The Anonymous Complaint

After their quarrel, Rhys and Anya were silent for two painful days, a gap of unspoken accusations and uncertainty. Rhys struggled with his rage and the reality that Anya was still his only connection to the truth, no matter how frustrated he was. Anya struggled with remorse about her harsh remarks and the horrifying knowledge that it was far riskier to operate without coordination. Their adversary was still moving covertly, and they were alone and adrift.

The recording from the hangar was then sent. A silent notification startled Rhys, who grimly focused on decrypting the audio/video transmission. Unquestionably incriminating, the audio was scratchy and overlaid with hangar echoes when it was collected by fiber optic through bored brickwork. He overheard the fixer, a man only known as "Silas," conversing with Vance's chief of security, Martin Thorne (who has no relation to Elias; the common name just adds comedic confusion), the very contact Rhys had controversially advised utilizing.

"The ghost problem has been resolved," Thorne said in a smugly satisfied tone. The redesign of OmniCorp Plaza can start as soon as the insurance is approved. It's unfortunate collateral with the guard, but it's essential to the story. HV personally signed off.

"Confirmed payment?" The gravelly voice of Silas answered.

Thorne said, "Half now, half when the Ghost is confirmed neutralized." "Vance desires his removal. Indefinitely. The bow is tied with this bombing frame.

Confirmation of the frame-up, Vance's consent ("HV signed off"), the fixer's involvement, and the chilly dismissal of the injured guard as "collateral" were all damning, even though it wasn't a confession in court. Urgency and frigid triumph surged through Rhys. Leverage was this. They needed a weapon like this.

Rhys swallowed his pride and realized how important her point of view was, so he packed the recording, encrypted it, and sent it through their secure channel. Without expressing regret, his message was succinct and subtly offered a truce: "Hangar recording attached." Analysis is required. urgent.

Anya felt a rush of exhilaration upon receiving the file, which soon vanquished the shadow of their altercation. Under the pretense of going over old case files, she shut herself in a precinct interview room and listened, her blood freezing. Everything she had assumed and everything she had risked her career for was confirmed when she heard Thorne's casual acceptance of the frame-up, his callous contempt for Bellweather, and his direct reference to Vance.

The seriousness of the proof put the past hostility on hold, and she got in touch with Rhys right away.

[Anya]: Acquired. Voices are sufficiently clear for a voice analysis specialist to identify them, although Thorne or Silas may obscure context. The fact that "HV signed off" is significant, but it is circumstantial and has nothing to do with Vance actually ordering the attack. It's strong, Rhys, but a skilled attorney may cast doubt on it.

[Rhys]: Does Vance have enough doubt to walk?

[Anya]: Maybe. especially if he says Thorne went over his authority and acted alone. We require more. Not just the cover-up or silencing you, but something that links Vance directly to the bombing or the materials.

[Rhys]: I agree. However, this demonstrates that Vance is the architect. and attests to Silas' participation. Perhaps your intuition about him was correct.

It was the closest he got to admitting their disagreement, a small compromise that helped to defuse the situation. Over the course of the following hour, they exchanged messages, examined the recording, and spoke about possible next measures, such as how to safely leak the recording and locate the last piece of indisputable evidence. Motivated by the common objective, a working, if cautious, alliance reestablished itself.

Their adversary, however, wasn't idle. Harrison Vance was thorough, used to dictating stories and removing danger. Rhys had gotten away with it too easily, had predicted moves too well. The 'Ghost' appeared to have accurate information about Bellweather and OmniCorp's internal network, and the tracker's failure suggested not only talent but also inside assistance. Anomalies would undoubtedly be flagged by Vance's internal security staff, who would probably compare Rhys's known activities with police task force members and recent system access logs. Additionally, Anya Petrova, the cop who witnessed Rhys's near-capture at Thorne Tower and who is currently a member of the task team, would be considered a prime suspect due to her odd interest in particular data points.

When it did occur, the counterattack was subtle and took advantage of the system Anya was a part of. Anya was called into Deputy Chief Harris's office two days after Rhys sent the hangar recording. Marcus was also present, but he avoided her eyes and appeared uneasy.

"Petrova," Harris said in a formal, icy tone. "Internal Affairs has received an anonymous complaint. Regarding your off-books investigations, it accuses you of procedural misconduct, unlawful database access, and possible connection to known criminal elements. A file was slid across the desk by him. "With particular reference to your recent OmniCorp system queries, Henderson evidence log irregularities, and unsubstantiated contact with unregistered informants."

The floor slipped out from under Anya. anonymous grievance. wrongdoing in the process. Vance was the one. He was polluting the well in an attempt to discredit her and negate her access because he couldn't directly expose her without exposing his own reach.

Trying to maintain her composure, Anya stumbled, "Sir, these accusations are baseless." "My actions were intended to follow up on genuine leads."

Harris abruptly interrupted, saying, "Legitimate leads pursued outside standard protocol, without authorization, and potentially compromising an active investigation." "You are put on administrative leave with immediate effect while an IA investigation is conducted in its entirety. You will turn in your weapon, badge, and all of your login information. He nodded to Marcus and said, "Officer Jones will escort you."

Anya gazed first at Harris and then at Marcus, whose troubled eyes, tinged with a mixture of obligation and sadness, eventually met hers. administrative leave. IA inquiry. They denied her entrance. She was essentially neutralized and sidelined. Vance's maneuver was ruthlessly effective.

Anya experienced a horrifying clarity as Marcus clumsily led her out of the building while depriving her of the markers of who she was. Just as they had discovered important information, the net had not only tightened but was deliberately severing her relationship with Rhys and severing his lifeline.

Rhys soon found out about it. It had become a survival need to keep an eye on task force communications and encrypted police channels. He heard rumors that Officer Petrova had been put on leave due to "procedural misconduct," which was the reason given by the IA inquiry. He understood immediately what it meant and didn't require any further explanation. Vance had a strong suspicion—or knowledge—of her. She was being taken off the board by him.