The records connected Donovan Development Group to three other companies.
One of them had a registered address in another state.
Another appeared to exist only on paper.
The third had received government contracts worth millions despite having almost no employees.
Victoria turned another page.
There was a list of names.
Some belonged to local officials.
Others belonged to state administrators.
And several were connected to federal offices.
"Why didn't you take this directly to the authorities?" she asked.
David gave a tired laugh.
"I did."
"When?"
"Eighteen months ago. I sent copies to an inspector general's office. Two weeks later, my apartment was broken into. A week after that, someone followed Emily."
He looked down.
"I realized that the people receiving my complaints were connected to the people I was reporting."
Victoria closed the folder.
"That's why you disappeared."
"Yes."
"Did Michael help you?"
David looked toward his brother.
"Michael was the only person I could trust."
Michael lowered his head.
"I should have told Emily the truth."
David shook his head.
"You kept her alive. That's what mattered."
Victoria looked at Sarah.
"We need to secure all these materials immediately."
Sarah nodded.
"I'll arrange a separate evidence team. Nobody from Harlan's office will be involved."
"Good. And we need to bring Emily here."
David looked up.
"Is she coming?"
"Tomorrow morning."
He closed his eyes.
For the first time in eighteen months, he allowed himself to believe that he might see his daughter again.
But the moment of relief did not last.
Victoria's secure telephone began vibrating.
An incoming message appeared.
The sender was Richard Harlan.
Director Bennett, I understand you've recovered a missing witness. Please call me immediately.
Victoria stared at the screen.
Sarah read the message.
"How does he know?"
Victoria looked at David.
He had already warned them.
Someone was watching.
The next morning, the federal office was unusually quiet.
Victoria had instructed her team not to discuss the investigation through ordinary communication channels. All documents recovered from Michael's property were being copied, photographed, and placed into separate evidence repositories.
David Carter was moved to a protected location.
Michael accompanied him.
Emily was scheduled to arrive shortly after nine.
Victoria stood in her office, examining the financial records, when Sarah entered.
"We have a problem."
"What happened?"
"Someone accessed the electronic evidence inventory last night."
Victoria turned.
"Which inventory?"
"The one containing the materials recovered from the old evidence room."
"Who accessed it?"
Sarah placed a printed report on the desk.
"The login belongs to an administrator assigned to Deputy Director Harlan's office."
Victoria stared at the report.
"Can you confirm whether the person actually used the account?"
"We're checking the access logs. But there's something else."
Sarah placed another document beside it.
"This is a message sent to Sheriff Whitmore yesterday evening."
Victoria read the contents.
It was short.
The federal team has recovered Carter. Proceed with the contingency plan.
There was no signature.
No identifying information.
But the transmission had originated from an encrypted account associated with Donovan Development Group.
Victoria leaned back.
"Whitmore received this?"
"Yes."
"Did he respond?"
Sarah nodded.
"He replied with one sentence."
Victoria looked at her.
"What sentence?"
Sarah turned the page.
I need more time.
Victoria slowly exhaled.
The sheriff was no longer simply being investigated.
He was communicating with someone who knew the missing witness had been found.
And whatever contingency plan they had discussed might already be underway.
"Where is Whitmore now?" Victoria asked.
"At the county courthouse. His attorney requested a meeting with the prosecutor."
Victoria considered the situation.
"He's trying to negotiate."
"Possibly."
"Or he's trying to buy time."
Sarah nodded.
"That's what I think."
Victoria picked up her telephone.
"Get me Prosecutor Helen Carter. We need to discuss an emergency preservation order."
At the county courthouse, Sheriff Daniel Whitmore sat in a private conference room with Richard Lawson.
The sheriff looked considerably older than he had the previous day.
His eyes were bloodshot, and his hands trembled whenever he reached for his coffee.
Lawson placed a legal document on the table.
"Don't sign anything until we review it."
Whitmore barely glanced at the paper.
"What is it?"
"The prosecutor has requested a temporary suspension of your administrative access to certain department records."
Whitmore laughed weakly.
"They can't do that."
"They can request it."
"I'm the elected sheriff."
"And that doesn't place you above the law."
Whitmore looked toward the window.
"They found David Carter."
Lawson nodded.
"I heard."
"Then everything is over."
"Not necessarily."
Whitmore turned.
"What do you mean?"