Malcolm retrieved what the attacker had dropped. A cheap burner phone. Among the scattered papers, he found a torn receipt with partial account numbers. The rest were either shredded or had been scooped up during the fight. I'm calling an ambulance, he said, studying Raphael's shaking hands and pale face.
You might need stitches. They'll kill me, Raphael whispered. Like they tried to kill her. Who? Amy Zhang.
The other clerk who noticed the files. They said she had a stroke at her desk last month. But I saw the bruises when they carried her out. Raphael's eyes were wide with fear. I should have kept quiet.
Should have looked away like everyone else. Malcolm pressed a clean handkerchief against his own bleeding cheek. You did the right thing. We'll get you somewhere safe. He could hear sirens approaching as he dialed 911.
The parking garage felt colder now, the shadows deeper. The corruption ring had just shown exactly how far they would go to protect their secrets. And Malcolm knew with grim certainty that this was only the beginning. Malcolm sat in the emergency room watching Rafael's hands shake as a nurse cleaned the cut on his neck. The fluorescent lights made the clerk's face look even paler than it had in the garage.
Two plainclothes officers stood guard outside called in by Malcolm's supervisor after he reported the attack. Three stitches, the nurse said gently. You're lucky it wasn't deeper. Rafael nodded without speaking. His eyes kept darting to the door.
I can arrange protective custody, Malcolm said quietly. Full federal witness protection if needed. I have a sister in Seattle. Rafael's voice was barely above a whisper. Maybe I could stay with her for a while.
We'll make it happen. Malcolm pulled out his phone grimacing at the movement. His back throbbed where he'd taken that hit. But first, I need your official statement about those records. Rafael took a deep breath.
Okay, I'll do it. Everything I saw, everything I printed, just keep me alive long enough to testify. Malcolm squeezed his shoulder. You have my word. An hour later, Malcolm walked stiffly into Naomi's clinic.
She took one look at his face and pulled him into her office. Sit, she ordered grabbing her first aid kit. That cut needs cleaning. It's not that bad. Shut up and let me work.
She dabbed antiseptic on his cheek. The health inspector just left by the way. Found nothing wrong just like I knew they would. Their intimidation game failed. Malcolm managed a small smile.
Good. We needed a win today. His phone buzzed. A text from Dr. Morris about Titan's follow-up report.
He read it twice, satisfaction warming his chest. "The vet's report is perfect," he told Naomi. "Clear documentation of blunt force trauma consistent with a kick, not defensive action. She even noted Titan's calm behavior during examination despite significant pain. It destroys Barlow's aggressive dog narrative.
And your face helps prove who the real aggressive one is," Naomi muttered, applying a butterfly bandage. Malcolm's phone buzzed again. Unknown number. He answered cautiously. "Is this Agent Vance? " The voice was male, hesitant.
"This is Elias Rowe. I'm an EMT. I was there Saturday at the harbor. " Malcolm sat straighter. "Yes, I remember you. I've been seeing stuff online about what happened.
People saying your dog attacked, saying you got violent first. " Elias paused. "It's all lies. I watched that officer hassle you for no reason. Watched him kick your dog when it was just sitting there. I got it all on video. " Hope surged in Malcolm's chest.
"Would you be willing to make an official statement? " "That's why I'm calling. I couldn't sleep last night thinking about it. I've worked with cops for years, but this was wrong. Pure bullying. And now they're trying to cover it up. " Elias's voice hardened.
"I'll testify. Whatever you need. " "Thank you. " Malcolm meant it deeply. "This matters more than you know. " After arranging to meet Elias the next morning, Malcolm called his FBI supervisor. The older agent listened carefully to the day's developments. "So, we've got falsified city records, witness intimidation, and now assault on a federal officer, his supervisor summarized.
Plus, medical evidence of excessive force and multiple witnesses to the initial incident. That's enough to justify preliminary support. I'll assign two agents to help track those shell companies. What about the body cam footage from responding officers? Working on it.
Should have access by tonight. His supervisor paused. Watch yourself, Malcolm. They're getting desperate if they're willing to jump you in broad daylight. Malcolm spent the next few hours collecting formal statements.
Dr. Morris provided detailed medical documentation. Rafael's testimony was recorded and notarized before he left for Seattle under protection. Elias emailed his phone video showing Titan's calm behavior. For the first time since Saturday, Malcolm felt real momentum.
The pieces were falling into place. Even his bruises hurt less as he drove to Evelyn's house that evening. A folder of sworn statements on the passenger seat. He was halfway up her front walk when his phone exploded with notifications. Breaking news alerts, text messages, voicemails.
Malcolm stopped cold as he read the first headline. Key evidence missing in Harbor police incident. The article quoted police spokesperson Sergeant Donna Creel. Due to technical malfunction, body cam footage from responding officers is unfortunately unavailable. However, Officer Barlow's written report clearly documents an aggressive animal and uncooperative subject.
Malcolm's jaw clenched. Of course, they'd lost the footage. It was the one piece of evidence that could have instantly validated everything. Through Evelyn's window, he could see his mother and sister watching the same news break on TV. Naomi's face was tight with anger.
Evelyn just looked tired, like she'd expected this all along. Malcolm touched the bandage on his cheek, feeling the sting beneath it. They thought destroying evidence would make him back down. They thought wrong. He had witnesses now, medical proof, financial records.
Most importantly, he had the truth. The footage wasn't gone by accident, which meant someone had actively destroyed it. And that desperate act just added another provable crime to their growing list. Malcolm sat rigid on Evelyn's couch, watching the local news twist everything sideways. The TV anchor's concerned expression felt rehearsed as she spoke.