"But there are other things happening."
"What things?"
"The officer may have done this before."
Rebecca became silent.
Walter explained what he had learned at the station.
He told her about Harold Bennett.
He described the other pension recipient.
Rebecca listened carefully.
When he finished, she looked toward the window.
"How many people?"
"We don't know yet."
Rebecca took her father's hand.
"Then they need to find out."
Walter nodded.
He had spent months believing that his pension payment was gone forever.
Now he was discovering that other people might have experienced the same thing.
He felt angry.
But more than that, he felt responsible.
If the reports had been taken seriously earlier, perhaps the situation would have been different.
Perhaps Harold would never have lost his money.
Perhaps Eleanor would never have been frightened.
Perhaps Vance would not have believed he could repeat the same behavior without consequences.
Walter looked at his daughter.
"I don't want anyone else going through this."
Rebecca nodded.
"Then tell them everything."
Walter closed his eyes.
"I will."
BACK AT CENTRAL TRANSIT STATION
The investigation continued late into the evening.
Captain Reynolds had requested additional personnel from the internal investigations division.
The original station had been closed to ordinary foot traffic around the immediate incident area.
Passengers were redirected toward another entrance.
The evidence team was reviewing recordings from multiple cameras.
They were also examining the patrol vehicle's communication records.
Vance had been relieved of his operational duties pending further administrative review.
His service weapon had been secured according to department procedures.
He remained under supervision while the appropriate investigative steps were completed.
He repeatedly requested to speak with his union representative.
His request was documented.
No one attempted to force him into an informal interview.
Reeves returned to the conference area with another folder.
"Captain, we have the preliminary findings from the pension authority."
Reynolds looked up.
"Go ahead."
"All three historical complaints involve pension distributions from the same program."
"Any confirmed missing funds?"
"Two are currently supported by documentation. The third requires additional verification."
"What about the serial numbers?"
"Two packages have complete records. The third has a partial record."
Reynolds examined the documents.
"Can the money be traced?"
"That's what the financial team is checking."
Reynolds looked toward the evidence case.
"And Walter's envelope?"
"Fully accounted for. The original amount is being verified before it is returned."
"Good."
Reeves hesitated.
"There is another issue."
Reynolds looked at him.
"What?"
"The pension authority has identified an unusual pattern involving the distribution dates."
"Explain."
"The incidents occurred on days when pension beneficiaries collected larger cash payments."
Reynolds frowned.
"How would anyone know that?"
"We're checking the access records."
"Who had access?"
"Several administrative employees, banking personnel, and authorized distribution staff."
Reynolds looked toward the window.
The possibility was disturbing.
If someone had been identifying elderly beneficiaries before they collected their money, the problem could extend beyond one officer.
He turned toward Reeves.
"Don't jump to conclusions. We need evidence."
"I agree."
"Get the distribution access logs. Compare the dates, locations, and personnel assignments."
Reeves nodded.
"Already requested."
Then a new investigator entered the room.
Her name was Laura Bennett.
She was a senior financial crimes investigator assigned to the municipal pension review.
She carried a thick folder and a tablet.
"Captain Reynolds?"
He stood.
"Yes."
"My team has completed an initial review of the distribution records."
"What have you found?"
Laura placed the folder on the table.
"We have identified several irregularities that may be connected to the reported incidents."
Reynolds opened the folder.
Laura pointed toward a series of dates.
"These are the days on which the affected beneficiaries collected their pension payments."
She moved her finger down the list.
"These are the dates on which the complaints were filed."
Reynolds examined the information.
Then he looked at the names.
"Where did the beneficiary information originate?"
Laura answered carefully.
"That's still being investigated. But we have identified unauthorized access to a limited number of pension distribution records."
Reeves leaned forward.
"How many?"
"At least eleven records require further examination."
Reynolds looked at her.
"Eleven?"
"Yes."
Laura opened another document.
"Some records were accessed shortly before the pension recipients collected their payments."
Reynolds studied the timestamps.
Then he looked toward Vance.
The officer was sitting several feet away.
He had stopped arguing.
He was staring at the table.
Reynolds returned his attention to Laura.
"Do any of those access records connect directly to Vance?"
"Not yet. We are comparing the access history with his duty assignments."