"Did Martin explain why he needed access?"
"He said there was a discrepancy involving several retirement payments."
"Was that discrepancy documented?"
"Not that I can see."
Laura looked toward Reynolds.
"We need to preserve the system logs immediately."
Reynolds nodded.
"Do it."
Meanwhile, Reeves was examining the historical incidents.
He discovered that Martin Cole had been listed as the administrative contact for several pension distributions connected to previous complaints.
The name appeared in multiple records.
But there was no direct evidence yet that he had participated in theft.
It was possible that his access had been legitimate.
It was also possible that someone else had used his credentials.
The investigation needed to distinguish between those possibilities.
Reeves opened the original payment records for Walter Harrison.
He compared them with Harold Bennett's documents.
Then he examined Eleanor Brooks's report.
The same administrative account had accessed each beneficiary's information before the corresponding incident.
That was not proof of criminal involvement.
But it was a pattern that required immediate attention.
Reynolds looked at the screen.
"Could Vance have received information from Cole?"
"We don't know."
"Could they have known the pension recipients were carrying cash?"
"Possibly."
"Then we need communication records."
Reeves nodded.
"That will require the appropriate authorization."
"Coordinate with the investigators and preserve what we can lawfully preserve."
Reeves returned to work.
At that moment, Vance looked up.
"I want to say something."
Reynolds turned toward him.
"What?"
Vance swallowed.
"I don't know anything about Martin Cole."
Reynolds looked at him.
"Nobody has asked you about him yet."
Vance immediately became silent.
Reeves slowly turned his head.
The reaction had been subtle.
But it had not gone unnoticed.
Reynolds looked toward Vance.
"Why did you mention his name?"
Vance shook his head.
"I heard you talking."
"Then you understand that we are investigating the records."
Vance looked down.
"I just want to make it clear that I don't know him."
Reynolds did not respond.
He simply made a note.
The investigation had entered a new stage.
And the next day would bring another unexpected development.
THE FOLLOWING MORNING
Walter Harrison was discharged from the hospital shortly after ten o'clock.
The physician advised him to rest, avoid heavy lifting, and return immediately if he developed dizziness or worsening pain.
Rebecca drove him home.
She helped him into the living room and placed his medication on the kitchen counter.
Walter sat in his favorite chair.
For several minutes, he simply looked around the house.
Everything appeared normal.
The family photographs were still on the shelves.
His wife's favorite flowers were still arranged near the window.
The clock was ticking.
But Walter felt different.
He had spent the previous day being treated like a criminal.
He had lost control of a situation that should never have happened.
And he had discovered that the incident might be part of something much larger.
Rebecca brought him a glass of water.
"Dad, you need to rest."
"I know."
"No phone calls. No worrying about the investigation."
Walter smiled faintly.
"I'll try."
His phone rang.
He looked at the screen.
It was an unfamiliar number.
Rebecca immediately shook her head.
"Don't answer it."
Walter looked at the phone again.
Then he answered.
"Hello?"
A woman's voice responded.
"Mr. Harrison? My name is Laura Bennett. I'm calling from the municipal financial investigations team."
Walter sat up slightly.
"Yes?"
"We are reviewing the pension distribution incidents involving your payment and several other beneficiaries."
"I understand."
"I would like to arrange a formal interview when you feel well enough."
Walter nodded.
"Of course."
"There is also something I need to tell you."
Walter looked toward Rebecca.
"What is it?"
"We have identified a number of irregularities involving access to pension beneficiary information."
Walter became serious.
"Does that mean someone knew when I was collecting my money?"
"We are investigating that possibility."
He looked down at his hands.
"Then someone may have known exactly where I would be."
Laura paused.
"We have not established that yet."
Walter understood.
"All right."
"Mr. Harrison, did anyone contact you before the payment was issued?"
"No."
"Did you receive any unusual messages or telephone calls?"
Walter thought for a moment.
Then he remembered something.
"Actually, yes."
Laura immediately asked:
"What happened?"
"About three days before I collected the pension, someone called me."
"Who?"
"I don't know. They said they were from the pension office."
"What did they ask?"
"They wanted to confirm when I planned to collect the payment."
Laura became silent.
"Did you give them a date?"
Walter hesitated.