Chapter Sixty Nine

Damian looked at the security chief for a few seconds.

"Was my father's original statement stolen?" Damian asked.

The security chief nodded and said,"It is. The archive inventory attests to its removal prior to the room's clearing. Initially, it was transferred apart, but the final record indicates that it was subsequently kept with the missing ledger."

Emily glanced at Thomas Reed. Everyone's attention now turned to him, as he had been with them throughout the search.

"My name was mentioned in your report on your investigation, as you stated," Emily said. "My father's statement, you said, mentioned Victor and me. Did you realize it had been transferred to this location?"

Thomas nodded. "I wasn't sure what happened to the initial report, but I was aware that your father had been compiling information on Project Eclipse."

Damian's expression became harsh. "Do you really expect us to believe that you are so knowledgeable about the inquiry but have no idea where the most crucial document went?"

Thomas replied, "I'm telling you what I know." "I was told to leave your parents' house that night. When I came back, the office had been forced open, and papers were gone." I've spent years attempting to understand what transpired, but I can't tell you something I never personally witnessed. "

"So why does your name continue to appear in records related to this case?" Ryan asked.

Thomas faced him. "Since I was employed by Emily's parents and in charge of security, anyone wishing to conceal the truth might have used my name or position to give a transfer the appearance of legitimacy."

Once again, Sophia examined the inventory. “Without the authorization of transfer, we won't be able to identify who ordered the transfer of the materials.”

Another sheet was taken from the archive folder and placed on the table by the security boss.

"This is the transfer record that is left," he stated. "Even though the inventory number matches the entry in the ledger and the statement, the original approval is no longer available."

Sophia read the page carefully. "Through a private firm affiliated with Victor Knight's executive office, the transfer was organized."

The record was examined by Damian carefully. "Is it possible to ascertain who handled it?"

“We can't do that from this page alone," Sophia said. "There is a contact mentioned, but we need to verify the individual's identification and decide whether they provided the instructions or simply got them."

She flipped the paper to face the others.

Emily felt her stomach contract as soon as she saw the name.

Thomas Reed.

Thomas received a stern glance from Ryan. It was difficult to make out what Damian was thinking.

Thomas remained silent for a few seconds as he examined the recording.

"I did not authorize this transfer," Thomas stated.

"Then tell us why your name is here," Damian demanded.

Thomas's gaze ascended to him. "I cannot explain a record that I have never seen. But I can tell you this: if Victor organized the transfer, he may have used my name because he knew I had been engaged in your father's investigation."

Damian approached the table. "Or you're giving us yet another convenient explanation."

"We need the truth, Damian, not another accusation we can't substantiate," Emily said softly.

Her face showed less anger as Damian watched her. He remained by her, his shoulder brushing hers, near enough.

Ryan realized it. Emily ignored him as his jaw clenched.

Beside the inventory sheet, Sophia made a note of the transfer. "Before the archive was cleared, the papers were moved together. Both the ledger and the original statement were meant to be removed from official storage by whoever organized this."

"And they knew precisely what was in those materials," Emily remarked.

He looked down at the two recordings.

He said, "Perhaps." "But there's one possibility we haven't thought of."

"What possibility?" "Ryan wondered.

Thomas stopped.

"They might have wanted us to eventually discover this record if someone used my name to transport those papers. The transfer wouldn't have just been about concealing the evidence in that scenario."

Damian's stare intensified. "Do you suppose somebody wanted us to trail them?"

Before we determine what the transfer means, we need to establish who was in command of the destination, according to Thomas.

The company reference at the bottom of the page was tapped by Sophia. "This gives us a starting point. I can look up the company registration and track the location where the documents were sent."

Thomas' name was scrutinized once more by Emily. Although she wanted to believe the man who had finally offered her knowledge about her parents, she couldn't disregard what was right in front of her.

Victor was implicated by the data.

Thomas was indicated by the transfer record.

And the first declaration that may account for both was still absent.

Damian grabbed the page.

He gave Sophia the order to "discover the destination." "None of us can be certain whose story we are hearing until we find out where those papers landed."

Thomas was silent.

Emily pondered for the first time since his return if he was afraid of what the omitted statement contained or what would happen if they eventually read it.