Grant stood.
“Because someone sent it to me.”
“Who?”
“I don't know.”
“You expect me to believe that?”
“I expect you to investigate it.”
Evelyn studied him.
Then she turned toward Agent Carter.
“Take a photograph of every page.”
Grant immediately objected.
“That's state evidence.”
“No,” Evelyn replied. “It's a document you've introduced into a federal investigation.”
“You have no authority to seize it.”
“Then don't leave it on my table.”
Grant reached for the envelope.
Agent Carter moved between them.
“Please leave it where it is.”
Grant stopped.
His eyes hardened.
“You're making a mistake.”
Carter did not move.
Evelyn stood.
“Deputy Commissioner, I have a question.”
Grant looked at her.
“Go ahead.”
“Why would a man who supposedly died eleven years ago suddenly submit a complaint against me eleven days before I arrive here with a federal arrest warrant?”
Grant shrugged.
“Perhaps he learned something.”
“Perhaps.”
She paused.
“Or perhaps someone has been using his identity.”
Grant's expression barely changed.
But his right hand tightened around the edge of the table.
Evelyn noticed.
She continued.
“Did you know Thomas Reed's final case involved missing police evidence?”
No answer.
“Did you know that case involved Chief Whitaker?”
Grant looked toward the chief.
Whitaker had gone pale.
“Did you know the original witness disappeared?”
Grant closed his briefcase.
“I'm finished with this conversation.”
Evelyn nodded.
“That's fine.”
She looked at Agent Carter.
“Preserve the document.”
Then she turned back to Grant.
“But before you leave, there's something you should understand.”
He stopped.
“You came here believing that you could intimidate me with the name of a dead man.”
She moved closer.
“You should have asked yourself why I was investigating his disappearance in the first place.”
Grant stared at her.
For several seconds, neither spoke.
Then the deputy commissioner slowly closed his briefcase.
And he smiled.
“Because, Agent Brooks, you still believe he died.”
Chapter 8 — The Recording from Eleven Years Ago
The room fell silent.
Evelyn did not move.
Grant looked at her as if he had finally found the one thing capable of disturbing her.
“You've spent eleven years believing Thomas Reed died in that warehouse fire,” he said.
Evelyn's voice was quiet.
“The investigation established that he was killed.”
“Did it?”
“The remains were identified.”
“By whom?”
“Medical examination.”
“Based on what?”
Evelyn didn't answer.
Grant leaned forward.
“Based on a dental record, a partial identification, and a report signed by an examiner who retired three months later.”
Agent Carter looked at Evelyn.
“Agent?”
She kept her eyes on Grant.
“Where is he?”
Grant smiled.
“Who?”
“Thomas.”
“I told you. I don't know.”
“Then why are you here?”
“Because I wanted to see your reaction.”
Evelyn stared at him.
Grant continued.
“You see, Raymond Whitaker was never the important person in this operation. Maddox was never important. The missing evidence was never the most important part.”
He tapped the table.
“The important part was making sure you never looked at the right person.”
Evelyn's expression hardened.
“Who?”
Grant leaned closer.
“Someone who has been standing beside you for years.”
Agent Carter moved immediately.
“That's enough.”
Grant ignored him.
“Someone who knew your habits, your procedures, your weaknesses. Someone who could predict where you would look and what you would find.”
Evelyn slowly turned toward Carter.
Carter looked confused.
“Agent Brooks?”
Grant laughed.
“Now you're thinking.”
Evelyn looked back at him.
“Deputy Commissioner, you're under investigation.”
“Not yet.”
“You are in possession of evidence connected to a federal criminal case.”
“Prove it.”
“You have interfered with a witness investigation.”
“Prove it.”
“You have attempted to obstruct a lawful federal inquiry.”
“Prove it.”
Evelyn nodded.
“I will.”
Grant stood.