Chapter 9 - THE WAREHOUSE FIRE
The old warehouse stood near the Chicago River.
Its windows were boarded.
Its loading docks rusted.
A faded Brooks Hospitality sign remained above the entrance.
Ethan stood outside with Detective Mitchell.
Eleven years earlier, David Carter had died inside.
Now investigators were reviewing the original fire records.
The official report had blamed electrical failure.
But new evidence raised questions.
Maintenance records were missing.
Security footage had been unavailable.
And several employees had reported seeing an unfamiliar vehicle near the warehouse shortly before the fire.
One former employee, Harold Benson, agreed to speak with investigators.
He had been a night supervisor.
He remembered David arriving late.
He remembered an argument.
And he remembered Daniel Reed's car.
“Daniel was there?” Ethan asked.
Harold nodded.
“Yes.”
“Why?”
Harold looked uncomfortable.
“I don't know.”
“Did you tell the police?”
Harold lowered his eyes.
“I did.”
Ethan stared.
“What happened?”
Harold sighed.
“They said it wasn't relevant.”
The investigation expanded.
Detectives began examining whether evidence had been overlooked or improperly handled.
They also interviewed former employees who had been reluctant to speak.
That evening, Ethan called Mia.
“I have news.”
Her voice tightened.
“About Dad?”
“Yes.”
He explained what investigators had found.
Mia was silent.
Then whispered:
“He didn't just die in a fire.”
Ethan looked toward the warehouse.
“We don't know everything yet.”
May you like
Mia began crying.
“But we're finally asking the right questions.”
