Chapter 3 - SEPTEMBER 18TH
The court-appointed specialist examined the digital evidence during recess.
An hour later, he returned with preliminary findings. The original records were consistent with the company’s archive backup. Several approval timestamps had been altered, and suspicious transactions had been routed through companies linked to Victor Hail. The message from Thomas Vance appeared to be authentic, though investigators would need further access to the original systems to establish the full chain of responsibility.
The judge recalled Thomas to the stand.
“Mr. Vance, did you have administrator access to the financial system?”
Thomas swallowed. “Yes. But many people did.”
“Did you alter any transaction records?”
“No.”
The judge looked at the specialist’s report. “These records indicate that your account changed the timestamps.”
“I can’t explain that.”
Elena rose from her seat. “Your Honor, may I ask the witness one question?”
The judge considered it, then nodded.
Elena approached the microphone. “Mr. Vance, do you remember Daniel Brooks?”
Thomas’s face went pale. Dante turned sharply toward Elena. The courtroom fell silent.
Thomas licked his lips. “I knew a lot of employees.”
“My brother worked for Hail Logistics. He died in a warehouse fire three years ago.”
“I don’t know anything about that.”
“You sent him a message two days before he died.”
Thomas stared at her.
Elena continued. “You told him that if he gave the original ledger to the authorities, the people responsible would make sure he never spoke again.”
Victor stood abruptly. “Your Honor, this is irrelevant and prejudicial.”
The judge struck his gavel. “Mr. Hail, sit down.”
Elena’s hands trembled, but her voice remained steady. “My brother had discovered that money was being diverted through fake shipping contracts. He tried to report it. Then he died, and the investigation was closed.”
Thomas shook his head. “That’s a lie.”
“Then explain why your message was recovered from his archived account.”
Thomas looked toward Victor. It was only a brief glance, but the entire courtroom saw it. Victor’s expression turned murderous.
The judge leaned forward. “Mr. Vance, answer the question.”
Thomas’s shoulders sagged. “I didn’t kill anyone.”
Elena felt the air leave her lungs. It wasn’t a confession, but it was the first crack in the wall she had spent three years trying to break.
“I didn’t arrange the fire,” Thomas continued. “I only changed the records. Victor told me it was necessary to protect the company.”
Victor shot to his feet. “You’re lying.”
Thomas flinched. Then he said the words that changed everything. “Victor ordered the transfers. He said Moretti would take the fall, and nobody would ever look at the warehouse again.”
The courtroom exploded with voices. The judge called for order and directed the relevant authorities to preserve the evidence and investigate the newly disclosed allegations.
Victor’s attorney leaned toward his client, whispering urgently. Victor ignored him. He was staring at Elena.
May you like
“You have no idea what you’ve done,” he muttered.
Elena met his gaze. “For the first time in three years, I know what happened to my brother.”
