Marcus spent the afternoon following paper trails. He visited the county records office, reviewing every Vision Heights purchase. Property values dropped an average of sixty percent after police incidents began. The developer always closed deals within days of owners giving up.
He called the jail but could not reach Angela. The guards claimed she was unavailable. His anger grew with each dead end and blocked call.
At 4:00 p.m., his phone buzzed with a text from Daniel: Found something. Major deposits to Cayman account after each property cluster sells. Account traced to shell company. Director's name matches Holt's brother-in-law.
Marcus drove to the newspaper office downtown. Daniel's workspace looked like a conspiracy theorist's dream: walls covered with photos, documents, and connecting strings. Three computer monitors displayed financial records and property maps.
"Look at this." Daniel pointed to a complex diagram. "Vision Heights is owned by Crown Properties. Crown is owned by Phoenix Ventures. Phoenix's board includes James Holt, the captain's brother-in-law. Every time they close deals, James deposits exact percentages into this offshore account."
"Can we prove the money goes to Holt?"
"That's our smoking gun." Daniel pulled up bank records. "Monthly transfers from the Cayman account to a local bank. Destination is a numbered account, but look at the signature card."
Marcus studied the document. The account holder's signature matched Holt's.
"Three years of payments," Daniel continued. "Always within days of property closings. Total amount over $2 million."
Marcus photographed everything with his phone. "This is what we needed. But we still need proof he's directing the police harassment."
"Working on that too." Daniel handed him a thumb drive. "An anonymous source sent video clips. Officers discussing property values during raids. Holt meeting with developers in parking garages. It's all circumstantial alone, but combined with the money trail—"
Marcus pocketed the drive. "I need copies of everything. Bank records, property documents, corporate filings, anything linking Holt to Vision Heights."
"Already done." Daniel patted a thick envelope. "Three copies, stored in different locations. If anything happens to either of us, this still comes out."
"What about Angela's case?"
"The financial evidence proves Holt's motive for targeting your street. Mrs. Carter's property is the last piece they need. Once this breaks, the charges against Angela won't stand."
Marcus gathered the documents, his determination hardening into resolve. The pieces were finally coming together. Now they just needed to survive long enough to expose everything.
Marcus carried the thick envelope through the double doors of police headquarters. The Internal Affairs office occupied a quiet corner of the third floor, far from regular department operations. Two investigators looked up from their desks as he entered.
"I'm Marcus Brooks. I have information about Captain Darren Holt."
The senior investigator, Lieutenant Sarah Jenkins, gestured to a chair. Her partner, Detective Mike Torres, closed the office door.
"We've heard rumors about Captain Holt for years," Jenkins said, opening the envelope, "but nothing concrete ever surfaced."
Marcus spread out the bank records and property documents. "This connects Holt directly to Vision Heights Development. They're using police harassment to force property sales. The money trail proves it."