“Was it entered into dispatch?”
“Not everything gets entered.”
Valdez placed the official log on the table.
“This is the only active narcotics vehicle bulletin during the relevant period.”
Mercer glanced down.
“It could have been separate.”
“Could have been?”
“I’d need to check.”
Marcus said:
“The vehicle described there is blue.”
Mercer looked at him.
Valdez continued.
“Officer Danner, did you tell Sergeant Mercer during the stop that Agent Vance’s SUV did not match the description?”
Danner swallowed.
“Yes.”
“Did he stop the search?”
“No.”
“Did he verify the VIN?”
“No.”
“Plate?”
“No.”
“Government registration?”
“We found it.”
“What happened?”
Danner looked toward Mercer.
“He said paperwork could be fake.”
Mercer shifted in his chair.
Hollis intervened.
“We need to remember officers operate under pressure.”
Valdez looked at him.
“Lieutenant, you’ll have your turn.”
Hollis leaned back.
Valdez turned to Mercer again.
“Why did you order Officer Danner to disable his body camera after Agent Vance’s credentials were located?”
“Sensitive information.”
“What sensitive information?”
“Federal credentials. Potential confidential intelligence.”
“Then why does the recording show you saying, ‘We need to sort this mess out without everything being recorded’?”
Mercer’s face reddened.
“Words get interpreted differently under stress.”
Marcus stayed silent.