Chapter 6 The Blue File

Adrian carefully closed the last album and stacked it on top of the others.

He gathered the attendance records into a neat pile before sliding them across the table to Evelyn.

"I think that's everything," he said.

Evelyn nodded and began returning the folders to their proper places.

Victor stood quietly beside the table, his eyes lingering on the row of photographs.

Adrian slipped the case file beneath his arm but didn't move.

"One last question."

Both of them looked at him.

"Is there any record that could identify the man in those photographs?"

Evelyn frowned.

"I'm not sure."

She hesitated before adding,

"This is where my authority ends, Detective."

Adrian waited.

"We only maintain Halcyon's archive. If a record like that exists, it isn't something I have access to."

Victor gave a slight nod.

"Our department only keeps company records."

Adrian accepted the answer.

"Thank you."

He reached into his coat pocket, removed one of his contact cards and handed it to Evelyn.

"My direct number."

She looked down at the card.

"If you remember anything... anything at all, don't hesitate to call me. Please."

"I will." Evelyn said with a faint smile.

Adrian gave them both a polite nod and turned towards the door.

"Detective."

He stopped.

Evelyn stared at the floor, gently stroking her chin as she searched her memory . Her brow furrowed.

"I just remembered something."

Adrian turned back.

"What is it?"

She looked up slowly.

"A week ago, Daniel came asking for a file."

Victor looked surprised.

"What file?"

"What file?" Adrian asked.

"He asked me if there was any way he could gain access to something called the Blue File."

Victor frowned.

"What?"

"What the hell did he need that for?"

Adrian turned to look at Victor.

"What's the Blue File?"

"The Blue File is confidential."

"It's a master record maintained by the Annual Community Trust Foundation."

He paused.

"It contains the history of the foundation's major funds, where the money came from, where it was allocated, the approvals, and the organisations connected to those transactions."

Adrian listened without interrupting.

"I told him I couldn't help him." Evelyn said quietly.

"Why not?" Adrian asked.

"Because it wasn't in my power."

She folded her hands together.

"It's not kept here."

Adrian frowned.

"Where is it kept? 

"It's kept by the foundation," Evelyn answered.

Who has access to it?"

"The higher ups. The foundation's senior administrators." Victor answered this time.

"Not even the executive board here can simply ask for it."

Adrian thought for a moment.

"So Daniel never saw the Blue File."

Evelyn lowered her eyes.

"No."

"He wanted to."

"I told him there was nothing I could do."

Adrian lowered his eyes for a moment.

In a few seconds, Daniel's final visit to the archive had become clearer.

He had discovered the stranger in the photographs.

He had searched the attendance records.

When they gave him nothing, he looked for another trail.

That trail had led him to the Blue File.

But unlike the photographs, this door had remained firmly shut.

A week later, Daniel Mercer was dead.

Adrian let out a slow breath.

"How does someone gain access to the Blue File?"

Evelyn looked at Victor before answering.

"I'm afraid I don't know the procedure."

Victor stepped forward.

"Any request has to go through the foundation itself."

He paused.

"They have their own legal department and administrative board. Every request is reviewed before access is granted."

"But not quickly."

Victor's expression turned serious.

"From what I've heard, approval can take several days. And even then, there's no guarantee they'll approve the request."

"Did Daniel ever tell either of you why he wanted it?" Adrian asked.

Evelyn shook her head.

"No."

Victor thought for a moment before answering.

"He never mentioned the foundation to me."

"Did anything about him change during his last week?"

Victor's expression tightened.

"He seemed like himself."

"Never looked scared?"

Victor slowly shook his head.

"No."

"Determined."

Adrian considered that for a moment before nodding.

"I'll begin the process of obtaining the blue file through the proper channels."

"I'll contact the foundation today," Victor said.

"I'll let them know the request is connected to an active homicide investigation."

Adrian nodded but remained where he was.

"One more thing."

Victor nodded.

"Go ahead."

Adrian looked at the row of albums still spread across the table.

"How long has the Annual Community Trust Foundation worked with Halcyon?"

Victor thought for a moment.

"Long before I joined the company."

Adrian looked at Evelyn.

"Has anyone ever questioned its records before Daniel?"

She shook her head.

"Not that I can remember."

"No auditors?"

"Not through the archive."

"Employees?"

"Never."

Victor gave a quiet laugh.

"Most people barely think about the foundation."

Adrian looked at him.

"Why?"

"Because it has always been there."

Victor shrugged.

"People donate. The foundation gives scholarships, sponsors community projects, funds hospitals and schools. It's part of the company's identity."

"It has always been presented as one of Halcyon's proudest achievements," Victor continued.

"The company highlights it in annual reports, public events and shareholder meetings. Whenever people talk about Halcyon's contribution to the community, the foundation is usually the first thing they mention."

He looked towards the shelves lined with decades of company history.

"I've been here for years, Detective. I've heard people praise the foundation countless times."

He gave a small shrug.

"I've never heard anyone question it."

Evelyn nodded in agreement.

"No one has ever had a reason to question it."

"Its reputation had always spoken for itself. The foundation's name appeared beside hospitals, schools and community projects across the city. To most people, it represented generosity, not suspicion."

Adrian glanced back at the photographs.

"Until Daniel?"

Neither of them answered.

Adrian looked once more at the stranger standing at the edge of the photographs.

Daniel hadn't started by questioning the foundation.

He had started with a face.

Somewhere between those photographs and the Blue File, he had discovered something that he shouldn't have known.

Adrian looked at Evelyn.

"Remember what I said. If anything else comes back to you, no matter how small, call me."

"I will."

Adrian gave them both a final nod before walking towards the archive door.

As the archive door closed behind him, Adrian replayed the investigation in his mind.

Every answer Daniel had uncovered had pushed him towards another question.

The photographs had led him to the attendance records.

The attendance records had led him to the Blue File.

Daniel hadn't stopped digging.

He had simply run out of places he could reach.

Adrian pressed the elevator button and waited.

The next move belonged to him.