For a moment, he looked relieved.
Then he noticed Jessica's expression.
"What happened?"
Jessica crossed her arms.
"I stopped him because he was carrying a suspicious bag in a private parking lot."
Harris looked at her.
"Did he threaten you?"
"No."
"Did he attempt to assault you?"
"No."
"Did he refuse a lawful order?"
Jessica hesitated.
"He questioned my authority."
Harris closed his eyes briefly.
"That's not a crime."
"I was investigating a suspicious situation."
"And now I'm here."
Jessica looked frustrated.
"Sir, I don't understand why everyone suddenly seems to know this man."
Harris turned toward her.
"Because eleven years ago, David Morgan was the lead investigator in the Northbridge disappearance case."
Jessica blinked.
"What?"
"Before he left the department."
David looked away.
Harris continued.
"He was responsible for identifying the original evidence that proved the three missing employees hadn't resigned."
Jessica glanced toward the bag.
"Then why is he carrying evidence in a trash bag?"
David answered before Harris could.
"Because the department lost the original evidence."
Jessica looked at him.
"What do you mean?"
David's voice became quieter.
"I mean someone entered the evidence room, removed the original files, altered the chain-of-custody records, and declared the investigation closed."
Harris looked toward the dark SUV.
"David..."
David ignored him.
"Someone wanted those three people forgotten."
Jessica slowly stepped back.
"Why didn't anyone tell us about this?"
Harris looked at her.
"Because the people responsible made sure nobody would."
THE MAN WHO NEVER LEFT
Harris moved closer to David.
"How did you find it?"
David glanced down at the bag.
"An anonymous message."
"From whom?"
"I don't know."
"What's inside?"
David looked at the lieutenant.
"You're not going to like the answer."
Harris rubbed his forehead.
"Just tell me."
David slowly untied the top of the bag.
Jessica watched carefully.
Inside was a smaller waterproof case wrapped in layers of black plastic.
David removed it.
The case was scratched, dirty, and marked with an old evidence label.
Harris leaned closer.
Then his face changed.
He recognized the label.
"Where did you get that?"
David didn't answer.
Harris looked at the printed number.
His breathing became noticeably heavier.
"That's impossible."
Jessica looked between them.
"What?"
Harris didn't respond.
He was staring at the label.
David finally spoke.
"Evidence number 4417."
Harris swallowed.
"That case was destroyed."
"That's what the records say."
"David, I personally signed the destruction report."
David looked at him.
"Exactly."
The lieutenant stepped back.
Jessica noticed his hand trembling.
"Sir?"
Harris looked at her.
"Officer, I need you to return to your vehicle."
Jessica frowned.
"Why?"
"Because I said so."
David suddenly raised his voice.
"No."
Both officers turned toward him.
David looked directly at Harris.
"She stays."
Harris's expression hardened.
"David, this is not the time."
"She already saw the evidence."
"She doesn't understand what she's looking at."
"Then explain it."
Harris lowered his voice.
"You don't know who else is involved."
David's expression became colder.
"Neither do you."
For several seconds, the two men stared at each other.
Then David slowly opened the metal case.
Inside were several photographs.
An old security access card.
A small digital recorder.
And a folded document sealed inside a transparent evidence pouch.
Jessica leaned forward.
The first photograph showed three men standing beside the Northbridge maintenance building.
The second showed the same three men being escorted toward a black vehicle.
The third photograph was different.
It showed Lieutenant Harris.
Standing beside the vehicle.
Jessica looked up.
Her eyes widened.
"Lieutenant..."
Harris immediately reached for the photograph.
David pulled it away.
"Don't."
Harris stopped.
Jessica stared at him.