One name appeared repeatedly in the metadata of the files: *D.V.*

“Who is D.V.?” Liam asked.

“I don’t know,” I said, my mouse hovering over a transaction record from three weeks ago. “But Ethan sent them four million dollars in cash-equivalent bonds.”

“That’s not consulting,” Liam said. “That’s a payoff.”

“Look at the dates,” I said, pointing to the screen. “Every time Apex got a zoning variance for the north district, a transfer to D&V Holdings happened forty-eight hours prior.”

“The north district is public land,” Liam said. “It required a state senate override to rezone it for commercial use.”

“Exactly,” I said. “And who sponsored that override bill?”

Liam stared at the screen, his face pale under the fluorescent lights.

“Donald Vance,” he said.

“The State Senator,” I said. “He’s the chairman of the public safety committee.”

“The man who controls the state police budget,” Liam whispered.

“And the local county sheriff’s department,” I added, the pieces of the puzzle falling into place with a terrifying click.

“That’s why the officers who came to your house didn’t take your statement,” Liam said. “That’s why they lost the security tapes from the lobby.”