The radio clicked.
"Stand by."
She lowered it slowly.
David watched her.
For the first time that night, Jessica looked uncertain.
"Who are you?"
David gave her a tired smile.
"Someone who thought he could finally put this behind him."
"Why is my lieutenant asking about you?"
"Because he remembers."
"Remembers what?"
David glanced at the bag.
"Eleven years ago, three people disappeared from this property."
Jessica stared at him.
"Three people?"
"Two maintenance workers and a security supervisor."
"What happened to them?"
"The department said they resigned."
"And you don't believe that?"
David's expression hardened.
"I know they didn't."
Jessica looked at the bag.
"Are you saying you found their bodies?"
David shook his head.
"No."
He paused.
"I'm saying I found something much worse."
THE SECOND VEHICLE
A pair of headlights appeared at the entrance.
Jessica turned.
A dark sedan slowly entered the parking lot.
It moved without flashing emergency lights.
The vehicle stopped near the patrol car.
A man in a dark jacket stepped out.
He was tall, broad-shouldered, and appeared to be in his late forties.
Jessica recognized him immediately.
"Lieutenant Harris?"
The man nodded.
"Officer."
He approached quickly, looking first at Jessica and then at David.
"Mr. Morgan."
David gave a small nod.
"Lieutenant."
Harris glanced at the black bag.
"Is that it?"
David answered quietly.
"Yes."
Harris exhaled.
For a moment, he looked relieved.
Then he noticed Jessica's expression.
"What happened?"
Jessica crossed her arms.
"I stopped him because he was carrying a suspicious bag in a private parking lot."
Harris looked at her.
"Did he threaten you?"
"No."
"Did he attempt to assault you?"
"No."
"Did he refuse a lawful order?"
Jessica hesitated.
"He questioned my authority."
Harris closed his eyes briefly.
"That's not a crime."
"I was investigating a suspicious situation."
"And now I'm here."
Jessica looked frustrated.
"Sir, I don't understand why everyone suddenly seems to know this man."
Harris turned toward her.
"Because eleven years ago, David Morgan was the lead investigator in the Northbridge disappearance case."
Jessica blinked.
"What?"
"Before he left the department."
David looked away.
Harris continued.
"He was responsible for identifying the original evidence that proved the three missing employees hadn't resigned."
Jessica glanced toward the bag.
"Then why is he carrying evidence in a trash bag?"
David answered before Harris could.
"Because the department lost the original evidence."
Jessica looked at him.
"What do you mean?"
David's voice became quieter.
"I mean someone entered the evidence room, removed the original files, altered the chain-of-custody records, and declared the investigation closed."
Harris looked toward the dark SUV.
"David..."
David ignored him.
"Someone wanted those three people forgotten."
Jessica slowly stepped back.
"Why didn't anyone tell us about this?"