CHAPTER 5: THE MESSAGE BEFORE THE FALL
CHAPTER 5: THE MESSAGE BEFORE THE FALL
The restaurant surveillance footage played repeatedly inside the digital forensics lab.
Frame.
Pause.
Zoom.
Repeat.
Technician Ian Mercer focused on the final two minutes before the confrontation.
"Something bothered me," he said.
Detective Hale watched silently.
Ian enlarged the image of David sitting at the table.
"There."
David's phone vibrated.
He glanced at the screen.
His relaxed expression disappeared instantly.
Seconds later, the argument escalated.
"Can we identify the sender?" Hale asked.
"Not from the restaurant cameras."
"But..."
Ian opened another window.
"The restaurant entrance camera captured him arriving."
David had briefly unlocked his phone while walking through the lobby.
The screen reflected faintly against the polished glass door.
Not enough to read the message.
But enough to identify one thing.
The notification came from an encrypted messaging application.
Officer Donovan entered carrying fresh paperwork.
"We've obtained a warrant for the phone."
"If it's still in his possession."
Hale nodded.
"And if it hasn't already been wiped."
At the same time, another officer arrived with unexpected news.
"The financial crimes unit wants to meet."
"They've been investigating shell companies connected to someone named David Vance."
Hale frowned.
"The same David?"
"They're ninety percent sure."
"What began as an assault investigation may now involve fraud."
The detective stared again at the paused video.
Whatever message David received...
May you like
It had changed the course of the evening.
And perhaps much more.
