"Mr. Sloane, did you understand that the shortened footage might mislead the commission investigating Michael Mercer's injury?"
"Yes."
"Did you knowingly participate in the concealment of relevant evidence?"
Victor stared at the table for a long time.
Finally, he said, "I knew the footage was incomplete. I knew the official report didn't reflect everything I had seen. I approved the edit anyway."
"I don't know whether that meets the legal definition of concealment. But I know it wasn't honest."
Helen ended the interview after another hour.
When Victor left, she contacted the committee's legal advisers and requested a formal review of the new statement.
The evidence was now more substantial, but it also became more complicated.
Victor had admitted approving the edited footage. He had described conversations involving Richard and Paul. Yet he had not established that Richard personally ordered the clock reset, nor had he identified the person who physically entered the override.
The investigation could no longer rely on a simple theory of one man controlling everything.
That evening, Daniel received a message from Helen.
Victor has provided additional information. We are arranging a formal interview with Paul Danner.
Daniel read the message twice.
Paul had been the event supervisor. He had approved Michael's replacement opponent. He had instructed Martin Vale to reset the display. And according to Victor, he had directed the editing team to shorten the disputed sequence.
For six years, Daniel had wanted to confront him.
Sarah found him standing beside the kitchen window.
"What happened?"
Daniel showed her the message.
She read it, then looked up.
"How do you feel?"
"Like I'm waiting for a bell to ring."
"What does that mean?"
Daniel looked toward the old photograph of Michael on the refrigerator.
"It means I keep thinking that once Paul tells us what happened, everything will finally be finished."
"And do you believe that?"
"No."
Sarah stepped closer.
"Then what are you waiting for?"
Perhaps he was waiting for someone to say that Michael had not been forgotten.
"I don't know."
"That's an honest answer."
For once, Daniel allowed himself to accept it.
He could not decide whether Richard's statement was complete or whether Victor's confession was motivated by guilt, fear, or self-preservation.
But he could continue to ask questions.
He could insist that the evidence be preserved.
Nothing the investigation uncovered could change that.
But the investigation could still matter.
It could give the facts back to the people who had been denied them.
And it could ensure that the next young fighter standing in a cage would not have to depend on the courage of people who had already decided that stopping the show was too expensive.
Paul Danner arrived at the review committee's office wearing a dark suit and carrying a briefcase.
He was sixty-one, with silver hair, a narrow face, and the composed expression of a man who had spent decades negotiating difficult situations.
He greeted Helen Brooks politely and took his seat.
"I understand you're reviewing the events surrounding Michael Mercer's bout," he said.
"That's correct."
"And you believe I have relevant information."
"We have several statements that refer to your decisions during the tournament."
Paul opened his briefcase.
"I hope the committee understands that the event was a complex operation involving dozens of staff members. Decisions were made under time pressure, and not every administrative action had the significance people now attribute to it."
"We'll consider the full context. Let's begin with the opponent replacement."
Paul explained that Peter Lawson had withdrawn after reporting an injury. Brent Haskins had been selected as a substitute because he was available and had the appropriate competition credentials.
"Who approved the replacement?" Helen asked.
"I did."
"Did you consult Victor Sloane?"
"Yes."
"Richard Caldwell?"
"I may have discussed the schedule with him."
"Did he approve the replacement?"
"I don't recall."
Helen placed the original schedule on the table.
"There's a note indicating that the replacement required approval from V.S. Who does that refer to?"
"Victor Sloane."
"Did you tell Brent Haskins to fight aggressively?"
"I told him to deliver a competitive performance. That's standard practice."
"Did you tell him to ignore the referee's instructions?"
"Absolutely not."
"Did you instruct Martin Vale to reset the timing display?"
"I don't remember giving that instruction."
Helen showed him the timing logs.
"The system records an override using Victor Sloane's account. Martin Vale states that you instructed him to reset the display."
Paul studied the documents.
"Mr. Vale may have misunderstood the instruction."
"Did the clock malfunction?"
"I believe there was a technical issue."
"The technical contractor states that the system was functioning correctly."
"Then perhaps there was a communication error."