The next couple of hours passed and Cedar was just about to take up Owen's advice about heading to bed until a knock sounded from the front door at approximately ten PM.
"Easy Alice". Cedar said, nudging the growling dog out of the way with his foot before opening the front door to reveal Boone, Joel and Rocky.
"Hey dad". Cedar greeted, hugging his father tightly as he showed him into the living room.
"I thought you were supposed to be in bed?". Boone asked with a frown.
"Dad, I can handle whatever we find, alright?". Cedar replied firmly as everyone sat on the carpeted floor.
Boone didn't look quite convinced but kept his mouth shut as he took out three manila folders from his backpack. "This is the rest of what I found in David's office".
"What are we looking for exactly?". Owen asked as he took the first folder and took out numerous sheets of paper.
"Proof that he and Jerry Anderson were the ones behind the Z Virus and/or the Cordyceps infection appearing". Boone replied.
Owen nodded and fell silent for a few moments as he read over the paper he was holding. "I think I found something!".
"What?". Boone asked.
"Obviously we all know that the Cordyceps infection occurred from tainted bags of grain and flour, take a look at this attached photo and the date on the back". Owen rattled off as he passed the paper and photo to Boone and Rocky.
"September 19th, 2013". Boone read aloud. "Exactly one week before the Cordyceps infection broke out".
"And who's in that photo?". Owen prompted.
"David Nigel and Jerry Anderson". Rocky said. "This paper is a print out of David's old college transcripts, including what he majored in".
"How is that relevant to anything?". Cedar asked in confusion.
"David's major was in Mycology". Boone replied.
"The branch of biology that focuses on the study of fungi". Owen finished. "A perfect degree for someone looking to work with Cordyceps fungus".
"Damn". Cedar mumbled.
"I found Jerry's transcripts too". Rocky remarked as he held up a piece of paper.
"What'd he major in?". Owen asked.
"Milling science plus research and development". Rocky rattled off. "He basically learned the in's and outs of the Milling industry".
"Fitting for someone looking to contaminate a major food supply". Cedar remarked grimly.
"It wouldn't have been very hard either". Boone chimed in. "Something as simple as improper storing of the flour could have caused the Cordyceps to contaminate the whole supply".
"Mix that with two people who clearly knew what they were doing, and you have a recipe for a fast spreading, unstoppable pandemic". Cedar finished off.
"Guys... I found something else here". Owen said as he picked up another paper.
"What is it?". Cedar asked, trying to get a look at the paper as it was passed over to Rocky.
"An arrest record for Jerry Anderson". Rocky replied. "Dated March 15th, 2012".
"What were the charges?". Boone asked.
"Labor trafficking of ten underage kids, male and female". Boone read aloud. "He was fined 1.5 million dollars and it was all paid off by David Nigel the same day".
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HorrorFollowing The Events That Occurred In Seattle, Twenty Seven Year Old Cedar Baker And His Family Head To Jackson, Wyoming In Hopes Of Rebuilding A Better Life. Cover Credit: @GraveyardSiren