CHAPTER 3: June Brings a Photograph

June Mercer arrived for visitation with mascara under one eye and a brown envelope hugged to her chest.
Caleb saw the envelope before he saw the fear. His younger sister had always been bad at hiding hope. It made her brave in courtrooms and dangerous around people who preferred despair organized neatly.
He sat across from her behind the scratched glass. The phone felt sticky in his hand.
"You look terrible," she said.
"Prison food has a strong skincare program."
She almost smiled, then saw the faint stain near his hairline where the rice had been scrubbed away. "They told me there was a fight."
"There was a mistake. It hit the floor."
"Caleb."
He softened. "I'm okay."
June opened the envelope just enough for him to see the corner of a photograph. "I found the parking lot image. The one the prosecutor said never existed."
Caleb's breath changed.
Three years earlier, Travis Holt had died outside a downtown bar after a charity event turned into a shouting match. Travis was the governor's favorite donor's son, loud, drunk, and used to doors opening before he touched them. The state said Caleb struck him after midnight. Caleb said he left Travis alive on the curb at 11:42.
A camera across the street could have proved it.
That camera had gone missing.
"Where did you get it?" Caleb asked.
"An insurance server. The building changed owners. The old files were archived under fire claims." June's fingers trembled. "It shows you leaving. Travis is sitting up. Another car pulls in six minutes later."
"Whose car?"
"The plate is blurred, but there is a sticker on the rear window. Falcon Security."
Caleb closed his eyes.
Falcon Security handled transport contracts for Copper Ridge. Falcon Security also employed half the retired police in the county. During trial, the company had provided a witness who swore Caleb bragged about knocking Travis down.
"June, listen to me. Do not take that envelope home."
"I already made copies."
"That is not enough."
A guard tapped the window. One minute.
Behind June, in the visitor waiting area, a man in a gray suit stood from a chair.
Caleb had seen him once before.
At trial.
Beside the prosecutor.