Before Harris could respond, someone knocked on the door.
It was Jessica Miller.
"Deputy Chief?"
"Come in."
She entered, looking nervous.
"Sir, I think there's something you should see."
Marcus gestured toward the chair.
"What is it?"
Jessica held up a small envelope.
"I found this in the locker room."
Marcus looked at it.
"Where exactly?"
"Inside the bottom drawer of the locker assigned to Officer Nolan."
Harris stood.
"Why were you in his locker?"
"I wasn't. The drawer was open. I was looking for a missing radio charger, and I saw the envelope."
Marcus accepted it.
"Did you open it?"
"No, sir."
"Good."
He examined the envelope.
There was no name on the front.
Only a date.
And a handwritten number.
1842.
The first case on his investigation list.
Marcus looked at Jessica.
"Did anyone else see this?"
"I don't think so."
"Thank you. Please return to your duties."
She left.
Marcus carefully opened the envelope.
Inside was a folded sheet of paper.
It contained a short handwritten message.
The original files were never destroyed. Ask who moved them to Storage Unit 17.
Marcus read it twice.
Then he looked at Harris.
"Do we have a Storage Unit 17?"
Harris frowned.
"Not officially."
"Find out."
Within an hour, the department's property records had revealed something unexpected.
A private storage facility had been rented under a company name connected to an administrative contractor.
The rental agreement had been authorized by Captain Whitaker.
The listed contact person was Ryan Nolan.
Marcus leaned back in his chair.
"Well."
Harris looked troubled.
"Sir, this is getting bigger."
Marcus closed the binder.
"It already was."
At 4:20 p.m., Marcus received a message from an unknown number.
Stop looking into the storage facility. You don't know who you're dealing with.
He stared at the screen.
Then he showed Harris.
The lieutenant's face hardened.
"That's a threat."
"It could be."
"We should report it immediately."
"We will."
Marcus saved the message.
Then another arrived.
You were warned. Go back to wherever you came from.
Marcus placed the phone on the desk.
He didn't appear frightened.
But his expression had become considerably colder.
"Lieutenant, I want a security review of every person who has accessed my office."
Harris nodded.
"Immediately."
"And contact the chief. Tell him we have evidence of possible intimidation connected to the investigation."
"Understood."
Marcus stood and walked to the window.
Outside, two patrol cars pulled into the parking lot.
Officers stepped out, laughing about something.
Ordinary life continued.
But inside the building, the situation was becoming dangerous.
That evening, Nolan approached Marcus near the front entrance.
"Sir."
Marcus turned.
"Officer Nolan."
"Could I speak with you?"
"Certainly."
Nolan glanced around.
"Somewhere private?"
Marcus studied him.
"Follow me."
They walked into a small interview room.
Nolan closed the door.
For several seconds, he said nothing.
Then he spoke.
"I know about the investigation."
Marcus sat down.
"What investigation?"
Nolan looked irritated.
"The evidence records. The overtime. The storage facility."
Marcus didn't react.
"That's quite a list."
"I also know you've been reviewing my access logs."
"Have you?"
Nolan leaned forward.
"Look, sir. I don't know what someone told you, but I'm not involved in anything illegal."
Marcus folded his hands.
"Then you shouldn't have anything to worry about."
Nolan looked toward the door.
"Captain Whitaker has been telling people you're here to destroy careers."
Marcus raised an eyebrow.
"Is that what he told you?"
"He's been saying you're trying to make examples out of people."
Marcus nodded slowly.
"Interesting."
Nolan leaned closer.
"Sir, I think you're making a mistake."
"What kind of mistake?"
"You're going after the wrong people."
Marcus remained silent.
Nolan continued.
"There are things happening here that you don't understand."
"Then explain them."
Nolan hesitated.
"I can't."
"Why?"
"Because..."
He stopped.
Marcus waited.
Finally, Nolan whispered, "Because some people have a lot more power than you think."
Marcus looked directly at him.
"Officer Nolan, do you understand the implications of what you're saying?"
Nolan rubbed his face.
"I'm trying to help you."
"Then help me."
Nolan stared at the table.
For a moment, he seemed ready to speak.
Then he stood abruptly.
"Forget it."
Marcus didn't move.
"Sit down."
Nolan stopped.
The command was quiet but unmistakably authoritative.
He slowly turned around.
"Sir..."
"You're either trying to help this investigation or you're trying to interfere with it. I suggest you decide which."
Nolan swallowed.
Then he sat down again.
"Captain Whitaker told me to access certain files."
Marcus's expression remained unchanged.
"Which files?"
"The evidence records."
"Why?"
"He said there were discrepancies that needed to be corrected."
"Did he provide written authorization?"
"No."
"Did you alter anything?"
Nolan shook his head.
"I didn't delete anything."
Marcus looked at him.
"That wasn't my question."
Nolan lowered his eyes.
"I changed some entries."
Marcus remained still.
"Which entries?"
"Transfer dates. A few property descriptions."
"Why?"