Warren.
He stood beside HS-17 with another officer.
Cole leaned closer.
“That's Sergeant Miller.”
Marcus recognized him too.
Miller had transferred six months earlier.
Warren opened the container.
Inside was a metal case.
He removed it.
The recording continued.
Ranger suddenly appeared at the edge of the frame.
He pulled against his handler's leash.
He was barking toward HS-17.
Warren turned.
He stared directly at the dog.
Marcus felt his stomach drop.
The video continued.
Warren spoke to Miller.
The audio was faint but understandable.
“Get the dog away.”
Miller replied, “He keeps detecting the wall.”
“Then remove him.”
Ranger barked again.
Warren approached.
The screen froze.
Then resumed.
The next image showed Ranger being dragged away.
Marcus stared.
“That was before the official seizure.”
Porter nodded.
“The operation was staged.”
Cole pointed at the screen.
“Look.”
Warren was holding something.
A small black device.
The recorder.
Marcus paused the video.
“That's it.”
The same recorder Daniel had photographed.
The evidence was undeniable.
Then the laptop screen went black.
Porter frowned.
“What happened?”
The power had been cut.
Outside, tires screeched.
Cole ran to the window.
“They're here.”
Marcus grabbed the memory card.
A loud crash came from the front door.
Porter locked the office.
Someone hit the door again.
“Open up!”
Marcus recognized the voice.
Deputy Chief Warren.
Porter whispered, “How did he find us?”
Marcus looked at the memory card.
“Someone told him.”
Cole's face changed.
“No.”
“What?”
Cole slowly shook his head.
“I didn't.”
Marcus looked at him.
“I know.”
Another crash.
The door began to splinter.
Porter opened a rear window.
“Go.”
Marcus hesitated.
“What about you?”
“I'll follow.”
Cole jumped through first.
Marcus followed.
They ran into the darkness.
Behind them, the door broke open.
Warren entered the kitchen.
Marcus looked back once.
He saw Porter standing in the doorway.
She shouted something.
Then the lights disappeared.
They reached the woods.
Cole grabbed Marcus's arm.
“Keep moving.”
They ran until the farmhouse was far behind.
Eventually they stopped beside a creek.
Marcus was breathing hard.
“Where's Porter?”
Cole shook his head.
“She'll find us.”
Marcus looked at the memory card.
“We have the proof.”
Cole stared into the darkness.
“Proof isn't enough.”
“Why?”
“Because the recording can be challenged.”
“How?”
“Chain of custody.”
Marcus understood.
If Warren claimed the memory card had been planted, everything could collapse.
“We need the original recorder.”
Cole nodded.
“And Daniel Reese.”
Marcus looked at him.
“Daniel is alive?”
“I don't know.”
“But you think he is.”
Cole looked away.
“Because someone sent you that photograph.”
Marcus's eyes narrowed.