Nia found more letters, each dated and sealed. Instructions, locations, contact numbers. Her father had prepared for every contingency. In one envelope, she found an old key card and building plans for a county training facility.
The footlocker yielded more evidence: photographs of midnight deliveries, recorded conversations on microcassettes, and ledgers tracking payments through shell companies. Her father had documented everything while they systematically destroyed his reputation.
"Some of these records implicate current officials," Tessa said, scanning documents with her phone. "Sheriff Larkin's name appears multiple times. And Councilman Bryce, he's listed as a financial backer of Prairie Shield."
"That explains the coordinated response today," Daniel said. "They're still protecting the operation after all these years. Your father hid evidence that could expose dozens of people in power."
Nia checked her watch. "We need to move. They'll trace us here eventually."
They quickly sorted through the remaining materials, taking only the most crucial evidence. Nia packed the letters and key documents into her bag while Tessa backed up her photos to encrypted cloud storage. Daniel rewrapped the weapon in its oilcloth.
"What about the rest?" Tessa asked, looking at the shelves of remaining files.
"We'll have to come back with a proper team," Daniel said. "Right now, we just need enough proof to force an official investigation."
They carefully closed the unit, replacing the lock. The lot was still empty except for the attendant's car. Everything looked normal, undisturbed.
Daniel drove them back toward the main road, taking a different route than they had arrived. The late afternoon sun cast long shadows across the pavement. They were less than a mile from the storage facility when Nia noticed it in the side mirror: a black SUV pulling out from a side street, matching their speed.
"We've got company," she said quietly, watching the vehicle settle into position behind them.
The black SUV surged forward without warning, ramming into their rear quarter panel with crushing force. Metal screamed against metal as their car spun toward the concrete median. Tessa clutched the evidence bag to her chest while Daniel fought the steering wheel.
"Brace!" Nia shouted, grabbing the headrest as they skidded sideways.
Their vehicle slammed into the median. Airbags burst open, and for a moment everything became noise, powder, and ringing ears. Then Nia heard car doors opening behind them.
"Police! Show your hands!" a voice bellowed.
But something was wrong about the tone. Too aggressive, too eager. Through the cracked side mirror, Nia saw four men approaching with weapons drawn. They wore plain clothes and tactical vests, but no badges or proper identification. Their movements were uncoordinated, nothing like real police procedure.
"Tessa, stay down," Nia ordered.
Daniel shifted painfully beside her, blood seeping from a shallow cut on his upper arm where glass had caught him. "They're not real officers," he whispered. "The approach is all wrong."
The fake officers spread around their damaged car. One aimed directly at Tessa through the rear window. That was another mistake. No legitimate officer would target an unarmed teenager first.