first questions concerned the morning Daniel arrived.
Victor admitted approaching him. He acknowledged grabbing his jacket and striking him. He claimed he had believed Daniel was an unauthorized visitor and insisted that the situation had escalated unexpectedly.
The investigator placed a still image from the reception footage on the table.
It showed Victor standing over Daniel after the assault.
“Did you attempt to verify his identity before using force?”
Victor's lawyer intervened.
“My client has already answered questions about the incident.”
The investigator moved to another subject.
“Do you know why your name appears in the Northbridge payment ledger?”
Victor looked up.
“I don't know what you're talking about.”
A second document was placed in front of him.
The entry included a date, a payment reference, and an authorization code connected to an off-duty security assignment.
Victor read it, then looked toward his attorney.
The lawyer leaned closer and whispered something.
The investigator continued.
“Were you paid by Northbridge Security Solutions?”
Victor's face tightened.
“I worked some private security assignments. That's not illegal.”
“Were those assignments declared to the department?”
“I don't remember.”
“Did you receive money in exchange for influencing traffic enforcement or evidence procedures?”
“No.”
“Did James Vance arrange any of those payments?”
Victor remained silent.
The investigator allowed several seconds to pass.
“Mr. Hayes, we are not asking you to speculate. We are asking about transactions with your name attached to them.”
Victor rubbed his forehead.
“I was told the payments were legitimate.”
“Who told you?”
His lawyer placed a hand on his arm.
“Do not answer that without further consultation.”
The interview paused.
Victor was escorted into a separate room with his attorney. When he returned, he declined to answer further questions.
The investigators ended the session without forcing a statement.
Outside the room, Elena watched him leave.
“He's frightened,” she said.
The lead investigator nodded.
“Fear does not establish guilt. But the documents give us a clear direction.”
Elena understood.
The investigation would not depend on Victor's confession. It would depend on records, witnesses, verified transactions, and evidence that could withstand scrutiny.
***
By Friday, the city could no longer pretend the controversy was limited to one assault.
The state investigative team announced that it had opened a formal review into possible evidence-handling violations, financial misconduct, and the suppression of internal complaints within Bellwood Police Department.
The announcement did not name every individual under review. Investigators made clear that allegations were still being examined and that no one should be treated as guilty before the process was complete.
But the announcement changed the atmosphere.
Officers who had remained silent began contacting the independent investigators.
Some provided copies of emails. Others described pressure to close complaints or alter administrative records. A few admitted they had signed forms without knowing what the documents were being used to authorize.
Olivia Parker was among those asked to provide a statement.
She sat in a quiet interview room with a representative present and described the morning Daniel had arrived.
She remembered Victor's approach. She remembered the sudden movement, the sound of the impact, and Daniel falling beside the reception desk.
Most clearly, she remembered the moment she opened the appointment notification on her computer.