An older reporter asked about spending, and a woman from a local newspaper asked how many firearms had been recovered that year. Beexley answered with numbers so quickly that he scarcely looked at the chart. Then a reporter in a tweed jacket asked whether the department had reviewed the arrest of a woman working on her vehicle in Larkspur Bend. Beexley's expression did not change. He said he could not discuss an open case but assured the crowd that all officers followed strict evidence procedures and that every arrest report passed supervisory review.
"And every weapon is logged and tracked until destruction," he repeated. "That's why we have a paper trail." Monica looked toward a younger Channel 8 reporter standing a few feet away. Her name badge identified her as Maya Ellis, and she had been holding a microphone toward a man in the crowd when she noticed Monica's face. Recognition moved across her expression as she glanced toward the phone in her hand, where Ralph's video had evidently been opened more than once in the previous week.
"You're the woman with the wrench," Maya whispered. Monica nodded without speaking. Maya explained that her producer had asked the department for comment on the arrest several times and had received no answer beyond the standard statement about an open case. Monica looked toward Beexley and said quietly, "Ask him when the crusher last ran, and whether every weapon listed as destroyed went through it." Maya's eyes narrowed with interest, but before she could raise the microphone, the captain called for the next question.
Monica raised her hand. Beexley looked across the crowd, saw her, and immediately chose a reporter near the front instead. She waited through the answer and kept her hand up, refusing to push past anyone or shout across the sidewalk. Maya stepped closer, held out her microphone, and gestured for Monica to take it. Monica hesitated only long enough to ensure the reporter understood what she intended, then accepted it and spoke into the speakers in a clear, controlled voice.
"Captain Beexley, when did the crusher last run?" Heads turned toward her in the rear of the crowd. Beexley smiled as though the question were too technical for the occasion and asked her to be more specific.
Monica obliged. "When was the last time every firearm in the destruction batch actually went through the crusher? Not the few chosen for the cameras. All of them, with the serial numbers checked against the list."
The captain's expression remained carefully polite. He told her that procedures were documented and that anyone with a question could submit a public-records request. "I did," Monica answered. "Your signature is on the certificate I received." A sudden loud click passed through the speakers, followed by silence. At the side of the stage, a young technician in a department polo had pulled a cable from the soundboard.