He looked toward the warehouse windows.
Then he approached the entrance.
Before he could reach the door, two federal agents stepped into view.
FEDERAL AGENT: Deputy Chief Lawson. Please stop where you are.
Lawson froze.
RICHARD LAWSON: What's happening?
FEDERAL AGENT: We need you to remain where you are.
RICHARD LAWSON: I own this property.
FEDERAL AGENT: The property is currently subject to a federal evidence preservation order.
Lawson looked through the glass.
He saw Claire standing inside the office.
His expression changed.
RICHARD LAWSON: Agent Bennett.
Claire approached the entrance.
CLAIRE BENNETT: Deputy Chief.
RICHARD LAWSON: I think there's been a misunderstanding.
CLAIRE BENNETT: I don't think so.
RICHARD LAWSON: I came here to collect some personal documents.
CLAIRE BENNETT: These documents?
She held up the financial folder.
Lawson's face tightened.
RICHARD LAWSON: Those are private business records.
CLAIRE BENNETT: They appear to contain evidence connected to missing federal narcotics.
RICHARD LAWSON: I have no knowledge of that.
CLAIRE BENNETT: Then you should have no difficulty explaining why your name appears on the transfer records.
Lawson looked toward the briefcase in his hand.
CLAIRE BENNETT: Put the briefcase on the ground.
RICHARD LAWSON: I would prefer to speak with my attorney.
CLAIRE BENNETT: You are entitled to legal representation.
RICHARD LAWSON: Then I have nothing else to say.
Claire nodded.
CLAIRE BENNETT: That's your choice.
The federal agents secured the briefcase and escorted Lawson away from the entrance.
Inside it, investigators later found a collection of handwritten financial instructions and a list of offshore accounts.
Several entries matched the transactions recovered from Riverstone Logistics.
The evidence against Lawson was becoming overwhelming.
But the person Claire wanted to locate was still missing.
Michael Grant.
At 9:12 p.m., the federal financial team received confirmation that Grant's vehicle had been detected near a private airport outside the city.
His name appeared on a passenger reservation for an international flight scheduled to depart shortly after midnight.
Claire immediately contacted Nathan.
CLAIRE BENNETT: We need to locate Grant.
NATHAN BROOKS: We're tracking his vehicle.
CLAIRE BENNETT: Has the prosecutor's office been notified?
NATHAN BROOKS: Yes. The independent prosecutor has issued the necessary emergency requests.
CLAIRE BENNETT: Good. We need to preserve his electronic records before he leaves.
Nathan checked the latest information.
NATHAN BROOKS: His vehicle has just entered the airport parking area.
Claire picked up her coat.
CLAIRE BENNETT: Let's go.
The journey took approximately twenty-five minutes.
When they arrived, federal investigators had already established contact with airport security.
Grant's vehicle was parked near the private terminal.
His luggage had been placed beside the entrance.
He was standing near the reception desk, speaking to an employee.
Claire approached with Nathan and two federal agents.
CLAIRE BENNETT: Mr. Grant.
Grant turned.
His expression changed immediately.
MICHAEL GRANT: Agent Bennett.
CLAIRE BENNETT: We need to speak with you.
MICHAEL GRANT: I'm about to board a flight.
CLAIRE BENNETT: Your travel plans will have to wait.
MICHAEL GRANT: On what authority?
Claire presented the relevant documentation.
CLAIRE BENNETT: We have an active investigation involving financial transactions, evidence tampering, and possible obstruction of justice.
Grant examined the papers.
His face remained controlled.
MICHAEL GRANT: I assume this concerns North River.
CLAIRE BENNETT: It does.
MICHAEL GRANT: I have no involvement in the department's evidence procedures.
CLAIRE BENNETT: Your signature appears on documents approving the closure of several cases after the corresponding evidence disappeared.
MICHAEL GRANT: Those decisions were made according to the information available at the time.
CLAIRE BENNETT: We also recovered financial records showing payments connected to your family.
Grant looked toward Nathan.
MICHAEL GRANT: I want my attorney.
CLAIRE BENNETT: You can contact your attorney through the appropriate procedure.
MICHAEL GRANT: Then I have nothing to discuss.
Claire nodded.
But before the agents could escort him away, Grant looked directly at her.
MICHAEL GRANT: You should be careful, Agent Bennett.
Claire did not move.
CLAIRE BENNETT: Is that a threat?
MICHAEL GRANT: No. It's advice.
CLAIRE BENNETT: I don't need advice from someone whose name appears in a federal corruption investigation.
Grant's expression hardened.
MICHAEL GRANT: You think you understand what you've uncovered?
CLAIRE BENNETT: I understand the evidence.
MICHAEL GRANT: You have no idea how many people depend on this arrangement.
CLAIRE BENNETT: What arrangement?
Grant looked around.
For a moment, he appeared to consider whether he should continue speaking.