Chapter 34 - The Locked File
The rescue team quickly searched the room.
Most computer drives had already been removed.
Cabinets stood open.
Documents had been burned.
Whoever abandoned the surveillance room had left only minutes earlier.
Then one rescuer noticed a heavy fireproof filing cabinet still locked in the corner.
"It won't open."
Henry examined it.
"Military lock."
Elias reached into his jacket.
From Jacob's metal box, he removed the old sheriff's badge.
Samuel frowned.
"That won't work."
"It might."
Elias inserted the badge into a narrow slot hidden beneath the handle.
A green light illuminated.
The cabinet unlocked with a sharp click.
Inside rested only one object.
A thick black folder.
Across the cover, in faded block letters, someone had typed:
PROJECT SHORELINE
The rescue team leader slowly opened the folder.
The first page contained dozens of official government seals.
The second page listed millions of dollars transferred through shell companies over nearly thirty years.
The third page contained names.
Many were familiar.
Business owners.
Former officials.
Law enforcement officers.
Then Samuel stopped breathing.
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Near the bottom appeared one name he never expected to see.
Henry Lawson.
