Maya's eyes remained on the screen. Jasmine turned toward her. You worked in emergency communications? Maya did not respond. Shaw continued.
That history is relevant because investigators are relying on her interpretation of police codes, timestamps, and communication procedures. The public deserves to know whether those interpretations are objective. He never mentioned why Maya had accessed the old records or why she had left the job. He presented the disciplinary action as proof that she could not be trusted. The report showed an old photograph of Maya wearing a Riverton emergency communications badge.
Jasmine stared at it. Why did you never tell me? Maya slowly typed. I refused a report. What report?
Maya hesitated, then selected. Not now. Jasmine stepped away from the bed. She was not angry that her mother had once worked as a dispatcher. She was hurt because Shaw had revealed part of Maya's life before Mia chose to explain it herself.
Dana turned off the television. Shaw is trying to move public attention away from the mana. He made her sound like a criminal. Jasmine said he used accurate details without the full context. That makes the lie harder to challenge.
Maya looked toward the dark screen. She had heard officials use policy language to protect themselves before. The phrases changed, but the method remained the same. She typed, "He knew warrant failed. " Dana nodded. The press conference was scheduled after the Dominion records disappeared.
He knew we would not have the financial files available to answer him today. Lieutenant Adrien Cole entered several minutes later. He closed the door and placed a new security schedule on the table. The department is assigning additional personnel outside the hospital. He said after what happened with Ror, no local officer will enter this floor without federal approval.
Jasmine did not respond. She was still looking at the old photograph of her mother on her phone. Cole turned toward Maya. At least the live stream protected you. 47 seconds was enough to save the case.
Maya immediately fixed her eyes on him. Cole noticed the change in her expression. What? Dana remained still. How long did you say the live stream lasted?
47 seconds. That number has not been released. Cole's face remained composed. I read the technical report. The official summary says less than 1 minute, Dana replied.
I saw a preliminary version in the task force room. Maya continued staring at him. Cole gave a restrained smile. I am part of the joint investigation, Agent Brooks. Accessing a report is not evidence of misconduct.
No, Dana said, "But I will confirm which version you opened. " Cole looked toward Jasmine. "I came here to help. If my presence is becoming a distraction, I will leave. After he walked out, Maya typed, "Check access log. " Dana contacted the Federal Technical Unit. While they searched the report history, another call came from the team at Dominion Recovery.
The remaining financial accounts had been emptied through a series of transfers to companies registered outside Georgia. The auction database had been erased, and the box truck seen leaving the property had been found abandoned near the state line. All paper files were gone. Dana ended the call and looked toward the temporary task force room through the glass wall. The operation was exposed before we arrived, she said.
Now the financial trail is disappearing. Her phone vibrated with the report access results. Cole's credentials had opened a restricted technical file containing the exact 47-second transmission time, but his name was not the only one on the list. Eleanor Price had also entered the temporary investigation room during the same period. Jasmine looked toward the hallway where Eleanor was finishing her rounds.
Maya watched Dana closed the access report. They had identified another breach, but it pointed toward two people who had both claimed to be protecting her. The offer arrived that evening through an attorney representing St. Catherine Medical Center. Jasmine was asked to meet him in a private consultation room near the administrative wing.
Dana allowed the meeting only after confirming that the attorney had no authority to question Maya directly. The attorney placed a short agreement on the table. If you sign this, he said the hospital will withdraw its complaint. Riverside College will be informed that the matter has been resolved and no criminal referral will be pursued. Jasmine read the first page.
What do I have to say in return? That your mother may have misunderstood the records she collected. You would also confirm that her judgment and memory have been affected by medication and damage to her airway. My mother was not confused. The agreement does not use that word.
It says her statements may be unreliable. The attorney folded his hands. You are facing the loss of your clinical placement and possible charges involving protected medical information. This gives you a way to protect your future. Jasmine looked at the signature line but did not touch the pen.
May I take this to my mother? You may review it with her, but the offer expires tomorrow morning. When Jasmine returned to room 314, Dana was speaking quietly with Eleanor. Maya noticed the agreement immediately. Jasmine placed it inside her bag.
"What is that? " Dana asked. "Nothing. I am ready to discuss. " Maya watched her daughter avoid looking toward the bed. Jasmine remained for another 20 minutes speaking about routine matters and pretending the meeting had not happened. When she finally left to make a phone call, Maya used the communication device.
She is hiding something. Dana did not answer at once. I know. Maya's eyes narrowed. You knew about the offer.
The attorney notified the task force that he intended to speak with her. I did not know the exact terms. Maya typed, "Get it. " Jasmine returned before Dana could leave. She saw the words on the screen and removed the agreement from her bag. "They will clear me," she said.
"I can return to school. " Maya read the document while Jasmine turned each page. The agreement required Jasmine to confirm that Maya had collected records without proper authorization and that her interpretation of police codes might have been affected by medication. It also questioned the reliability of the eyetracking device. Maya selected her response to sign it. Jasmine stared at the screen.