"Vance's office?"
"That's what I believe."
"Can you prove it?"
"Not yet."
Elena opened her notebook and pointed to several entries.
"Look at these dates. Every time I tried to request supporting documentation, the system showed that the records had been transferred to an archive."
"Who transferred them?"
"An administrative account called BELL-ARCHIVE-02."
"Is that account still active?"
"I don't know. It disappeared from the access directory after my investigation was closed."
Marcus examined the USB drive.
"What is this?"
"A copy of an old database export. I managed to save it before my access was removed."
"Can we verify its authenticity?"
"Yes. The original file has a timestamp, a transaction reference, and a digital verification record. But we need someone from outside the department to validate it."
Marcus nodded.
"We'll arrange an independent forensic review."
Elena hesitated.
"Chief, there's something I haven't told you."
Marcus put the papers down.
"Go ahead."
"Before I was transferred, I received a phone call from someone who claimed to be working with the city auditor's office. He said he knew about the investigation and wanted to help."
"Did you meet him?"
"Yes. He gave me a name, but I later discovered the identity was false."
"Do you remember the name?"
"Daniel Foster."
Marcus wrote it down.
"What happened?"
"He asked me to provide copies of the financial records. I refused because I couldn't verify who he was. Two days later, my office was searched, and the original files went missing."
Marcus looked at the folder again.
"Did you report the incident?"
"I tried. But the report was never entered into the official system."
Marcus's expression became more serious.
"That means someone may have been trying to obtain the evidence before it reached an independent investigator."
"That's what I think."
He stood and walked toward the window.
Outside, the city lights were beginning to appear.
For years, the people responsible for protecting Bellwood had been working inside a system that rewarded silence and punished anyone who asked difficult questions.
The assault at reception had been shocking.
But it was only the visible part of something much deeper.
Marcus turned back toward Elena.
"I want you to prepare a timeline of every transaction you can verify. Keep the original files untouched. Make a separate working copy, and document every person who handles the evidence."
Elena nodded.
"And the missing archive?"
"We'll find it."
***
At 7:10 p.m., Marcus received a call from Deputy Chief Vance.
"Chief Harris. I hope I'm not interrupting."
"What do you need, Deputy Chief?"
"I wanted to discuss the situation with Officer Reed."
"His suspension remains in effect."
"Of course. But there are concerns among the officers. Some believe you're making an example of him."
"Then they should understand that the investigation will be handled according to procedure."
Vance paused.
"I also heard you have been speaking with Detective Alvarez."
Marcus looked at Elena, who was still organizing the documents.
"Yes. She's assisting with a financial review."
"That is not within her current assignment."
"It is now."
Vance's tone became colder.
"Chief, I would strongly advise against involving her in administrative matters. Her previous investigation was closed for a reason."
"What reason?"
"That is a complicated issue."
"Then explain it to me."
"I think it would be better if we discussed this face-to-face."
Marcus looked at the clock.
"Tomorrow morning. My office. Bring the original closure report and the records supporting that decision."
Vance was silent for a moment.
"Very well."
The call ended.
Elena looked at Marcus.
"He knows."
"He suspects."
"That's almost the same thing."
"Not quite. Suspicion can make people careless."
Marcus placed the phone down.
"From now on, no one works alone on this investigation. Keep copies of your records in a secure location, and tell me immediately if anyone contacts you about the documents."
Elena gathered her folder.
"Understood."
As she reached the door, Marcus spoke again.
"Detective."
She turned.
"You were right to keep those notes."
Elena gave a small nod.
For the first time in years, she walked out of the records office believing that the investigation might actually reach somewhere.
***
The next morning, Bellwood Police Department received an unexpected request from the city administration.
The mayor's office wanted a private briefing with the new chief.
The request arrived through an official channel, but the wording was unusual. It specifically asked Marcus to discuss the recent incident involving Officer Reed and the financial review he had initiated.
Marcus read the message carefully.
The mayor had not been informed of the details of the financial investigation through any formal report.
That meant someone had already spoken to the administration.
At 9:00 a.m., Vance entered Marcus's office carrying a thin folder.