They don't prove what, Captain? Danielle interrupted. She advanced the recording to show Shaw's figure appearing beside Voss.
They don't prove you were here supervising fuel theft. I was investigating. Let me show you something else.
Danielle opened another file on her tablet. Pump authorization logs. Every manual override requires identification verification.
Her finger pointed to specific entries. August 15th, 11:41 p.m. Override authorization, badge number 4471.
Officer N. Voss. She scrolled to another entry.
July 22nd, 11:33 p.m. Override authorization, badge number 4471. Officer N.
Voss. Another entry. June 8th, 11:15 p.m.
Same badge number, same pattern. Voss's mouth opened and closed without sound. Every single night shown in Ms.
Grant's recordings. Danielle continued relentlessly. Voss's patrol identification was used to authorize manual pump overrides, and on every single night, large quantities of Army fuel were recorded as dispensed to accounts we never authorized.
Shaw stared at the evidence accumulating around him like walls closing in. His earlier bluster had completely vanished, replaced by the desperate calculation of someone realizing how thoroughly trapped he had become. The silence stretched for nearly 30 seconds before Shaw changed tactics entirely.
Agent Cross, he said quietly, stepping closer and lowering his voice. Could I speak with you privately outside? I think we can resolve this situation without unnecessarily destroying careers or reputations.
Shaw guided Danielle toward the station entrance, away from the cluster of military personnel and equipment surrounding Pump 6. The fluorescent lights above the building cast harsh shadows across his weathered face as he glanced back to ensure they were out of earshot. Agent Cross, Shaw began, his voice carefully modulated to sound reasonable and professional.
I think we both understand that situations like this can escalate beyond what anyone intended. Officer Voss made some poor decisions today. His reaction to your credentials was inappropriate and unprofessional.
Danielle stood with her arms crossed, watching Shaw's face carefully as he spoke. Behind them. Voss shifted nervously near the fuel pumps, his eyes darting between the federal investigators and his supervisor.
What I'm suggesting, Shaw continued, is that we handle this matter with the discretion it deserves. The broken badge was clearly an unfortunate misunderstanding. Officer Voss was following protocol for suspicious activity, and when your identification appeared damaged or irregular, he reacted according to his training.
Shaw paused, studying Danielle's expression for any sign of receptiveness to his proposal. When she remained silent, he pressed forward. As for the fuel discrepancies you've identified, I think the appropriate course of action would be to transfer this investigation to our internal affairs division.
Local investigators who understand the complexities of this jurisdiction can examine the pump records and determine whether any irregularities occurred. If problems are found, they'll be addressed through proper departmental channels. Danielle's jaw tightened almost imperceptibly.