The traffic stop had been entered as an equipment violation.
Not a stolen-records investigation.
The discrepancy required explanation.
Keller had none that matched the available evidence.
Further review uncovered messages suggesting he had been instructed to search Daniel's car for documents.
That was why he pressed for consent.
That was why he called another unit.
That was why he became angry when Daniel requested an explanation.
Daniel had been moving toward a witness who could connect Harlan to the towing operation.
Someone wanted him delayed.
Perhaps frightened.
Perhaps searched.
Perhaps stripped of the documents he was expected to collect.
But the plan failed in a way nobody anticipated.
Keller brought him to central processing.
Briggs discovered the badge.
Briggs assaulted him.
The command alert was triggered.
And the investigation moved into the open sooner than planned.
Three weeks after the traffic stop, Daniel visited the confidential witness again.
This time, with protective arrangements in place.
The man was a former bookkeeper for Riverside Recovery Services.
He had kept copies of invoices and payment records after noticing unusual transactions.
For months, he had been afraid to cooperate.
He feared losing his job.
Then feared retaliation after leaving it.
He had contacted Daniel because he believed someone needed to understand what had been happening.
Now they met in a secure conference room.
The witness was fifty-six, with gray hair, tired eyes, and hands stained from years of working with paper files and carbon copies.
He carried a battered briefcase.
Daniel sat across from him.
His injured hand had healed, though a faint scar remained over one knuckle.
The man looked toward it.
“Did they do that?”
Daniel nodded.
“During the stop and processing.”
The witness shook his head.
“I'm sorry.”
“You didn't do it.”
“I sent you to that place.”
“You were trying to give me evidence.”
The man looked down.
“I thought they'd get to you before I could.”
Daniel leaned forward.
“Did you tell anyone we were meeting?”
“No.”
“Anyone at work?”
“No.”
“Family?”
The man hesitated.
“My wife knew.”
“Anyone else?”
He thought.
Then looked up.
“I called the towing company two days before.”
Daniel's attention sharpened.
“Why?”
“I wanted to ask about my final paycheck.”
“Who answered?”
“A supervisor.”
“Did you mention anything about records?”
The man lowered his gaze.
“I told him I was tired of keeping their secrets.”
Daniel remained quiet.
The witness swallowed.
“That was stupid.”
“Not necessarily. But it may explain how they became concerned.”
The man opened his briefcase.
Inside were two folders.