The storage facility stood outside Oakridge, surrounded by chain-link fencing and rows of low metal buildings.
It was not the kind of place Marcus expected to hold answers about his father's death.
There were no secret passages or dramatic underground rooms.
Just numbered storage units, a security office, and a manager who insisted on checking the documents carefully before allowing anyone inside.
Rebecca had obtained the appropriate authorization and arranged for the contents to be documented by an independent evidence specialist.
Angela accompanied her.
Harris remained outside the active evidence collection area, observing only where permitted.
Marcus had been allowed to travel with his mother, but he waited in the office with a volunteer family advocate while the adults handled the records.
He sat near a vending machine, holding David's letter.
An hour passed.
Then another.
Finally, Angela returned.
Her eyes were red.
"Did they find it?" Marcus asked.
She nodded.
"They found the locker."
"Was the key right?"
"Yes."
Inside were several sealed folders, a notebook, and a small metal case.
The folders contained copies of maintenance logs, photographs of damaged freight containers, and correspondence between David and company supervisors.
One document showed that the warehouse ventilation system had repeatedly failed inspection.
Another recorded David's written warning that workers were being exposed to dangerous conditions.
The final warning was dated two days before the fire.
It had been received and signed by Richard Cole's operations director.
Marcus listened as Angela explained.
"Does that mean Dad was right?"
"It means he reported serious safety concerns. The investigators still need to determine exactly what happened."
Rebecca entered a few minutes later.
She showed Marcus one photograph that had been cleared for the family to view.
David stood beside two coworkers, wearing protective gloves and pointing toward a damaged container.
He wasn't smiling.
He looked exhausted and worried.
Marcus studied his father's face.
For the first time, he saw him as a working man rather than the laughing father in family pictures.
Rebecca explained that the evidence was being preserved for independent examination.
Some records appeared to contradict the company's explanation for the fire.
But more would be needed before any official finding could change.
Angela nodded.
She had waited twelve years.
She could wait a little longer if it meant the investigation would finally be done properly.
As they prepared to leave, Rebecca received a call from the evidence specialist.
There was another item inside the metal case.
A cassette recording labeled with the date of the fire.
And written beneath it were four words:
Meeting with Richard Cole.