Page 96 of Dead Air
Claire inserted one of the USB drives into her laptop. "This appears to be Monica's personal case file. Notes on her investigation. Observations about department personnel she suspected were involved."
Lawson leaned over to view the screen. Monica's meticulous documentation methodology appeared in detailed spreadsheets and carefully structured reports. The organizational style Lawson had admired during their partnership now revealed as Bureau-trained investigative technique rather than personal habit.
"She documented Richardson's unusual behavior in the weeks before her death," Claire said, scrolling through a text document. "Noted that he seemed increasingly concerned about her timeline. Questioned whether he might be compromised."
"She suspected him?"
"Not of working against the operation. She worried he might be under pressure from someone in the Bureau to slow the investigation." Claire continued reading. "She references 'D' several times. Must be Drummond."
Lawson opened another folder, this one labeled "DEPARTMENT CORRUPTION - ACTIVE." Inside were detailed files on individual officers, including financial records and surveillance photos. She flipped through several beforestopping at a thick subfolder labeled "HUTCHINSON, RAY - NARCOTICS."
"Claire, look at this." She spread the contents across the table.
The file contained Ray Hutchinson's legitimate investigation into evidence tampering. Meticulous documentation of drugs that disappeared from evidence lockup. Financial records showing mysterious cash deposits into officers' accounts. Witness statements about pressure to alter testimony. Everything organized with the same methodical approach Monica had used.
"Ray was investigating the same corruption network," Claire said, scanning the documents. "Not participating in it."
"He was building a case against evidence tampering in Narcotics. Had been for months." Lawson found a handwritten note in Monica's writing:Ray discovered the warehouse storage operation. Plans to go to Internal Affairs next week. Needs protection.
"Monica was trying to protect him," Claire realized.
Lawson continued through Ray's file, finding recordings of conversations with witnesses, photos of evidence lockers, financial analysis of the money trail. "He was clean. Just like Bram Kowalski. Another honest cop who got too close to the truth."
At the bottom of the folder lay a sealed envelope marked "URGENT - CHIEF WALLACE." Inside, Lawson found a handwritten memo from Drummond to Wallace dated three days after the podcast interview revealed Ray's "relationship" with Monica.
Hutchinson interview compromised operational security. Subject has documentation linking warehouse storage to evidence tampering. Recommend immediate containment. Suicide scenario provides closure for Landry case whileeliminating threat. Your authority to execute and control scene investigation.
"Drummond ordered Ray's death," Lawson said, her voice hollow. "Gave Wallace the blueprint to stage it as suicide."
Claire read the memo over her shoulder. "And Wallace had the authority to ensure the investigation would be superficial."
They found more documents detailing the plan. Wallace's access to Ray's apartment. Instructions for staging the scene. Even contingency plans if the initial investigation revealed inconsistencies.
"The fake confession note served dual purposes," Lawson said. "Closed Monica's case while eliminating another threat to their operation."
Lawson connected the portable hard drive to Claire's laptop. Password protection appeared on screen. She entered Monica's badge number as Richardson had instructed. The drive unlocked, revealing hundreds of audio files organized by date.
"Richardson recorded everything," Lawson said, scanning the files. "Every conversation with the Bureau. Every meeting with Monica. Every interaction with Byrd after Monica's death."
She selected a file dated three days before Monica died. Richardson's voice emerged from the laptop speakers.
"The asset is moving too quickly. Timeline compression threatens operational security."
Another voice responded. Deeper. East Coast accent. "How much does she have?"
"Enough to connect Byrd directly to Hutchinson. Financial records. Meeting documentation. Witness statements from court personnel."
"That's not sufficient for full network exposure. We need the entire organization, not just two principals."
"She's planning to take everything to the federal prosecutor next week. Says she can't wait any longer."
A pause on the recording. "Contain the situation, Tom. By any means necessary."
"Charles, are you authorizing what I think you are?"
"I'm authorizing operational security measures appropriate to the threat level. How you implement those measures remains at your discretion as field handler."
"That's Bureau double-talk, and you know it."
