Chapter 5 - Unearthing the Evidence
Meanwhile, at the shipping yard, Arthur was dripping with sweat. The old mechanics' locker room had been condemned three years ago, scheduled for demolition that never happened. The air inside smelled of mildew and rust.
Arthur checked his watch. 3:30 PM. Shift change was happening. He had exactly ten minutes before the perimeter guards did their rounds.
He moved to the back wall, counting the lockers. Third from the left, beneath the vent. Just like Marcus had said on the tape. Arthur pulled a crowbar from his belt and wedged it against the rotting drywall. With a sickening crunch, the wall cracked open.
Arthur reached his hand into the dark, dusty cavity. His fingers brushed against something hard and plastic. He pulled it out. It was a heavy-duty waterproof lockbox.
Arthur let out a breath he felt he’d been holding for a decade. He cracked the box open. Inside were physical manifests, shipping routes, bribery ledgers, and a digital hard drive. It was everything they needed to put Vance away for life.
“Well, well, well,” a voice echoed from the locker room entrance.
Arthur froze. He turned slowly, the lockbox clutched to his chest. Standing in the doorway was Vance, flanked by two massive security guards. Vance was a tall man with a silver mane of hair and a smile that never reached his dead, calculating eyes.
“I wondered why my most reliable mechanic was snooping around a condemned building,” Vance chuckled, pulling a suppressed pistol from his jacket. “I hear your daughter is back in town, Arthur. Pity. I thought she was smart enough to stay away.”
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“You killed him,” Arthur growled, his fear entirely eclipsed by rage. “You murdered a boy who was like a son to me.”
“He was bad for business,” Vance said dismissively. “Now, hand over the box, Arthur. I’ve already sent a crew to your house to take care of the girl and the bastard child. If you cooperate, I’ll make your death quick.”
