The document contained a list of payments made over several years.
Each payment was linked to a project code, but the project descriptions were vague.
"These could be legitimate expenses," Marcus said.
"Some of them could be," Elena replied. "But the same supplier appears repeatedly, even when the purchases are completely unrelated."
The forensic analyst enlarged the document.
"There's another problem. Several payment references correspond to invoices that were already marked as canceled."
Marcus looked at Elena.
"How much money are we talking about?"
"At this stage, we can't calculate the full amount. But the transactions identified so far could involve several million dollars."
The analyst opened another folder.
"This one contains employee access records."
A list of names appeared.
Elena scanned it.
Then she stopped.
"Chief, I know this name."
Marcus looked at the screen.
The name belonged to a former administrative commander who had retired two years earlier.
"Why is he here?"
"His signature appears on several procurement approvals."
The analyst continued scrolling.
Another name appeared.
Then another.
Several belonged to people who had worked in senior administrative positions.
Marcus realized that the problem was not limited to one person or one office.
The archive suggested a network of decisions made over many years, with different officials approving different parts of the same transactions.
Some might have knowingly participated.
Others might have signed documents without understanding what they were approving.
The investigation would have to distinguish between the two.
"Make a complete list," Marcus said. "Separate confirmed transactions from suspected irregularities. We need evidence, not assumptions."
Elena nodded.
The analyst looked at another directory.
"There is one more folder."
"What is it called?" Marcus asked.
"COMPLAINTS-RESTRICTED."
Elena leaned closer.
"Open it."
The analyst hesitated.
"Some files may contain protected personnel information."
"Then follow the legal access procedure," Marcus said. "Do not expose private information unnecessarily."
The folder opened.
Inside were records of internal complaints that had never appeared in the department's official case management system.
Several involved allegations of excessive force.
Others concerned evidence handling, unauthorized searches, and retaliation against officers who reported misconduct.
Elena slowly scrolled through the list.
Her face became tense.
"These are the complaints I tried to investigate."
Marcus looked at her.
"How many?"
"At least thirty-seven."
The room fell silent.
Some complaints had been filed by patrol officers. Others came from civilian employees and members of the public.
Many had been marked CLOSED without a corresponding investigative report.
One document contained a note:
TRANSFERRED TO ADMINISTRATIVE REVIEW β NO FURTHER ACTION REQUIRED.
Another stated:
COMPLAINANT ADVISED TO WITHDRAW.
Marcus stared at the screen.
"Preserve every file."
The forensic analyst nodded.
Elena looked at him.
"Chief, this is much bigger than the procurement investigation."
"Yes."
"People were filing complaints, and someone was making sure they disappeared."
Marcus stood.
"Then we need to find out who was responsible."
***
The following morning, Marcus received a call from an officer named Daniel Price.
Price had served in Bellwood for nearly twelve years. He was not a senior commander, but he had a reputation for being reliable and careful.
"Chief Harris, can I speak with you privately?"
"What's the matter, Officer Price?"
"I heard about the archive investigation."
Marcus remained silent.
"I don't know if what I have is relevant, but I think you should see it."
"Come to my office. Bring whatever documents you have, but don't alter anything."
Price arrived twenty minutes later carrying a small envelope.
He placed it on the desk.
"These are copies of messages I received two years ago."
Marcus opened the envelope.
The documents contained internal emails discussing a complaint made by a civilian after an arrest.
The complaint alleged that an officer had used unnecessary force and that the arrest report had been altered afterward.
The emails showed that several supervisors had discussed how to handle the complaint.
One message instructed the recipient to classify it as an administrative misunderstanding.
Another suggested that the complainant should be warned about making false allegations.
Marcus read the final email.
It had been sent from an account belonging to Thomas Reed.
Marcus looked up.
"Why did you keep these?"
Price took a breath.
"Because I didn't agree with what happened."
"Why didn't you report it?"
"I tried. My supervisor told me that I was getting involved in something that wasn't my responsibility."
"Did you know about the Shadow Vault?"
"No. I only knew that certain complaints seemed to disappear."
Marcus put the emails down.
"Did you ever speak to Thomas Reed about them?"
Price hesitated.
"Once. He told me that some people were protected because they had helped the department in the past."
"Who?"
"He didn't give me names."
Marcus made a note.