Marcus nodded.
"Yes."
"That would mean he knew about your movements, your meetings, and possibly the identity of our informant."
"Which explains why someone was waiting for me in the park."
Collins entered with a new report.
"We located James Walker."
Marcus immediately stood.
"Where?"
"At a private medical facility outside the city. He contacted a nurse after escaping from the people who entered his house."
"Is he safe?"
"For now."
"Get him under protection."
Collins nodded.
But before he could leave, Rebecca received an alert.
"General!"
Marcus turned.
"What happened?"
"Someone is trying to access the operation's central archive!"
Parker moved beside her.
"Can you stop it?"
"I'm trying."
The warning changed.
SECURITY CREDENTIALS COMPROMISED.
Marcus looked at the screen.
"Disconnect the external network."
Rebecca immediately activated the emergency isolation protocol.
The system shut down.
But the damage had already been done.
Several confidential files had been accessed.
One of them contained the location of the witness protection facility.
Collins swore under his breath.
"They know where Walker is."
Marcus grabbed his jacket.
"Call the facility. Tell them to move him immediately."
Parker activated her radio.
"All units, emergency security protocol. Protect the witness and secure the facility."
Then Marcus's phone rang.
The caller ID displayed an unfamiliar number.
He answered.
A familiar voice spoke.
"Hello, Marcus."
It was Andrew Mitchell.
Marcus said nothing.
"I assume you've discovered my name in the records."
"Why?"
Mitchell sighed.
"Because you were never supposed to find out."
"You approved the operation."
"Yes."
"You knew Hale was corrupt."
"I knew what he was doing."
"And you helped him?"
Mitchell paused.
"I helped myself."
Marcus clenched his jaw.
"What about Daniel Hale?"
"A useful officer. Nothing more."
"And the park?"
Mitchell laughed softly.
"You were becoming a problem."
"So you sent Daniel to plant drugs on me?"
"I wanted you removed from the investigation. I didn't expect you to expose yourself in front of half the city."
Marcus looked at Parker.
She quietly activated the recording system.
Mitchell continued.
"Hale had resources, connections, and money. He wanted to control certain operations within the department. I gave him access to information, and he paid me for it."
"How long?"
"Long enough."
Marcus looked toward the photographs on the wall.
"What about the original complaints?"
"Those were inconvenient. Vance handled them."
"And the witnesses?"
"They should have kept quiet."
Marcus felt his jaw tighten.
"James Walker was threatened."
"People become difficult when they refuse to understand the consequences."
"Did you arrange for him to be followed?"
Mitchell did not answer.
"Andrew, did you?"
The older man sighed.
"You always did ask too many questions."
Marcus looked at Parker.
She gave him a small nod.
The recording was working.
"Where is Richard Hale now?" Marcus asked.
"Somewhere you won't find him."
"Then why are you calling?"
"Because I want to make a deal."
Marcus remained silent.
Mitchell continued.
"I can give you everything. Names, accounts, documents. But you have to guarantee that I'll be protected."
"You're asking for immunity?"
"I'm asking to survive."
Marcus looked at the photograph of the park.
"People like you always believe they can negotiate their way out of consequences."
Mitchell's voice hardened.
"Then perhaps you should worry about the people who have already been sent to find you."
The call ended.
Parker immediately saved the recording.
"General, we have his confession."
Marcus nodded.
"Now we get Hale."
He looked toward the large screen.
A photograph of the commissioner appeared.
"Prepare the warrants. We're moving tonight."
But before the team could begin, Rebecca received an emergency message.
"General!"
Marcus turned.
"What happened?"
"Someone has entered the witness protection facility."
Collins immediately reached for his radio.
"Is Walker safe?"
Rebecca looked at the screen.
"We've lost contact with the security team."
Marcus grabbed his jacket.
"Get every available investigator there. Now."
The final trap had been set.
And the people behind it were no longer trying to protect their secrets.
They were trying to eliminate anyone who could expose them.
At 9:40 p.m., several unmarked federal vehicles arrived outside Commissioner Richard Hale's private residence.
The property was surrounded by a tall stone wall and a security gate. Warm lights illuminated the driveway, where a black luxury sedan was parked beneath a covered entrance.
Inside, Hale was sitting in his study.
A glass of whiskey rested beside a stack of documents.
He had spent the entire evening making phone calls.
His lawyer had advised him to remain calm. His associates had stopped answering. And the news coverage had become increasingly uncomfortable.
He knew something was wrong.
Then the doorbell rang.
Hale stood.
He walked toward the entrance and opened the door.