Chapter 11 - The Hidden Files
The interview room remained silent after Officer Miller's final warning.
"You have no idea who you're really investigating."
Those words lingered in Chief Mercer's mind long after the heavy steel door closed behind the disgraced officer.
Internal Affairs immediately began searching Miller's desk, locker, patrol vehicle, and department computer. Every document was photographed. Every hard drive was copied. Every phone call made during the past six months was added to an expanding timeline.
Arthur quietly watched from a chair near the reception area.
Unlike everyone else, he did not appear surprised.
Chief Mercer walked over carrying two thick folders.
"You expected this, didn't you?"
Arthur looked up.
"I expected resistance."
"You already believed more officers were involved."
Arthur folded his hands together.
"When corruption survives for years, it rarely survives alone."
Mercer slowly nodded.
One of the forensic technicians hurried across the station carrying a laptop.
"Chief, we've recovered deleted files from Miller's computer."
Mercer immediately followed him into the evidence room.
On the monitor appeared dozens of incident reports marked CLOSED WITHOUT RESPONSE.
Many involved elderly residents.
Others involved domestic violence complaints.
Several had simply disappeared from the official dispatch system.
Then another folder appeared.
It contained photographs.
Buildings.
Vehicles.
Local business owners.
Apartment complexes.
Each photograph carried handwritten notes beside it.
Some addresses had green check marks.
Others had red circles.
Mercer frowned.
"What are these?"
The technician enlarged one image.
"It looks like surveillance."
Another investigator zoomed in further.
Beneath one photograph was a familiar address.
Arthur Hale.
Silence filled the room.
Someone had been watching Arthur long before he walked into the station.
Mercer immediately ordered patrol units to Arthur's apartment building.
"No chances," he said.
Arthur listened carefully but remained remarkably calm.
"They already know I spoke."
Mercer looked at him.
"You don't sound frightened."
Arthur answered quietly.
"I learned many years ago that truth often attracts dangerous people."
Before anyone could continue, another investigator entered carrying a sealed evidence envelope recovered from Miller's locker.
Inside lay a small key.
Attached to it was a faded storage unit receipt dated almost eight months earlier.
There was no unit number written on the receipt.
May you like
Only one handwritten sentence.
"Do not lose this."
