Cold Case Chronicles: Beneath the Surface

Chapter 2

The next morning, Jack sat at his desk, already sifting through maps and property records. The address Amanda's team had flagged the previous night was his top priority. If the location led to a property connected to Kane, it might be the break they needed. With a steaming coffee in hand and his notes spread out before him, Jack was focused and ready to take on the day.

A knock on his door broke his concentration. Sarah entered, clutching a slim file folder. "I just got these back from records," she said, placing it on his desk. "It's about the address. Turns out it's registered under a private company—Lakeside Holdings."

Jack arched an eyebrow. "Lakeside Holdings? That's one of the companies Amanda traced to the offshore accounts."

Sarah nodded. "Exactly. But what's interesting is that the building associated with it isn't in the city. It's a secluded property near the lake, miles outside of town. Based on the records, it's listed as an 'event venue,' but there are no permits or documentation to show it's ever been open to the public."

Jack leaned back, intrigued. "A remote property under an alias company? Sounds like the perfect spot to conduct private meetings or stash things you don't want others to see."

"Precisely." Sarah's eyes glinted with determination. "If Kane's using it, it's likely a central part of his operation."

Jack tapped his pen against his notebook. "This could be the first tangible location we can connect to Kane's network. If we want proof that links him directly to the ledger, this might be it."

Sarah nodded, though a slight hesitancy crossed her face. "It's risky, though. If he's really using it for his more private dealings, it might be under heavy security. We'd need to be discreet."

"Agreed," Jack replied. "But we can't pass this up. If Lakeside Holdings has records we can trace back to Kane, it could give us a direct line to his money-laundering scheme." He checked his watch. "Let's drive out there and see if we can get a visual of the place. We'll keep our distance, but it's worth scoping out."

Within half an hour, they were on the road, heading toward the outskirts of town. The city faded behind them as they passed into more rural territory, the bustling streets giving way to sprawling trees and quiet lakeside views. The drive was peaceful, almost serene, a stark contrast to the tension that brewed between them and the purpose of their visit.

As they approached the property, Sarah checked the GPS. "The coordinates should be just up ahead."

Jack slowed the car, scanning the surrounding area. The road was narrow and unmarked, and without the GPS, the turnoff would have been easy to miss. Thick trees lined both sides of the drive, creating a natural barrier that made the property almost invisible from the road. If this was indeed part of Kane's network, he had chosen a location as discreet as his financial dealings.

They parked a short distance away, opting to go the rest on foot to keep from drawing attention. Jack and Sarah moved quietly, the crunch of gravel beneath their feet the only sound as they approached. Eventually, the trees opened up to reveal a small, nondescript building partially hidden by overgrown foliage. Its faded exterior didn't look like much, but the lack of signage and the overgrown surroundings told a story of deliberate neglect—a place meant to avoid notice.

Jack took out his binoculars, scanning the perimeter. "There's a security camera by the entrance," he noted. "But it doesn't look active. Could be a decoy to keep people away."

Sarah nodded, looking around cautiously. "It's too quiet. If he's using this for high-level meetings, I'd expect at least some guards or movement."

"Maybe he doesn't use it regularly," Jack replied. "Or he only activates security when there's a meeting. Either way, if this place ties back to Kane, we might find something on site."