Chapter 8 - THE FIRE THAT WASN'T AN ACCIDENT
The breakthrough came from an old insurance file.
An investigator reviewing the Harbor Row fire discovered that several safety reports had been altered before the warehouse burned.
The changes concerned electrical maintenance and emergency access.
The investigator also found a discrepancy in the building's occupancy records.
Elias had been listed as the only person inside.
But a security log suggested someone else entered shortly before the fire.
Mateo stared at the report.
"Who?"
The investigator hesitated.
"The entry badge belonged to a contractor."
"Name?"
"Victor Hale."
Mateo frowned.
He recognized the name.
Victor had worked for Northbank.
The same company now trying to acquire the conservatory.
Mateo felt his breathing change.
The old sirens returned.
He closed his eyes.
Then remembered Dr. Shah's instructions.
He focused on the room.
The chair beneath him.
The cool surface of the desk.
The sound of rain against the window.
Slowly, the panic eased.
He opened his eyes.
"Find Victor Hale."
The investigator nodded.
"And Mateo?"
"Yes?"
"Let law enforcement handle the questioning."
Mateo looked at him.
For a moment, the old instinct returned.
Control.
Force.
Fear.
Then he nodded.
"You're right."
Two days later, Victor Hale was located.
He agreed to speak with investigators.
His account changed the case.
He admitted entering the warehouse that night.
But he denied starting the fire.
He said he had been sent to retrieve documents from an office.
By Silas Greco.
Mateo stared at the statement.
Then asked:
"What documents?"
The investigator looked grim.
"Records Elias had collected about suspicious freight transactions."
Mateo closed his eyes.
His brother had been trying to expose wrongdoing.
And someone had sent a man to take the evidence.
May you like
The fire might not have been an accident.
But the full truth was still waiting.
