Then she understood why he had delivered the recording personally.
He had not been trying to help her uncover the truth.
He had been trying to control which parts of the truth she could see.
She immediately contacted the security team.
EVELYN CARTER: "I need access to the administrative headquarters garage. I also need every available camera recording from the date identified by the audio team."
Within an hour, they had obtained the necessary authorization.
The underground garage was nearly empty when they arrived.
The security manager escorted them to the control room.
They examined the records from the relevant date.
At first, nothing appeared unusual.
Then one camera showed a black vehicle entering the garage.
The registration belonged to Richard Lawson.
A second vehicle arrived several minutes later.
It belonged to Thomas Blake.
Both vehicles remained in the garage for almost twenty minutes.
The security manager enlarged the image.
The two men were standing beside a concrete pillar.
They appeared to be arguing.
Then Lawson handed Blake a small package.
Blake took it.
And before leaving, he looked directly toward the camera.
Evelyn stared at the image.
EVELYN CARTER: "That's the original exchange."
HARRIS: "Can we identify what was in the package?"
The manager checked the recording.
It was impossible to see clearly.
But the image showed Blake placing the package inside his jacket.
EVELYN CARTER: "Find every camera covering the exit."
They examined the next recording.
Blake left the garage alone.
Lawson remained behind.
Twenty minutes later, another vehicle arrived.
A woman stepped out.
She approached Lawson.
They spoke briefly.
Then she handed him a document.
The image was clear enough to identify her.
Evelyn leaned closer.
She recognized the woman immediately.
It was Sarah Collins.
The colleague who had just spoken to her on the telephone.
Evelyn stepped back.
For a moment, she could not believe what she was seeing.
The investigation had become more complicated with every discovery.
Now another person she had trusted appeared in the records.
HARRIS: "What do we do?"
EVELYN CARTER: "We don't make accusations based on one photograph."
HARRIS: "You just saw her meeting Lawson."
EVELYN CARTER: "I saw her meeting Lawson. I don't know why."
She looked at the security manager.
EVELYN CARTER: "I need a copy of this recording preserved."
Then she turned toward Harris.
EVELYN CARTER: "And I need you to help me find Samuel Porter."
HARRIS: "How?"
EVELYN CARTER: "He left us a letter. If he wanted the truth to be discovered, he may have left another way to contact him."
They returned to the storage facility.
The manager helped them search the remaining documents.
Inside a small notebook, they found a telephone number.
It belonged to a retired mechanic named George Bennett.
Harris recognized the name.
HARRIS: "Bennett used to work with Porter."
EVELYN CARTER: "Do you know where he lives?"
HARRIS: "Outside the city."
They called the number.
An older man answered.
GEORGE BENNETT: "Hello?"
EVELYN CARTER: "Mr. Bennett, my name is Evelyn Carter. I'm investigating the disappearance of several police records. I believe you know Samuel Porter."
There was silence.
Then the man spoke.
GEORGE BENNETT: "I don't know anyone by that name."
EVELYN CARTER: "I have a letter written by him."
GEORGE BENNETT: "Then you should leave it alone."
EVELYN CARTER: "Mr. Bennett, he may be in danger."
GEORGE BENNETT: "He's been in danger for a long time."
EVELYN CARTER: "Do you know where he is?"
The man hesitated.
GEORGE BENNETT: "If I tell you, will you protect him?"
EVELYN CARTER: "I'll do everything within my authority."
GEORGE BENNETT: "That isn't the same as promising."
Evelyn understood his concern.
EVELYN CARTER: "I cannot promise that nothing bad will happen. But I can promise that I will not abandon him."
The man remained silent.
Then he gave her an address.
It was a small house near the outskirts of the city.
They arrived shortly before sunset.
The property was surrounded by trees and a low wooden fence.
An older man opened the door.
He had a tired face and gray hair.
GEORGE BENNETT: "You're Agent Carter?"
EVELYN CARTER: "Yes."
GEORGE BENNETT: "Come inside."
The house was simple.
There were bookshelves along one wall, a small television, and a collection of old photographs on the mantelpiece.
George led them to the living room.
GEORGE BENNETT: "Samuel is not here."
EVELYN CARTER: "Where is he?"
GEORGE BENNETT: "I don't know."
HARRIS: "You were in contact with him?"
GEORGE BENNETT: "Occasionally."
EVELYN CARTER: "When did you last speak?"
GEORGE BENNETT: "About three weeks ago."
EVELYN CARTER: "Did he mention the Bell case?"
George nodded.
GEORGE BENNETT: "He said someone had finally started asking questions."
EVELYN CARTER: "Did he mention me?"
GEORGE BENNETT: "Yes."
Evelyn waited.
GEORGE BENNETT: "He said you were the only person he believed might finish what he started."
Harris looked surprised.
HARRIS: "Why didn't he contact us directly?"
GEORGE BENNETT: "Because he doesn't trust the department."
EVELYN CARTER: "Does he trust you?"
George looked toward the window.
GEORGE BENNETT: "He trusted me once. I hope he still does."
He walked to a cabinet and removed a small wooden box.
Inside were several photographs and a key.
GEORGE BENNETT: "He left this with me."
Evelyn picked up the key.
GEORGE BENNETT: "He told me to give it to the person who brought his letter."