"He wasn't investigating an organization," Eleanor replied quietly. "He was investigating a group of people who believed they owned the law."
Olivia waited.
Eleanor continued.
"Daniel discovered that confidential evidence from criminal investigations was being sold to private security companies. He believed several police officials were involved, but he also suspected that someone inside the federal government was protecting them."
"Did he ever mention Michael Grant?"
Eleanor became silent.
Then she answered.
"Yes."
Olivia gripped the telephone.
"What did he say?"
"He said Michael Grant was a young investigator who had access to information he shouldn't have possessed. Daniel believed Grant was supplying confidential records to Robert Harlan."
Olivia looked toward Walker.
The connection was becoming clearer.
"Your Honor, do you know what happened to Daniel?"
Eleanor's voice trembled.
"I don't know whether he's alive. But I know he didn't abandon his family."
She paused.
"Before he disappeared, he left something with me. Something I have never shown anyone."
"What is it?"
"A recording."
Olivia immediately straightened.
"An audio recording?"
"Yes. Daniel told me that if anything happened to him, I should keep it hidden until I found someone I could trust."
"Can you bring it to us?"
"No."
Olivia frowned.
"Why not?"
"Because I don't know who is listening."
Eleanor lowered her voice.
"Come to my chambers. Bring only someone you trust. And Olivia, don't tell anyone in your office."
The call ended.
At 3:20 p.m., Olivia and Walker arrived at the courthouse.
The building was surrounded by journalists who had gathered after the television broadcast accusing Olivia of corruption.
Several reporters recognized her immediately.
"Ms. Bennett! Is it true you're being investigated?"
"Did you receive money from Victor Kane?"
"Are you going to surrender?"
Olivia continued walking.
A reporter stepped in front of her.
"Ms. Bennett, do you deny the allegations?"
She stopped.
"Yes."
"Can you prove that?"
Olivia looked directly at the cameras.
"I intend to prove something much more important. That there are people using public institutions to protect corruption, intimidate witnesses, and manipulate criminal investigations."
The reporters began shouting questions.
Olivia continued toward the entrance.
"Every allegation against me will be addressed through the proper legal process. But the evidence concerning Project Nightfall will not disappear."
Walker gently guided her inside.
"You shouldn't have said that."
"Why?"
"Because now they'll know we're planning to release something."
Olivia looked at him.
"They already know."
They entered the courthouse and took the private elevator to the judge's chambers.
Eleanor was waiting.
She looked older than she had during their last meeting, but her eyes remained sharp.
"Olivia."
"Your Honor."
Eleanor shook Walker's hand.
"Agent Walker. I've heard good things about your work."
"Thank you, Judge."
She closed the door and activated a small security device.
"Before we begin, I want you both to understand something. Daniel's disappearance was never properly investigated. The people responsible ensured that the case was closed before anyone could examine the evidence."
She walked toward a cabinet and removed a small wooden box.
Inside was an old cassette recorder and several photographs.
"This belonged to my husband."
Olivia examined the recorder.
"Does it still work?"
"I don't know. I haven't played it in years."
Eleanor inserted the cassette.
The machine clicked.
A moment later, a man's voice filled the room.
"October seventeenth. If anyone is listening to this recording, it means something has happened to me."
Olivia looked at Walker.
The recording continued.
"My investigation has uncovered a network operating inside the city police department. The people involved are not simply accepting bribes. They are controlling which evidence survives, which witnesses are believed, and which cases are allowed to reach trial."
There was a pause.
Then Daniel continued.
"Robert Harlan is involved. Victor Kane is financing the operation. But the person coordinating the information is someone named Michael Grant."
Olivia felt a chill.
The recording was twenty years old.
Grant had been involved long before Project Nightfall officially existed.
Daniel's voice continued.
"I have reason to believe they are preparing to use a judicial appointment to gain access to confidential court records. If that happens, every protected witness in the system could become vulnerable."
The recording crackled.
Then came another voice.
A younger Robert Harlan.
"Daniel, you should have accepted the offer."
Daniel responded.
"Which offer? The one where you pay me to forget what I've discovered?"
Harlan laughed.
"You're making a mistake."
"No. The mistake was believing you could hide this forever."
A door slammed.
There was the sound of footsteps.
Then another voice spoke.
It was Michael Grant.
"Where are the documents?"
Daniel answered.
"Somewhere you'll never find them."
Grant's voice became colder.
"You don't understand what you're dealing with."
"I understand perfectly."