Hollis left.
The technicians opened the rear secured storage area.
Marcus immediately noticed something missing.
He leaned closer.
“Stop.”
Brooks looked at him.
“What?”
“There should be six sealed case files in that section.”
The compartment contained emergency equipment.
Protective folders.
Several smaller items.
But the sealed packet of case material was gone.
Brooks’s voice lowered.
“What classification?”
“Sensitive federal investigative material. Restricted handling. Not national-security classified, but controlled case information.”
That distinction mattered.
It was still serious.
Very serious.
Marcus closed his eyes.
The files related to an active investigation.
Exposure could compromise sources and investigative strategy.
Brooks photographed the empty space.
“Last verified?”
“Before I left surveillance.”
“Documented?”
“Yes. Fleet checkout inventory.”
Marcus felt anger rising.
“If they took those files—”
Brooks stopped him.
“We prove it.”
The next morning, Riverside Police announced that questions had arisen regarding Marcus’s handling of federal materials.
The statement did not directly accuse him of losing evidence.
It did not need to.
Local news outlets did the rest.
FBI Agent Under Review After Controversial Traffic Stop.
Questions Surround Missing Federal Case Files.
Police Say Search May Have Revealed Security Issues.
Marcus watched the television in Brooks’s office.
Mercer appeared briefly leaving headquarters.
A reporter asked whether he felt vindicated.
Mercer said: