“Mr Ward?”Ethan suddenly turned upon hearing his name. “Yes.”Daniel examined the audit credential before returning it.The audit reference matched the number Naomi had sent to Daniel’s secure terminal. The photograph, name and government verification seal also confirmed that the man before him was the authorised records examiner he had been instructed to assist.Daniel’s remaining uncertainty concerned Ethan’s appearance, not his credentials. Nothing about the plainly dressed man suggested that a sensitive national investigation was moving around him.“We should not discuss this where everyone can hear us,” Daniel said.He guided Ethan towards a quiet section beside the pharmacy office and placed the preserved inventory file on a counter between them.“Naomi instructed me not to alter the electronic record or inform the administration before you arrived.”“You followed the correct procedure,” Ethan replied. “Tell me exactly what you preserved.”“I preserved the inventory and photogr

Ethan caught his forearm without moving from his position.The difference between them became immediately clear.Sallis struggled to move his arm.Ethan did not appear to use any effort.“Do not touch me again,” Ethan warned.He released Sallis.The procurement director stumbled backwards.Before he could order the security officers to intervene, three people entered the corridor.One of them wore the identification badge of the National Medical Compliance Office. The other two carried credentials belonging to the confidential financial investigation.Naomi had issued the urgent referral as soon as Sallis attempted to remove Ethan and control the delivery acknowledgment.The medical compliance officer presented a sealed notice.“Are you Dr Victor Sallis?”Sallis straightened his coat.“I am the hospital’s Director of Procurement.”“You are required to cooperate with the preservation of all documents connected to the meropenem delivery recorded three months ago.”“My department is alre

Daniel’s fingers remained on the computer mouse.He had expected the false delivery record to lead towards the procurement department. He had not expected the final approval to carry the name of the man who controlled it.DR VICTOR SALLIS.For years, Sallis had supervised hospital contracts, supplier payments and disciplinary proceedings. Daniel had watched him end careers over smaller matters.For a moment, he regretted opening the record.Ethan noticed his hesitation.“Are you certain about what you found?”Daniel forced himself to examine the screen again.“The delivery was approved under Dr Sallis’s authority,” he replied. “But that does not prove he personally entered it. Someone with access to his department could have used his credentials.”“Good.”Daniel looked at him in surprise.“Did you just say good?”“You understand the difference between evidence and assumption,” Ethan said. “We follow what the record proves.”Across the corridor, Sallis sat before the compliance officer

Back at the hospital, Kellan began returning towards the paediatric ward.Ethan stopped him gently.“Mr Bell.”Kellan turned. “I need to be with my daughter.”“I understand. I will not keep you long.”“What do you need?”“You said a private supplier offered to sell you the meropenem.”Kellan’s expression became guarded.“My daughter has received the medicine. Why are you still asking me about another pharmacy?”“Because its quotation may help us discover what happened to the hospital’s stock.”Kellan gave a tired laugh.“Everyone keeps talking about records while my daughter is fighting for her life.”“You are right,” Ethan said.The agreement surprised him.Ethan continued.“The documents will not change what Nia is experiencing. But they may prove that someone created the shortage deliberately. If that happened, another family could face the same danger.”“You will not involve my wife in another interrogation?”“No.”“And this will not interfere with Nia’s treatment?”“No.”After se

The surviving attacker pushed the photograph away before the investigator finished speaking. His wrists rested on the interview table, and the scars near one knuckle were still healing. “I told you what happened on that road,” he said. “I don't know the man who hired us.”“You know the man who paid you,” the investigator replied. He placed a second photograph beside the first. “You identified him during your earlier interview, but you never explained how he gave you the instructions.”The attacker stared at the man's face. “He met us at a rented office. No names, no questions. He said the target would be carrying a verification tablet, and that we had to recover it.”“Who gave him the target's route?” the investigator asked. He kept his voice even, although the man opposite him had helped arrange an ambush. “A seven-man team doesn't appear on an inspection road by accident.”“He said somebody at VerdaLife was helping,” the attacker answered. His eyes flickered toward the recording cam