Page 33 of Outside the Room


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"What about Diana Pearce?" she asked, introducing the victim's name without preamble. "Were you acquainted with her work at the port authority?"

The question caught Nash slightly off guard—exactly as Isla had intended. His composure slipped momentarily, revealing a flash of what might have been concern before he regained control.

"Ms. Pearce... I believe we met once or twice during port authority meetings," he said, his tone measured but his left hand now slightly tensed against his thigh. "Her death was shocking. A terrible loss for the port community."

"She was reviewing the same manifest discrepancies that Marcus Whitman had flagged before his murder," Sullivan stated flatly, watching Nash's reaction.

Nash spread his hands in a gesture of helpless confusion. "I can't imagine why anyone would commit murder over standard shipping variances. There must be something else involved—perhaps they discovered smuggling operations unrelated to legitimate shipping companies."

The practiced response came a little too quickly, suggesting prepared talking points. Isla pressed further. "Mr. Nash, we've found connections between shell companies linked to Bradley's smuggling operation and corporate entities with ties to Nash Global."

This elicited a more visible reaction—a slight narrowing of the eyes, a momentary stillness before Nash leaned forward. "That's a serious implication, Agent Rivers. My company operates with complete transparency and compliance with all international shipping regulations. If there are connections, they would be through third parties operating without our knowledge or consent."

"We're not making accusations," Sullivan said smoothly. "We're following evidence. Part of that process involves understanding the corporate structures that might be exploited by criminal elements."

Nash seemed to relax marginally, though his right hand had stopped its earlier tapping and now remained completely still—another potential stress indicator. "Of course. And I want to assure you that Nash Global will cooperate fully with your investigation. Our records are open to proper legal review. We have nothing to hide."

He stood, signaling an end to the meeting with practiced authority. "I'll have our compliance team compile all manifest data for the past year and make it available to your office. If there are systematic discrepancies, we want to identify and correct them immediately."

As they rose to leave, Nash added with careful emphasis, "I hope you find whoever is responsible for these tragic deaths. The port is vital to Duluth's economy and identity. We all want it to operate safely and legally."

The walk back to the elevator was conducted with the same corporate courtesy that had greeted their arrival. Nash accompanied them personally—a gesture that could be interpreted as either respectful attention or a desire to ensure their prompt departure from his territory.

"Please don't hesitate to contact me directly if there's anything else Nash Global can provide to assist your investigation," he said as the elevator doors opened. His smile remained perfect, his handshake firm and confident.

It was only as the doors closed and they began their descent that Isla allowed her analytical observations to coalesce into assessment.

"He's involved," she said quietly, certain they were alone but mindful of the possibility of monitoring.

Sullivan nodded slightly. "Definitely knows more than he's saying. That reaction when you mentioned Pearce—he flinched."

"It was subtle, but unmistakable," Isla agreed. "He knew exactly who she was and why she mattered to our investigation."

They exited the building and walked to their Bureau vehicle, neither speaking further until they were inside with the engine running and heat beginning to circulate through the frigid interior.

"Nash is too careful to get his hands dirty directly," Isla continued once they had privacy. "He's built layers of protection—corporate structures, political connections, plausible deniability. But he knows exactly what happened to Whitman and Pearce, even if he didn't order it personally."

Sullivan nodded, his expression grim as he pulled away from the Nash Global building. "So, we need to identify his enforcer—whoever actually carried out the murders."

"Someone with access to the port, knowledge of shipping operations, and the physical capability to overpower both victims," Isla elaborated, her mind already cataloging potential suspects. "Probably someone Nash keeps at arm's length publicly but relies on for handling problems."

"We should look at Nash's executive team and security personnel," Sullivan suggested. "Anyone with a background that might include violence or enforcement capabilities."

Isla agreed, already planning their next steps. "And we need to dig deeper into Nash's corporate structure. If he's using his shipping network for smuggling, there will be weak points—employees who know too much, documentation that doesn't align perfectly."

As Sullivan navigated through downtown Duluth's snow-covered streets, Isla stared out at the frozen landscape, her mind cataloging and connecting the pieces of information they'd gathered. The interview with Nash had been revealing, not for what he'd said but for the subtle tells that betrayed his carefully constructed façade.

"He's worried," she said after several minutes of silence. "Behind all that corporate polish and political connection, he's concerned about what we might find."

"Good," Sullivan replied. "Worried people make mistakes."

"But they also accelerate timelines," Isla countered. "If Nash believes we're getting close to whatever operation he's running, he might move to clean house—eliminate evidence, silence witnesses, create distance between himself and any criminal activity."

Sullivan's expression darkened. "Like he did with Whitman and Pearce."

"Exactly." Isla pulled out her phone, scrolling through the notes she'd taken during their meeting. "We should put surveillance on Nash immediately."

Sullivan nodded in agreement, taking a turn that would lead them back toward the field office rather than the port.