Then looked toward Voss.

“Deputy, we need to discuss why you were interested in Ms. Brooks’s case materials.”

Voss’s face changed.

For the first time, he seemed to understand that the investigation he had tried to interrupt was already underway.

Chapter 9: Why Lena Arrived at Exactly the Right Moment

The deputies believed someone had summoned the GBI after Camille was detained.

But the truth was more complicated.

Lena’s team had already been scheduled to meet Camille.

When she failed to arrive at the agreed time, Lena contacted her office.

Camille’s assistant said she had left for the garage more than twenty minutes earlier.

Her phone was no longer answering.

That concerned Lena.

The ongoing investigation involved possible misconduct by officials with access to confidential information.

The GBI team had been warned that witnesses and investigators might face intimidation.

Lena contacted Marion Price.

The district attorney immediately agreed to accompany her to the garage.

They were not responding to a random emergency call.

They were arriving for a scheduled evidence transfer that had suddenly become suspicious.

Camille had not known they would bring additional personnel.

But she had trusted the appointment.

Now Lena looked toward the scattered files.

“Camille, did they ask about the procurement investigation?”

Camille shook her head.

“Not directly.”

“What did they ask?”

“They wanted to know what was in my briefcase.”

Lena nodded.

“And they took your phone?”

“Yes.”

Lena turned toward Mercer.

“Where is it?”

He hesitated.

Then handed it over through the supervising officer.

The device was documented and preserved for review.

Camille looked toward the three deputies.

She had suspected that someone was trying to interfere with the case.

Now she had reason to believe the attempt had reached the people responsible for protecting the justice complex.

Chapter 10: The Folder Beneath the Lexus

The folder near the rear tire had become damp.

A thin ribbon of oil had spread across its lower edge.

Lena photographed the scene before the documents were collected.

The papers were placed into appropriate evidence packaging and documented.

One page had been partially folded beneath the tire.

Its heading remained visible.

Witness Statement — Evelyn Parker

Lena looked toward Camille.

“Was this part of the scheduled transfer?”

Camille nodded.

“Working copies.”

“Are the originals secure?”

“Yes.”

Lena exhaled.