PART 6
Sarah had looked around nervously.
“Someone the police obey.”
Now Victoria knew the two traffic officers were connected.
But she still didn’t know who was giving the orders.
That changed that evening.
At 8:15 p.m., Victoria sat in a small interview room.
The first inspector sat across from her.
His name was Mark Dalton.
His partner, Eric Cole, was being interviewed in another room.
Victoria placed a recorder on the table.
“Let’s start again.”
Mark rubbed his face.
“I’ve already told you everything.”
“No.”
She pushed a photograph across the table.
It showed Daniel Cross.
Mark stared at it.
Victoria watched his reaction.
“You know him.”
“No.”
“You just looked at his photograph like you recognized him.”
“I’ve seen his picture in the reports.”
“Then you know why I’m here.”
Mark leaned back.
“I didn’t hurt him.”
Victoria’s eyes narrowed.
“I didn’t ask whether you hurt him.”
Mark went silent.
Victoria continued.
“Who did?”
He stared at the table.
“I can’t tell you.”
“Why?”
“Because if I tell you, my family dies.”
Victoria didn’t move.
“Who threatened your family?”
Mark shook his head.
“You don’t understand.”
“Then help me understand.”
He looked toward the one-way mirror.
“There are people above us.”
“Who?”
“I don’t know all their names.”
“But you know one.”
Mark’s breathing became heavier.
Victoria waited.
Finally, he whispered:
“Commissioner Adrian Voss.”
Victoria’s eyes hardened.
Adrian Voss.
The regional police commissioner.
A man known for his spotless career.
Twenty-five years in service.
Dozens of commendations.
A reputation for discipline and integrity.
And now his name had appeared in Victoria’s investigation.
“How long has Voss been ordering you to do this?”
Mark swallowed.
“Two years.”
Victoria leaned forward.
“Two years?”
“At first it was simple.”
“What was simple?”
“People came to us with complaints.”
“And?”
“We made them disappear.”
Victoria stared at him.
“Disappear how?”
“Reports were changed. Evidence went missing. Sometimes people were arrested on false charges.”
Victoria’s hands tightened.
“And Daniel?”
Mark closed his eyes.
“Daniel found the financial records.”
“What financial records?”
“The commissioner was taking money from private contractors.”
Victoria felt her stomach tighten.
“Police contracts?”
“Road construction. Towing companies. Vehicle inspection businesses.”
Mark continued.
“They paid him to make certain companies win contracts.”
“And Daniel found proof?”
“Yes.”
“What happened?”
“Daniel was supposed to be arrested.”
Mark looked at her.
“But he ran.”
“Where?”
“I don’t know.”
Victoria stared at him.
“You’re lying.”
Mark shook his head.
“I swear.”
Victoria leaned back.
“Then why did you follow me today?”
Mark’s eyes filled with fear.
“Because Voss thought you had Daniel’s files.”
Victoria went still.
“What?”
“He believes Daniel gave them to you.”
“I never met Daniel.”
Mark stared at her.
“That’s what we told him.”
Victoria frowned.
“What does that mean?”
Mark lowered his voice.
“Daniel isn’t dead.”
The room became completely silent.
Victoria felt a chill run down her spine.
“Where is he?”
“I don’t know.”
“Mark.”
“I swear.”
He looked terrified.
“But someone has been sending Voss information.”
“Who?”
Mark whispered:
“Sarah Bennett.”
Victoria froze.
“No.”
“She’s been working with him.”
Victoria stood abruptly.
“That’s impossible.”
Mark shook his head.
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