Chapter 78 - The Evidence That DisappearedThe missing environmental report became the center of the investigation.
Thomas believed the original document had been deliberately removed from the planning archive.
Helen contacted the agency responsible for the survey.
They confirmed that the report had once contained twelve pages.
Only eleven remained.
The missing page had been referenced in several later documents, but nobody could explain where it had gone.
Michael returned to Dad's workshop and searched through the old cabinets.
Daniel helped him.
For hours, they examined folders, photographs, and handwritten notes.
Then Daniel found a small notebook.
It belonged to Dad.
One entry caught his attention.
The original survey was given to the person who understood the spring better than anyone. If the report disappears, ask the keeper of the old mill.
I looked up.
"The old mill?"
Michael nodded.
"There was an abandoned mill near the eastern road."
Daniel remembered it.
"Your father used to meet someone there."
"Who?"
"An engineer named Arthur."
Thomas searched his records and found an old employee directory.
Arthur Collins had worked on the original geological survey.
He was retired and living in a small town nearby.
We contacted him that afternoon.
At first, he refused to discuss the project.
But when Helen explained the legal dispute, he agreed to meet us.
Arthur was an elderly man with a sharp memory and a serious expression.
He studied Dad's photograph for a long time.
"Robert was a good man," he finally said.
"What happened to the missing page?" I asked.
Arthur looked toward the window.
"I kept it."
My heart jumped.
"Why?"
"Because someone tried to make me change the report."
"Who?"
He hesitated.
"Richard Caldwell."
Arthur explained that the original survey had identified a serious risk.
Excavation near the northern spring could disrupt the underground water system.
Caldwell had offered him money to revise the report.
Arthur refused.
A few weeks later, the original archive copy disappeared.
He had kept a private duplicate because he feared the consequences.
"Do you still have it?" Helen asked.
Arthur nodded.
He opened a locked cabinet and removed a large envelope.
Inside was the missing page.
It contained a clear warning.
The proposed excavation area is unsuitable for large-scale commercial development due to the risk of groundwater disruption and contamination.
Thomas examined it.
"This changes everything."
Helen immediately arranged for the report to be submitted to the planning authority.
But Arthur had one more piece of information.
He produced an old recording.
It contained a conversation between Caldwell and another man.
I recognized the second voice.
Daniel.
Daniel went pale.
"What is this?"
Arthur pressed play.
Caldwell's voice filled the room.
"The old man will sign eventually. If he doesn't, we'll make sure the family has no choice."
Then Daniel's younger voice responded.
"Robert won't agree."
Caldwell laughed.
"Then we'll make him believe he's protecting them."
The recording ended.
Daniel sat down.
I looked at him.
"You knew?"
He covered his face.
"I knew Caldwell was pressuring Dad. I didn't know how far he intended to go."
"Why didn't you tell anyone?"
"Because I was involved. I was afraid of being exposed."
Mom began crying.
Daniel looked at her.
"I am sorry."
For the first time, I didn't feel anger.
I felt disappointment.
The kind that comes when someone finally stops pretending.
The following morning, Helen submitted the recording and the missing survey page.
Caldwell's development application was suspended.
But before we could celebrate, a message arrived from the local police.
They wanted to speak with Daniel.
May you like
A formal investigation had begun.
And this time, he could no longer hide behind apologies.
Related Stories
