Special agents Carter, he said formally. I'm Lieutenant Warren Keller, precinct commander. Maya nodded. Lieutenant Keller's eyes moved between the twins and the house behind them.
We received a call about suspicious activity at this address. My officers responded appropriately to investigate. Now, I need to verify that you have legitimate authority to be on this property. Naomi's eyebrows rose.
We live here. I'll need proof of that claim. Naomi pulled out her phone again, fingers swiping across the screen. She turned the device toward Keller, showing a digital document with official seals and signatures.
Property deed, she said calmly. Recorded with the county, current mortgage holder, First National Bank. Property taxes paid through December. Keller leaned forward, studying the screen.
The deed clearly listed the Carter family as property owners with the address matching exactly. The documentation was thorough and legitimate. Pike shifted nervously beside his lieutenant. That could be forged, too.
Digital documents are easy to fake. Keller straightened, his decision already made. The ownership documentation appears to be in order, he announced. However, given the nature of the initial call and the circumstances of this encounter, I'm declaring this property a temporary investigative scene.
Maya's voice sharpened. On what grounds? Public safety and evidence preservation, Keller replied smoothly. Everyone will remain exactly where they are until this investigation is completed to my satisfaction.
Early evening shadows stretched across the Carter property as the sun dipped lower in the sky. The confrontation had dragged on for over an hour with Maya and Naomi still positioned on their porch while five officers controlled the front yard below them. The air had grown thick with humidity and tension. Lieutenant Keller paced slowly between his men, his sharp eyes studying every detail of the house and property.
He moved with the deliberate confidence of someone accustomed to reshaping situations to fit his needs. "I've been thinking about this burglary call," Keller announced suddenly. His voice carried across the yard with practiced authority. The neighbor who reported suspicious activity might have been intimidated into changing their story.
Maya's jaw tightened. "What are you talking about?" "Sometimes people who witness crimes get scared when the suspects return to the scene," Keller continued smoothly. They might feel pressured to claim nothing happened.
That would explain why you're so confident about being here. Naomi's voice remained level despite the obvious absurdity. You think we intimidated someone into letting us burglarize our own house. I think witness intimidation is a serious federal crime, Keller replied.
Which means I have additional justification for maintaining this investigative scene until we can interview the caller properly. Pike had been growing more agitated during Keller's performance. His eyes kept darting toward the side of the house where a small window revealed electronic equipment inside. Through the glass, the red and blue lights of the security systems central hub were clearly visible.
Pike caught Shaw's attention with a subtle head nod toward the window. Shaw understood immediately. The sergeant wanted him to check out the recording equipment. Shaw began moving casually along the side of the porch, his path designed to look random.
Pike gave him another small signal, this one pointing directly at the window. Naomi tracked Shaw's movement with peripheral vision while keeping her primary focus on Keller. Lieutenant, are you planning to interview this mysterious caller tonight? Because otherwise your investigative scene justification doesn't hold legal water.