"No. His wife filed a missing-person report two weeks later."
Blake froze.
Carter continued.
"Nobody has seen him since."
Blake looked genuinely frightened.
"Where did you get that information?"
"From his wife."
The room became quiet.
Blake slowly sat down.
"You're going to get yourself killed."
Carter picked up his radio.
"Maybe someone should have been asking these questions earlier."
He walked toward the exit.
Behind him, Blake spoke again.
"Daniel."
Carter stopped.
Blake rarely used his first name.
"Whatever you're planning, don't do it alone."
Carter turned.
"Then help me."
Blake looked down.
For several seconds, he didn't respond.
Finally, he whispered:
"I can't."
Carter nodded slowly.
"Then stay out of my way."
CHAPTER 4 — THE NIGHT CALL
At 9:40 p.m., Carter sat inside his car outside his apartment.
He hadn't gone inside yet.
His phone was resting on the passenger seat.
He stared at the anonymous number that had contacted him three nights earlier.
He had saved the number under one word.
UNKNOWN.
He pressed call.
It rang twice.
Then someone answered.
"Yes?"
Carter lowered his voice.
"It's Carter."
A brief silence followed.
"Officer Carter?"
"Yes."
"What happened?"
"I saw Reynolds today."
"Did he recognize you?"
"I don't think so."
"Did he threaten you?"
Carter looked through the windshield.
"Yes."
The person on the other end sighed.
"Then the investigation is moving faster than we expected."
Carter leaned back.
"Who are you?"
"You don't need to know that yet."
"I think I do."
"Not until we meet."
Carter looked frustrated.
"You contacted me. You sent me photographs. You told me there was corruption inside Blackwood. Now you're telling me I don't need to know who you are?"
"Correct."
"That's not how this works."
The voice became serious.
"Officer Carter, do you remember the name James Miller?"
Carter immediately straightened.
"Yes."
"Do you know what happened to him?"
"No."
"Then listen carefully."
A pause.
"James Miller discovered that inmates were being moved out of Blackwood without appearing in the official transportation records."
Carter's expression changed.
"What?"
"Certain inmates were being transferred through an unauthorized route. Some returned. Some didn't."
Carter looked toward his apartment building.
"Who authorized it?"
"Warden Whitaker."
"How do you know?"
"Because I have the original records."
Carter tightened his grip on the phone.
"Where are you?"
"Tomorrow. Six in the morning. The old bus terminal on Harrison Street."
"How will I recognize you?"
"You won't need to."
The call disconnected.
Carter stared at the phone.
Then he noticed something.
A black SUV was parked across the street.
Its headlights were off.
He looked at it for several seconds.
The engine started.
The SUV slowly pulled away.
Carter immediately reached for his radio.
But he stopped.
He remembered Blake's warning.
He also remembered the missing officer.
Someone was watching him.
And that meant the investigation had already become dangerous.
CHAPTER 5 — THE WARDEN'S OFFICE
The next morning, Warden Whitaker summoned Carter.
The meeting took place at 8:30 a.m.
Whitaker sat behind a large desk.
His office was decorated with awards, certificates, and photographs of official ceremonies.
Carter entered.
"Officer Carter reporting."
Whitaker gestured toward the chair.
"Sit down."
Carter sat.
The warden opened a folder.
"I've been hearing some interesting things about you."
Carter remained silent.
"Apparently, you've been having difficulties with inmate Reynolds."
"He's repeatedly violated facility regulations."
Whitaker nodded.
"Reynolds is a difficult individual."
"Yes, sir."
"But you seem particularly interested in him."
Carter looked directly at the warden.
"I'm interested in maintaining order."
Whitaker smiled.
"Of course."
He closed the folder.
"Let me give you some advice."
Carter waited.
"Not every battle is worth fighting."
"Understood."
"Sometimes the best way to maintain order is to know when to step back."
Carter nodded.