Chapter 13 - Mark’s First Interview
Mark entered the interview room believing he could negotiate.
He asked for union representation.
Requested immunity.
Denied knowing about Amanda’s murder.
Keene placed the altered promotion score in front of him.
Then the evidence logs.
Then footage from the warehouse.
Then messages between him and Charles.
BURN THE GIRL’S FILE.
MOVE THE CASE BEFORE AUDIT.
ROSS IS WATCHING.
Mark stopped pretending.
He admitted giving Charles access to department systems.
He admitted moving evidence.
He admitted falsifying reports.
But he insisted he believed the warehouse was part of a confidential corruption investigation.
Keene asked:
“Authorized by whom?”
Mark had no answer.
Ross entered.
“You knew enough to hide it from me.”
Mark looked down.
“My father said you were compromised.”
“He said the same about Amanda.”
That struck him.
Mark had spent his life hearing Charles describe anyone who resisted him as unstable, jealous, weak, or corrupt.
Ella.
Amanda.
Ross.
Helen.
Every person who questioned Charles became the problem.
Mark asked whether cooperation could save him.
Ross replied:
May you like
“It may help the truth. That is all I can promise.”
For the first time, Mark had to decide whether to protect the man who built his career or save what remained of his own conscience.
