The storage unit contained old property records, photographs, and several boxes of documents he had been instructed to keep outside the department's official archive.
He had never opened most of them.
“Listen,” Hayes said. “I didn't know what was in those boxes.”
“You were paid to know nothing.”
The call ended.
Hayes stared at his phone.
For the first time, he realized that the people who had protected him might also be preparing to sacrifice him.
He opened his contacts and searched for James Carter's number.
He had received it through the federal liaison paperwork.
His finger hovered over the call button.
Then he pressed it.
“Director Carter,” James answered.
Hayes's voice shook.
“I need to tell you something.”
James remained silent.
“About Rourke. About the evidence. About what happened in District Seven.”
“Where are you?”
Hayes looked toward his front window.
“I don't think I can tell you that over the phone.”
James sat forward.
“Then listen carefully. Don't leave your house. Don't contact anyone from the department. We are sending agents to you.”
Hayes whispered one final sentence.
“Director, I think they're going to kill me.”
CHAPTER 9 — THE STORAGE UNIT
The storage facility stood outside Richmond, behind a row of abandoned industrial buildings.
James arrived with Marcus and a small federal team.
Hayes was already there, waiting inside an unmarked vehicle.
He looked exhausted.
“You came,” he said.
“You called,” James replied.
Hayes unlocked the storage unit.
Inside were dozens of cardboard boxes, metal filing cabinets, and several plastic containers.
Marcus examined the labels.
“Unit 714. Property transfers. Seized cash. Incident reports.”
James opened a cabinet.
Inside were original copies of reports that had been altered in the department's digital system.
He pulled out one document.
The signature belonged to Hayes.
Another signature appeared beneath it.
Lieutenant Harris.
A third name appeared repeatedly across the files.
WILLIAM ROURKE.
Hayes rubbed his forehead.
“They told me these were duplicate records. I was supposed to keep them until the system was cleaned.”
James looked at him.
“You never questioned why original records were being hidden?”
“I did. Once.”
“And?”
“Rourke told me I would lose my pension if I kept asking.”
Marcus opened a box and found a small notebook.
Every page contained dates, vehicle numbers, evidence references, and payments.
“This looks like a transaction ledger,” Marcus said.
James examined the final page.
One name had been circled in red.
DISTRICT COMMANDER DANIEL WHITMORE.
Hayes stepped backward.
“No. Whitmore wasn't involved.”
James looked at him.
“Then why is his name here?”
Hayes had no answer.
Suddenly, a metallic bang echoed from the entrance.
Marcus drew his weapon.
“Everyone down!”
A vehicle had just stopped outside.
Its headlights were pointed directly into the storage unit.
CHAPTER 10 — THE AMBUSH
The vehicle's engine continued running.
Marcus positioned himself behind a concrete support column.
James moved Hayes away from the entrance.
“Stay behind me.”
The driver's door opened.
A man stepped out wearing a dark jacket.
He did not approach the unit.
Instead, he placed a small envelope on the pavement.
Then he returned to the vehicle.
“Federal agents!” Marcus shouted. “Stop!”
The vehicle accelerated.