Cold Case Chronicles: Bound for Justice

Chapter 5: Uncovering the Truth

Section 1: Gathering Testimonies

The conference room buzzed with a quiet tension as Jack and Sarah prepared to meet with several community members willing to testify against Collins. The meeting was set to take place at a neutral location—a community center not far from Collins' old stomping grounds. Jack hoped that providing a familiar, safe environment would encourage people to speak up.

Sarah sat beside him, reviewing a list of potential witnesses. "We've got four people lined up for today. Two former employees of Collins, a local shop owner, and a woman who claims to have seen Collins at one of the warehouses during a shipment."

Jack nodded, skimming over the profiles Sarah had prepared. "It's a start, but we're going to need more. Collins has insulated himself well, and we're still piecing together the full extent of his operations."

A moment later, the door opened, and the first witness entered. He was a man in his fifties, with graying hair and a weary expression. Jack recognized him as Peter Lane, one of Collins' former drivers. Peter took a seat, glancing nervously at Jack and Sarah before shifting his gaze to the floor.

"Thank you for coming, Mr. Lane," Sarah said, her voice calm and reassuring. "We appreciate you taking the time to speak with us today. We know it isn't easy."

Peter nodded, wringing his hands. "I just... I don't want any trouble. I quit working for Collins months ago, but I'm worried he still has eyes on me."

Jack leaned forward, his tone gentle but firm. "We understand your concerns, Peter. We'll do everything we can to protect you. What we need is information—anything you can tell us about Collins and his operations. You could be a key part in bringing him to justice."

Peter took a deep breath, visibly steeling himself. "Alright. I used to drive one of his trucks. It started off innocent enough—just deliveries, you know? But then he had me picking up people, and that's when I knew something was wrong. They were always scared, and Collins' men were rough with them. I never asked questions, but I saw enough to know he was up to no good."

"Do you remember any specific locations?" Sarah asked, pen poised to take notes. "Any details about the routes, the people, or the cargo you transported?"

"There were a few warehouses on the outskirts of town," Peter replied, his voice trembling. "One in particular. Collins called it the 'hub.' It was where they sorted everything before moving it out. I'd drop people off there, and they'd disappear. I never saw them again."

Jack exchanged a glance with Sarah, recognizing the significance of Peter's testimony. The "hub" could be a critical piece in their case. "Did you ever see Collins there? Or any of his top men?"

Peter nodded. "A couple of times. I saw him talking with a guy named Vargas—big guy, mean-looking. And there was another woman. I think her name was Torres. They were always in charge, making sure everything ran smoothly."

Jack made notes, his mind racing. This was the confirmation he needed to tie Collins directly to the warehouses and the trafficking. "Thank you, Peter. This is exactly what we need. We'll ensure your safety. Is there anything else you can remember?"

Peter hesitated, then leaned in, lowering his voice. "There's one more thing. Collins has a place downtown—an old office building. It doesn't look like much, but he uses it to handle money. I overheard him once, talking about moving funds through there. I don't know the details, but I thought you should know."

Jack's eyes lit up with interest. This was the first mention of a potential financial hub beyond Costa's operations. "Thank you, Peter. You've been a great help."