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Chapter 17 - Someone Was Watching Walter

Brooks immediately ordered the warehouse sealed.

Crime scene photographers documented every folder before anything was moved.

Walter continued studying his own photograph.

It showed him standing outside a neighborhood bookstore, completely unaware that someone had been watching.

Emily looked over his shoulder.

"When was this taken?"

"Three weeks ago."

"You never noticed anyone following you?"

Walter shook his head.

"If I had, they were exceptionally good."

Brooks opened another folder.

Each target had detailed notes.

Daily routines.

Favorite restaurants.

Medical appointments.

Church schedules.

Vehicle maintenance records.

Even family visits.

"This goes far beyond crash scams," Brooks murmured.

Walter nodded.

"They built intelligence files."

Emily quietly asked, "But why gather this much information?"

Walter answered without hesitation.

"Because information gives criminals options."

"Extortion."

"Identity theft."

"Financial manipulation."

"Target selection."

The forensic team discovered fingerprints throughout the hidden compartment.

One technician hurried toward Brooks.

"We have something."

"What?"

"Fresh prints."

Walter looked up.

"How fresh?"

"Less than forty-eight hours."

Brooks turned toward the warehouse entrance.

"Then whoever managed this place may have left only yesterday."

Walter looked once more at his own surveillance photograph.

The picture had not been taken by accident.

Someone had deliberately placed him under observation long before yesterday's collision.

Which meant one unsettling possibility.

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The organization had expected Walter to return eventually.

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