Wallace met them in the lobby.
His expression was visibly strained.
"What is this?"
Marcus handed him the document.
"A federal search warrant."
"For what?"
"Records and physical evidence related to the investigation."
Wallace scanned the first page.
"You can't simply search the entire department."
"We're not. The warrant specifies the areas and materials."
Wallace looked up.
"Who authorized this?"
Marcus pointed toward the signature.
"A federal judge."
The chief's jaw tightened.
"You're making a serious mistake."
Emily stepped forward.
"Chief, we're looking for evidence. If there's nothing to hide, this should be straightforward."
Wallace looked at her.
"You seem very confident."
"I am."
He stared at her for several seconds.
Then he stepped aside.
"Fine."
The team entered the building.
The old evidence room was located beneath the main corridor, behind a heavy steel door.
The lock had been replaced several times.
A maintenance worker was called to open it.
When the door finally swung inward, a smell of dust and damp paper drifted into the hallway.
Inside were shelves filled with boxes, old filing cabinets, and several metal storage units.
Some labels were faded.
Others had been removed entirely.
Emily walked slowly between the shelves.
"Look for records from the past three years."
Laura nodded.
"Understood."
The team began searching.
After twenty minutes, one investigator discovered a metal cabinet behind a stack of cardboard boxes.
It had a new lock.
That immediately attracted attention.
A technician examined it.
"Looks recently installed."
Marcus looked at Emily.
"Could be what we're looking for."
The cabinet was opened under the supervision of the evidence team.
Inside were dozens of envelopes.
Each contained photographs, handwritten notes, and copies of original reports.
Emily picked up the first envelope.
It contained a list of vehicles.
She opened the second.
It contained photographs of evidence packages.
The third contained something unexpected.
A series of photographs showing officers standing beside Richard Voss outside a private warehouse.
Among them were Daniel Brooks, Robert Hayes, and Chief Wallace.
Emily looked at the date.
Three months earlier.
Marcus stepped closer.
"That's interesting."
She turned the photograph over.
A handwritten note appeared on the back.
Private meeting. Payment arrangements confirmed.
Marcus's expression hardened.
"Secure everything."
The search continued.
Then an investigator found a small locked drawer beneath the cabinet.
Inside was a notebook.
Its cover was black.
The pages were filled with names, numbers, dates, and short descriptions.
Emily recognized several of the names from the spreadsheet.
But one name appeared repeatedly.
Edward Wallace.
She turned toward Marcus.
"Chief Wallace."
Marcus took the notebook.
He examined the entries.
Some described payments.
Others referred to meetings.
One entry was dated two weeks earlier.
E.W. approved final transfer. Ensure original records are removed before federal request.
Emily felt her stomach tighten.
"He's involved."
Marcus closed the notebook.
"Don't say that until we establish what these entries mean."
But they both knew what they suggested.
The chief was no longer simply the head of a department facing allegations.
He might be part of the operation.
At that moment, a loud voice echoed from the corridor.
"What the hell is going on down here?"
Chief Wallace appeared at the doorway.
He looked at the open cabinet.
Then at the notebook in Marcus's hand.
His face changed.
"Put that down."
Marcus didn't move.
"Chief, step away from the doorway."
Wallace looked toward the investigators.
"That material belongs to this department."
"It is now evidence in a federal investigation."
"You don't understand what you're doing."
Emily stepped forward.
"I think we understand quite well."
Wallace turned toward her.
"You should have stayed out of this."
The words were quiet.
But they carried something unmistakable.
A threat.
Laura immediately moved between them.
"Chief Wallace, I need you to remain where you are."
Wallace looked at her.
Then at Marcus.
For a moment, he appeared to consider leaving.
But two federal agents had already positioned themselves behind him.
Marcus spoke calmly.
"Chief Edward Wallace, we need to ask you some questions."
Wallace's expression hardened.
"About what?"
"Your involvement in the unauthorized transfer of evidence and the payments recorded in this notebook."
Wallace shook his head.
"This is ridiculous."
"Then you'll have no difficulty explaining it."
"I want my attorney."
"That's your right."
Wallace looked toward Emily one final time.
"You have no idea what you've uncovered."
Emily met his gaze.
"Then help us understand."
He said nothing.
Two agents escorted him away.
The room became quiet again.
Emily looked down at the notebook.
There was one final page.
At the bottom, beneath several names, was a handwritten sentence.
The federal investigator must be identified before the next transfer.
She read it twice.
Then she looked at Marcus.
"They knew about me."
Marcus nodded.
"Apparently."
"But how?"
He took the notebook.
"We'll find out."
At 9:16 p.m., the federal team received confirmation that Robert Hayes had been located.
He was at a private residence outside Westbridge.
The address belonged to Richard Voss.
A tactical team was dispatched.
But when agents arrived, the property was empty.
The house was unlocked.
Several rooms had been cleared.
A computer had been destroyed.
A safe in the basement was open.
And on the kitchen counter was a handwritten note.
It contained only six words.
You should have stayed out of this.
Emily read it in silence.
Marcus looked at the note.
"He's running."
"Both of them?"
"Possibly."
"What about Bell?"
Marcus didn't answer immediately.
Then his phone rang.
He listened.
His expression changed.
"Where?"
He listened again.
"Secure the location. We're coming."
He ended the call.
Emily stood.
"What happened?"
"We found Thomas Bell."
Her heart jumped.
"Where?"
"At a motel outside the county."
"Is he alive?"
"Yes."