Jonah gave a humorless smile. "That part is hard to argue with."
"Exactly."
Before leaving, Jonah photographed the marks on Duncan's wrists with Duncan's consent and recorded the time. He also wrote a short memorandum stating that the Marshals Service presence began only after Barlo called the district office seeking identity verification. That memorandum would later become important because Marissa's public version of events tried to reverse the sequence.
The association crew was ordered out while investigators processed the interior. Their boxes remained where they had been placed until photographed and tagged. Evan Cole gave a statement that evening without asking for an attorney. He described being hired for a property-security assignment, being told the association had lawful possession, and becoming concerned when Marissa admitted paperwork was still being finalized.
"I should have left then," Evan said.
Ruiz did not reassure him. "Why didn't you?"
"Because I needed the work. And because Trent told me it was normal during an asset recovery."
"Did you touch Mr. Vale?"
"I held one arm when Trent restrained him."
"Did he resist?"
"No."
"Did he threaten anyone?"
"No."
"Did Ms. Crowley order the detention?"
Evan looked down. "Yes."
Ruiz wrote it down.
Marissa eventually left after arranging new personal counsel. She was not arrested that night. Duncan did not ask why. Investigations involving documents, multiple actors, property records, and possible forgery rarely moved as quickly as public anger wanted them to. Immediate arrest would have satisfied emotion and risked complicating a case that was still unfolding.
What mattered that first night was control of evidence.
Duncan stayed until almost midnight while Vale Industrial Supply employees came in one at a time to identify what had been moved. His operations manager, Sheila Grant, was furious when she saw the office.
"They opened payroll?"
"Looks like the cabinet. We do not know what they viewed."
"Employee Social Security information is in there."
"I know."
"Customer bids too."
"I know."