"Of course."
"Why?"
"Because it was meant for you."
Evelyn's eyes narrowed.
"You wanted me to see the payments."
"I wanted you to understand."
"Understand what?"
"That everyone has a price."
Sarah shook her head.
Evelyn continued.
"And mine is ten million dollars?"
Dalton paused.
"So you saw the final page."
"Yes."
"Then you understand."
"No. I don't."
"Your father refused the money. Sarah refused the money. Judge Harrison eventually refused the money."
"And you think I'll accept it?"
"I think you'll at least consider it."
"Why?"
"Because the money isn't for your silence."
Evelyn frowned.
"Then what is it for?"
Dalton's voice became serious.
"Your cooperation."
Sarah whispered:
"Don't."
Evelyn ignored her.
"Cooperation with what?"
"Something much bigger than the courthouse."
"Explain."
"I can't."
"Then this conversation is over."
"Wait."
Dalton's voice sharpened.
"If you hang up, Melissa Grant dies."
Evelyn froze.
Sarah's eyes widened.
"Where is she?"
Dalton ignored the question.
"Ten million dollars."
"For what?"
"Your testimony."
"Against whom?"
"Everyone."
Evelyn stared into the darkness.
"That doesn't make sense."
"It will."
"Why would you pay me to testify against your own organization?"
"Because I'm not on their side anymore."
Sarah shook her head.
"He's lying."
Evelyn asked:
"Why should I believe you?"
"You shouldn't."
The honesty surprised her.
"You should verify."
"How?"
"Check the third page of the ledger."
Evelyn opened it.
A handwritten notation appeared in the margin.
D-17.
"What's D-17?"
"An evidence locker."
"Where?"
"Second basement."
Evelyn looked at Sarah.
"There's another level?"
Sarah nodded.
Dalton continued.
"Inside D-17 you'll find the original payment records."
"Why are you giving me this?"
"Because someone else has already started destroying them."
"Who?"
"Thomas Avery."
Evelyn's expression hardened.
"What does he want?"
"He wants the ledger destroyed before tomorrow morning."
"Why tomorrow?"
"Because tomorrow is the day the courthouse votes on the new judicial oversight board."
Sarah suddenly looked alarmed.
"That's tomorrow?"
Dalton answered:
"Yes."
Evelyn frowned.
"What does that have to do with me?"
"Everything."
The call ended.
Evelyn stared at the phone.
Sarah whispered:
"Don't go to D-17."
"Why?"
"Because it's a trap."
"Probably."
"Then why are you considering it?"
"Because Melissa is alive."
Sarah looked away.
"You can't save everyone."
"I know."
"But you can't walk into every trap they set."
"I don't plan to."
Evelyn looked at the ledger.
"We need evidence."
Sarah nodded reluctantly.
"And we need to know whether Dalton is telling the truth."
They continued down the tunnel.
The passage eventually opened into an old maintenance chamber.
A steel staircase led downward.
At the bottom was another corridor.
A faded sign read:
LEVEL B-2 — ARCHIVED EVIDENCE
Evelyn stared.
"How many people know this place exists?"
"Very few."
"Who built it?"
"The courthouse was expanded in 1987."
Sarah looked around.
"This section was never listed on public records."
Evelyn touched the wall.
"Then someone designed it to be hidden."
"Yes."
They walked quietly.
Every few feet, they found old evidence lockers.
Most were empty.
Some had been broken open.
Finally, they reached one marked:
D-17
Evelyn entered the number.
The lock opened.
Inside was a metal box.
She lifted it out.
Sarah opened the lid.
Documents filled the box.
Original contracts.
Bank records.
Photographs.
Court orders.
And handwritten payment logs.
Evelyn turned through them.
"Dalton was telling the truth."
Sarah nodded.
"About the records."
Evelyn found another document.
Her expression changed.
"What's wrong?"
She held it up.
"This is from twelve years ago."
Sarah read it.
Her face went pale.
"What?"
"It's a transfer authorization."
"For what?"
"For you."
Evelyn stared.
"What do you mean?"
Sarah read the document again.
"It says someone authorized your relocation."
"Relocation where?"
Sarah looked at the bottom.
"Out of the country."
Evelyn's stomach tightened.
"Who authorized it?"
Sarah pointed to the signature.
Daniel Mercer.
"My father?"
Sarah nodded.
"But why?"
"Maybe he wanted to hide you."
Evelyn shook her head.
"From whom?"
Before Sarah could answer, they heard a metallic sound behind them.
Someone was coming.
Evelyn quickly shut the box.
"Hide."
They moved behind a row of lockers.
Footsteps approached.
A man entered the corridor.
Evelyn recognized him immediately.
Victor Dalton.
He carried a briefcase.
Sarah whispered:
"Why is he here?"
Evelyn shook her head.
Dalton walked toward D-17.
He stopped.
He looked around.
Then he spoke.
"I know you're here."
Silence.
Dalton sighed.
"You have five minutes."
Evelyn stepped out.
"Why?"
Dalton looked relieved.
"Because I need to show you something."
Sarah remained hidden.
Evelyn kept her distance.
"Where is Melissa?"
"Alive."
"Proof."
Dalton opened the briefcase.
He pulled out a tablet.
A video began playing.
Melissa was sitting in a chair.
Her hands were tied.
She looked terrified.
But alive.
Evelyn's jaw tightened.
"Where is she?"
"I can take you to her."
"Why would you?"
"Because I want out."
"Out of what?"
Dalton looked at the evidence box.
"This."
He pointed toward the documents.
"The organization."
"You built it."
"No."
"You've been taking payments."
"Yes."
"You've protected criminals."
"Yes."
"Then why should I care if you want out?"
Dalton looked at her.
"Because I made one mistake."
"What?"
"I helped them find Sarah."
Sarah stepped out of hiding.
Dalton froze.
For a moment, neither spoke.
Then Sarah said:
"You didn't help them find me."
Dalton looked at her.
"They already had you."
Sarah's expression changed.
"What?"
Dalton swallowed.
"You were never missing."
"What are you talking about?"
"You were being protected."
"By whom?"
Dalton looked at Evelyn.
"Your father."
Sarah's face went pale.
"Daniel?"
"Yes."
"Why?"
"Because Avery wanted you dead."