Rodriguez checked.
“Mercer.”
Marcus and Brooks exchanged a look.
“Second entry?”
“Hollis today.”
“Reason listed?”
“Inventory.”
“Inventory sheets?”
Rodriguez hesitated.
“I was told they were with department paperwork.”
“Do you have copies?”
“No.”
Brooks’s jaw tightened.
A vehicle entered the lot.
Hollis stepped out.
Two officers followed.
He approached the federal team.
“This vehicle remains part of a local investigation.”
Brooks turned.
“It is federal property now under preservation review.”
Hollis produced paperwork.
“We have lawful custody.”
“Not after your officers accessed it twice without documented inventory.”
“That’s an accusation.”
“It’s an access log.”
Hollis looked toward Marcus.
“This again.”
Marcus said nothing.
Brooks stepped closer.
“Lieutenant Hollis, from this moment forward, neither you nor any member of your department touches this SUV without federal authorization.”
“You cannot exclude us from our own evidence.”
“I just did.”
Hollis stared at her.
Brooks held out her hand.
“Keys.”
For several seconds, nothing moved.
Then Hollis removed the keyring.
Dropped it into her palm.
“This is a mistake.”
Brooks replied:
“We’ll document that opinion too.”