Anyone could have installed that thing, Shaw interjected quickly. Criminals, hackers, disgruntled employees. You're right, Captain.
Danielle agreed, pulling out her phone again. Anyone could have, but not everyone had access to make it work. She scrolled through her downloaded records, then held up the screen.
Government fleet cards require patrol vehicle identification for restricted overrides. Guess whose patrol unit number appears in 90% of the suspicious transactions. The color drained from Voss's face as Danielle read from her phone.
Vehicle designation 74 alpha. Override entries every Tuesday and Friday night for 6 weeks. Always between midnight and 3:00 a.m.
"That's—" Voss started, then stopped himself. That's your patrol vehicle, Officer Voss. Danielle finished.
Your identification, your authorization codes. Shaw stepped forward aggressively. Patrol vehicle numbers can be spoofed.
Codes can be stolen. That's completely circumstantial evidence. Maybe, Danielle acknowledged, standing up and dusting off her knees.
But circumstantial evidence builds cases when there's enough of it. She looked directly at Shaw, then shifted her gaze toward the station office where his officers stood guard. Which brings me to what I need next, Captain Shaw, she said with quiet determination.
The security footage you just ordered sealed. Shaw's jaw tightened. Behind him, Voss wiped sweat from his forehead with a trembling hand.
"The cameras that recorded every late night visit to this pump," Danielle continued. Every override entry, every unauthorized access to government fuel equipment. She gestured toward the station office windows.
All that footage is sitting right there behind your police tape. The group moved toward the station entrance like opposing armies converging on contested ground. Shaw's officers had positioned themselves strategically around the glass doors.
Their presence meant to intimidate anyone thinking of challenging their authority. Danielle walked with steady purpose, General Thorne flanking her right side. Behind them, the altered Pump 6 stood as silent testimony to the corruption they had uncovered.
"I need immediate access to that security recorder," Danielle announced as they reached the entrance. "Every minute we delay gives someone time to alter or destroy evidence." Shaw stepped directly into her path, his uniform crisp, despite the morning's confrontations. Absolutely not.
Local police protocol requires us to review any recordings before releasing them to outside agencies. Outside agencies? General Thorne's voice carried dangerous quiet.
Agent Cross is a federal military investigator examining theft of Army property. I understand that, General, Shaw replied, his tone carefully measured. But this gas station operates under local jurisdiction.
My officers will review the security footage first to determine what, if anything, relates to your investigation. Danielle felt anger burning in her chest, but kept her expression neutral. Shaw was gambling that bureaucratic confusion could buy enough time to control the evidence.
Captain Shaw, she said clearly, interfering with evidence involving stolen military fuel is a federal offense. You're walking into dangerous territory. Shaw's smile never wavered.