Two agents moved toward the exit, but the driver disappeared onto the access road.
Marcus retrieved the envelope.
Inside was a photograph.
James recognized the location immediately.
It was a federal evidence-storage facility.
On the back was a handwritten message:
THE ORIGINAL LEDGER IS NOT WHERE YOU THINK IT IS.
Hayes stared at the photograph.
“That's the old state records warehouse.”
James turned toward him.
“You know that building?”
Hayes nodded.
“Rourke used to take documents there. He said it was a backup archive.”
Marcus checked the photograph again.
“It's scheduled for demolition next month.”
James's expression hardened.
“Then we have less time than we thought.”
Hayes shook his head.
“Director, you don't understand. Rourke didn't just hide documents there.”
“What else?”
“He kept copies of everything. Including the names of the people who paid him.”
James looked at Marcus.
“Get a preservation order. Nobody touches that building until our team arrives.”
Then he turned back to Hayes.
“And if Rourke knows we're coming?”
Hayes answered quietly.
“He'll burn it down.”
CHAPTER 11 — THE WOMAN WHO KNEW ROURKE
At 6:30 a.m., Marcus received a call from an attorney named Evelyn Price.
She represented a former records clerk who had worked in District Seven.
The woman had requested federal protection.
Her name was Natalie Foster.
She was fifty-two years old and had retired from the department seven years earlier.
When James met her in a secure location, she placed a thick envelope on the table.
“I kept copies,” she said.
James opened it.
Inside were personnel memos, payment records, and internal correspondence.
“Why didn't you come forward earlier?” he asked.
Natalie looked toward the door.
“Because the last person who tried disappeared.”
“Who?”
“An evidence technician named Paul Mercer.”
Marcus checked his notes.
“Mercer was reported as having resigned.”
“He didn't resign,” Natalie said. “He discovered that Rourke was transferring evidence into private storage.”
James studied her.
“Did you see Rourke after his reported death?”
Natalie nodded.
“Last year.”
The room became silent.
“Where?” James asked.
“Outside a diner in Charlottesville. He was with a man from the governor's security detail.”
Marcus exchanged a glance with James.
“Are you certain?”
“I recognized his face. I would recognize it anywhere.”
Natalie pushed another photograph across the table.
It showed Rourke standing beside a younger man.
The younger man wore a state government identification badge.
James read the name.
ADRIAN COLE — OFFICE OF PUBLIC SAFETY OVERSIGHT.
“Who is he?” James asked.
Natalie shook her head.
“I don't know.”
Then she leaned forward.
“But I know what Rourke called him.”
“What?”
“The man who makes investigations disappear.”
CHAPTER 12 — THE OFFICE OF PUBLIC SAFETY
James requested information about Adrian Cole.
The response came back within hours.
Cole was a senior administrative adviser within the state's Office of Public Safety Oversight.
He had no direct operational authority over highway patrol officers.
However, his office reviewed sensitive investigations involving state agencies.
Marcus read the summary.
“Cole has access to internal investigative reports, disciplinary files, and confidential personnel information.”
James looked at the screen.
“Which means he could know what we're investigating before we officially request it.”
Captain Mitchell entered.
“Director, the district commander wants to meet with you.”
“Whitmore?”