Maya stood up, walking to the open front door. She stared out at the porch where her father had stood his ground against the same men who'd tried to intimidate her yesterday. "The cameras weren't for vandalism," she said quietly. "No," Naomi agreed.
"Dad installed them because he expected retaliation." Maya gripped the doorframe, understanding flooding through her. The porch that Pike had tried to control yesterday had been documenting his pattern of harassment for years. Their father had been building a case long before Maya and Naomi ever returned home.
"He was protecting us," Maya whispered. "Even after he was gone." Maya's phone buzzed with an incoming call just as she and Naomi were pulling up the next archived video. The caller ID showed an unknown local number. Special Agent Carter, Maya answered.
This is Lieutenant Keller. I'm outside your property with a lawful inspection order. Please come to your front door. Maya looked at Naomi, who was already closing the laptop.
Through the window, they could see the same four officers from yesterday standing at the bottom of their porch steps. Keller held a folded document in his hand. "We're coming," Maya said, ending the call. The twins walked to the front door together.
Keller stood prominently at the center of the group, his lieutenant's uniform crisp and authoritative. Pike flanked him on the right, his expression eager and vindictive. Shaw and Mercer took positions on either side, while Cole remained slightly behind the others. "Agent Carter," Keller said formally, extending the document.
This is a narrowly written inspection order for local recording equipment related to yesterday's incident. Maya accepted the papers and read carefully. The order was specific. It authorized examination of security recording devices located within the residence limited to footage from the previous 48 hours.
No removal of equipment was permitted without separate authorization. This order allows inspection only, Maya said clearly. No seizure, no removal, no expansion beyond the stated scope. Understood, Keller replied smoothly.
We simply need to verify what recordings exist. Naomi stepped beside her sister. The inspection will be conducted on the porch and just inside the front doorway. The order doesn't authorize a general search of the house.
Pike shifted impatiently. Lieutenant, we need access to wherever the equipment is located. The equipment can be brought to you, Maya said firmly. Or you can inspect it from the authorized area.
Keller nodded as if this was reasonable. That's acceptable. Please bring the recording system where we can examine it. The twins exchanged glances.
They both understood that Keller was being unusually cooperative, which made him more dangerous than Pike's obvious aggression. Maya stepped back from the doorway. Officers will remain on the porch. Lieutenant Keller may step inside the front entrance only.
Naomi moved toward the security cabinet mounted near the living room entrance. The local recording unit was clearly visible, a black metal box with several LED indicators and connection cables. Here's the primary recorder, Naomi announced. It stores 48 hours of footage before automatic deletion.
Keller moved just inside the doorway, careful to stay within the permitted area. He examined the device from several feet away, nodding as if satisfied. "And this contains the recordings from yesterday's encounter?" he asked. Among other recent footage, Naomi confirmed.