Chapter 6 — Cross-Referencing Digital Timecards
Aiden looked up from Liam’s worn notebook.
His expression hardened further.
“Let’s cross-reference these written entries with the digital timecard database,” Aiden said.
He reached past Bianca.
His fingers tapped quickly on the keyboard of the master monitoring terminal.
The screen flickered, loading the company’s internal electronic payroll system.
“Pulling up the archived sign-offs for the past month,” Aiden murmured.
Aiden typed in Liam’s employee ID number.
A comprehensive list of digital timestamps populated the monitor.
The electronic logs confirmed Liam had clocked out precisely at his scheduled shift end on paper.
Yet Aiden knew Liam had been locked inside the commercial kitchen hours later.
“Look at the digital approval signatures,” Liam said, pointing to a column on the right side of the screen.
Aiden narrowed his eyes.
Every single late-night sign-off carried the exact same administrative approval code.
It was Bianca’s unique login ID authorizing the manual overrides.
The system logs proved systemic alteration of timecard sign-offs.
Bianca stood motionless beside the desk.
Her hands gripped the edge of the stainless steel counter until her knuckles turned white.
“The system records don’t match the paper punch-outs,” Aiden said, his voice dangerously quiet.
“You approved your own manual entries to erase the overtime hours from the payroll database.”
Bianca opened her mouth to speak, but no sound came out.
Aiden ignored her hesitation.
He closed the timecard program and opened the main facility camera directory.
A layout of every security lens appeared in a grid across the monitor.
Aiden’s cursor hovered over a camera labeled East Hallway Exit.
He clicked to expand the feed.
The live camera view maximized across the entire screen.
Aiden noticed a second camera angle covering the back exit hallway.
The timestamp in the corner showed the footage was actively recording in real time.