Chapter 7 — The Hallway Camera Angle
Aiden selected the archive folder for the previous Tuesday evening.
The screen displayed a multi-window playback interface.
Multiple camera feeds populated the monitor simultaneously.
The primary feed showed the commercial kitchen prep tables.
A secondary window displayed the narrow hallway leading away from the back service exit.
Aiden clicked the play button.
The digital clock in the corner began ticking forward at normal speed.
The footage showed the kitchen lights glowing brightly against the stainless steel surfaces.
Liam could be seen methodically stacking metal trays near the wash station.
A few minutes later, another kitchen worker entered the frame carrying a stack of dirty pans.
The secondary hallway camera simultaneously captured the same worker’s arrival from the locker room.
The video timestamp read 8:45 PM.
Bianca walked into the frame on the main monitor.
She intercepted the other kitchen worker near the exit door.
The audio feed amplified through the terminal speakers.
“You’re not leaving until every single bin is scrubbed down,” Bianca instructed the worker.
“My shift ended twenty minutes ago,” the worker replied, shaking his head.
“You volunteered for extra inventory management,” Bianca said sharply.
“Sign this compliance form or don’t bother coming in tomorrow.”
The video clearly showed the worker reluctantly turning back toward the wash sinks under visible duress.
Aiden watched the interaction unfold without blinking.
He paused the playback and looked directly at Bianca.
“That’s not an isolated incident,” Aiden said.
“The hallway angle proves you systematically coerced multiple staff members.”
Bianca stared at the paused monitor.
The color had completely drained from her face.
Her lips parted slightly as she looked at the second kitchen worker captured on the screen.
She opened her mouth to argue, then glanced at the detailed timestamp data stamped across the top of the video feed.
Her defense had completely collapsed.
She stopped trying to interrupt Aiden.
She let out a long, defeated breath and lowered her head toward the desk.
Aiden clicked on a flashing notification icon that had just appeared in the corner of the master security interface.