Captain Dugan later accessed the record. Dugan's eyes moved toward Noah. Maya noticed but did not comment. Preserve the access history, too.
Yes, ma'am. Dugan lowered his voice. Sheriff, we should discuss this privately. We will.
After preservation begins, Dugan said nothing further. Maya moved toward the evidence room with Reeves and Porter, leaving Mercer near the booking desk. Mercer looked at Dugan. Dugan did not look back.
Several minutes later, Dugan entered his office alone and closed the door. For the first time that night, he allowed himself to show concern. Then he sat down and reviewed what had already been done. The memory card had been broken.
The original seal was gone. Several pages had been shredded. The evidence packaging had been replaced. Mercer's report had already been rewritten.
Dugan leaned back in his chair. The woman they had detained was now the sheriff. That changed the politics. It changed the command structure.
It changed who could ask questions, but a title could not restore evidence that no longer existed. By the time his breathing settled, Dugan had convinced himself that one fact still protected him. Most of the truth, he believed, had already been destroyed.
Within minutes of Maya's order, the sheriff's office began to operate differently. Michael Reeves contacted the state investigative bureau and requested an independent team to preserve the evidence connected to Maya's detention. Helen Porter remained near the administrative desk, documenting which county records were being secured and who still had access to them. Maya stood outside the evidence room but did not enter.
Reeves noticed. You can go in, he said quietly. No. Not until an outside investigator is present. This is your department now.
That's exactly why I'm staying out. Reeves nodded. Understood. Maya looked through the glass at the black metal case.
The packaging had changed since Mercer removed it from the Bentley. The numbered seal was gone, and several evidence labels appeared newer than the others. "What was the original condition of that case when it arrived?" she asked. Noah answered from behind her. open.
The seal had already been broken on the roadside. Who repackaged it? Noah hesitated. I saw Captain Dugan in evidence processing later.
Dugan had returned from his office and was standing several feet away. I conducted a supervisory review, he said. Maya turned toward him. Did that review include changing the packaging?
The original packaging was compromised. Who documented that? I did. Before or after you changed it, Dugan's expression remained controlled.
Sheriff, I understand how this looks, but evidence gets repackaged all the time when the original condition is unsuitable. Maya did not argue. Then the documentation should support you. Dugan said nothing.
Mercer remained near the booking area. He had stopped trying to defend himself loudly. Now he watched every conversation, especially when anyone mentioned the dash camera. An outside investigator arrived shortly after 12:30.
Special agent Karen Blake from the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation entered with a digital evidence specialist and a second investigator assigned to physical evidence preservation. Blake introduced herself to Maya. Sheriff Williams. Agent Blake, I understand you're the complaining party and also assumed office tonight.
That's correct. I'll need your statement later, but I want to establish something first. Are you directing this investigation? No. Good.
Maya gestured toward Reeves. County counsel requested independent preservation. Anything involving my detention, vehicle, or seized property goes through your team. Blake nodded.