“There's a second copy. But it's not on a computer.”
“Where is it?”
Price hesitated.
“Inside the terminal.”
Daniel looked toward the elevator.
“Which terminal?”
“The one where you were detained.”
Before Daniel could ask another question, Price whispered:
“They know about this meeting.”
The call disconnected.
A car engine roared somewhere on the lower level.
Daniel turned.
A black SUV was accelerating toward the exit.
Then his phone received a photograph.
It showed Samuel Price sitting inside a vehicle.
The caption read:
STOP INVESTIGATING.
CHAPTER 14 — THE HIDDEN SERVER ROOM
Daniel returned to the public transportation terminal with Commander Brooks and Monica.
They searched the administrative offices and maintenance corridors.
Behind a locked utility door, they found an old server room.
The equipment was outdated, but one machine was still operating.
Monica examined the connections.
“This isn't part of the official terminal network.”
Daniel looked at the screen.
“Can you access it?”
“Give me a minute.”
She connected a forensic device.
A directory appeared.
Thousands of files were stored inside.
The first folder was labeled:
CITIZEN COMPLAINT MONITORING.
The second:
OFFICER DISCIPLINARY SUPPRESSION.
The third:
SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS.
Daniel opened the final folder.
Inside were scanned documents authorizing officers to conduct repeated surveillance on selected individuals.
Some of the targets were journalists.
Others were community activists.
Several were ordinary passengers who had filed complaints.
Then Monica found a document with Daniel's name.
It had been created three days before his visit.
The instructions were simple:
IDENTIFY SUBJECT. DELAY ACCESS. REMOVE FROM TERMINAL IF NECESSARY.
Daniel stared at the screen.
“They knew I was coming.”
Commander Brooks looked shocked.
“How?”
Daniel opened the document properties.
The authorization had been issued by an account belonging to the Office of the Mayor.
CHAPTER 15 — THE MAYOR'S CHIEF OF STAFF
Richard Palmer agreed to meet Daniel in his office.
He was in his early fifties, well-dressed, articulate, and visibly irritated.
“Deputy Director, I don't appreciate being treated like a suspect.”
Daniel placed the authorization document on his desk.
“Do you recognize this?”
Palmer glanced at it.
“No.”
“It was issued under an account connected to your office.”
“Anyone could have accessed that account.”
“Who?”
Palmer smiled.
“That's what your investigators are supposed to find out.”
Daniel placed another photograph on the desk.
It showed Palmer meeting Lieutenant Cole.
Palmer's smile disappeared.
“We discuss public safety matters all the time.”
“Did you authorize officers to target people who filed complaints?”
“Absolutely not.”
“Did you know about the hidden database?”
“No.”
Daniel closed the folder.
“Then you'll have no objection to providing your office's communications records.”
Palmer stood.
“I will not allow you to intimidate me.”
Daniel remained seated.
“I'm not intimidating you. I'm giving you an opportunity to cooperate.”
Palmer walked toward the door.
Before leaving, he turned around.
“You think you're the first person to investigate this department?”
Daniel looked up.
“No.”
Palmer's expression hardened.
“Then you should know how the last investigation ended.”
CHAPTER 16 — THE FIRST PUBLIC REVEAL
The story broke the following morning.
A local journalist published an article titled:
WHO IS WATCHING THE PEOPLE WHO COMPLAIN ABOUT POLICE?
The report included excerpts from the recovered database and statements from several former passengers.
Within hours, the story spread across the city.
Commander Brooks called Daniel.
“The department is in chaos.”
“How many officers have contacted you?”
“Thirty-seven.”
“About what?”
“Some say they were ordered to monitor complainants. Others say they refused and were threatened with reassignment.”
Daniel looked at the growing list.
“Keep their identities confidential.”
Then Monica entered.
“Sir, we have a problem.”
“What now?”
“The mayor is holding a press conference.”
The broadcast appeared on the office television.
Mayor William Hartley stood beside Frank Dalton.
He announced that the department would cooperate with all lawful investigations.
Then he accused Daniel's office of conducting an unauthorized campaign that risked damaging public confidence.
Daniel watched silently.
The mayor concluded:
“We will not allow an outside official to destabilize this city through unverified allegations.”