Pike flanked him on the right, his expression eager and vindictive. Shaw and Mercer took positions on either side, while Cole remained slightly behind the others. "Agent Carter, " Keller said formally, extending the document. This is a narrowly written inspection order for local recording equipment related to yesterday's incident. Maya accepted the papers and read carefully.
The order was specific. It authorized examination of security recording devices located within the residence limited to footage from the previous 48 hours. No removal of equipment was permitted without separate authorization. This order allows inspection only, Maya said clearly. No seizure, no removal, no expansion beyond the stated scope.
Understood, Keller replied smoothly. We simply need to verify what recordings exist. Naomi stepped beside her sister. The inspection will be conducted on the porch and just inside the front doorway. The order doesn't authorize a general search of the house.
Pike shifted impatiently. Lieutenant, we need access to wherever the equipment is located. The equipment can be brought to you, Maya said firmly. Or you can inspect it from the authorized area. Keller nodded as if this was reasonable.
That's acceptable. Please bring the recording system where we can examine it. The twins exchanged glances. They both understood that Keller was being unusually cooperative, which made him more dangerous than Pike's obvious aggression. Maya stepped back from the doorway.
Officers will remain on the porch. Lieutenant Keller may step inside the front entrance only. Naomi moved toward the security cabinet mounted near the living room entrance. The local recording unit was clearly visible, a black metal box with several LED indicators and connection cables. Here's the primary recorder.
Naomi announced it stores 48 hours of footage before automatic deletion. Keller moved just inside the doorway. Careful to stay within the permitted area. He examined the device from several feet away, nodding as if satisfied. "And this contains the recordings from yesterday's encounter? " he asked.
Among other recent footage, Naomi confirmed. Pike grew restless on the porch. Lieutenant, how long does this take? It's just a recording box. Patience, Sergeant, Keller said calmly.
But Maya caught something in his tone, a signal she couldn't quite interpret. That's when Pike moved. Without warning, he lunged past Keller and charged toward the security cabinet, his hands reaching for the recording unit. Hey. Naomi stepped directly into his path.
You're exceeding the search scope. Pike tried to push past her, but Naomi planted her feet and blocked his advance. Lieutenant, your sergeant is violating the inspection order. Shaw burst through the doorway behind Pike. Move aside, lady.
He grabbed Naomi from behind, wrapping his arms around her shoulders to pull her away from the cabinet. Maya reacted instantly. She stepped forward and applied a controlled arm lock, gripping Shaw's elbow and wrist in a smooth motion that forced him to release Naomi immediately. "Officer Shaw, remove your hands, " Maya commanded, maintaining the lock without causing injury. Shaw tried to twist away, but Maya's training kept him controlled.
"Let go of me. when you stop grabbing my sister. Mercer suddenly moved between Pike and the security cabinet, blocking Pike's path. Sergeant, the order doesn't authorize this. Cole stepped into the doorway, his voice loud and clear. Lieutenant, this search is exceeding its authorized scope.
The inspection order doesn't permit seizure. Pike ignored all of them, reaching around Mercer toward the recording unit. We need that evidence. In the struggle, Pike's elbow struck the security cabinet. The local recorder tilted on its mounting shelf, balanced precariously for one moment, then crashed to the floor.
The black metal housing split open on impact. Circuit boards scattered across the hardwood. LED lights flickered once and went dark. Silence filled the front hallway. Keller smiled slowly as if everything had gone exactly according to plan.
Well, he said with satisfaction, "That's unfortunate. Looks like your recording system has been damaged. " Pike stepped back from the broken components, breathing hard but grinning. Shaw rubbed his arm where Maya had controlled him, glaring at both twins. Maya released Shaw completely and moved to stand beside Naomi, who was calmly examining the scattered pieces of the recorder. 48 hours of local footage, Keller continued, his voice carrying false regret.
All destroyed in the struggle. Cole looked stricken. Lieutenant, that wasn't supposed to happen. Accidents occur during lawful inspections, Officer Cole, Keller replied coldly. Naomi knelt beside the broken recorder, gathering a few circuit boards as if checking for salvageable components.
She looked up at Maya with an expression that appeared defeated. "Maya, " she said quietly, her voice carrying to her sister, but not to the officers. The originals were uploaded off site before anyone arrived. Maya kept her face carefully neutral, showing no reaction to Naomi's words, but inside she felt a surge of fierce satisfaction. Keller thought he had just destroyed their evidence.
He had no idea what was coming. "Nobody move! " Keller barked, his voice cutting through the tension in the front hallway. "Everyone stay exactly where you are. " The officers froze in position. Pike stood near the broken security cabinet, his chest still rising and falling from the struggle. Shaw remained by the doorway, rubbing his arm.
Mercer held his ground between Pike and the scattered recorder pieces. Cole stayed in the entrance, his body camera still recording everything. Maya and Naomi stood side by side, surveying the damage to their equipment with carefully controlled expressions. Keller pointed at the broken components scattered across the hardwood floor. What we have here is clear destruction of evidence during a lawful inspection.
Pike immediately seized the opportunity. That woman smashed the recorder. He jabbed his finger toward Naomi. She knocked it down when I tried to examine it properly. Naomi's voice remained steady.