I'll handle the evidence. The specialist stopped the video when the recording segment ended. Mercer shifted his weight. That doesn't show what happened afterward.
Blake looked at him. It shows enough for us to compare it with your report. Dugan spoke. This is Mercer's roadside contact.
I wasn't there. Mercer turned toward him immediately. Dugan continued. I responded later.
Based on information provided to me. Mercer stared at him. You reviewed everything. I reviewed what was brought into the station.
You helped write the report. Dugan's expression changed. Watch what you're saying. Mercer gave a short, disbelieving laugh.
You told me exactly how to write it. Blake raised one hand. Both of you stop. You will be interviewed separately.
Mercer looked at Dugan for several seconds before turning away. Maya saw what had just happened. The loyalty between them was beginning to fail. The specialist opened the synchronization log.
There's more. Blake moved closer. What kind of more? Metadata, upload times, device status, disconnect events, file completion records.
The camera stopped transmitting only after it was removed from the vehicle, but the roadside segments had already completed synchronization. He pointed to the screen. The copy on the card was not the original record anymore. Mercer looked toward the broken memory card sealed on the evidence table.
For hours, he had believed destroying that card had removed the most dangerous evidence. It had only removed the copy he could reach. Maya stepped back from the workstation. Agent Blake, you have what you need from me for now.
Yes, I'll stay available, but I don't want to participate in the review. Blake nodded. That's appropriate. Maya left the technical area with Reeves.
Inside, the specialist shifted his attention from the recovered video to the sheriff's office evidence database. He compared the camera's remote timestamps with the local intake record. His expression became more serious. The camera was functioning before arrival, but somebody changed its evidence status after it entered this building.
Dugan answered immediately. Routine reclassification. The specialist looked at the access history. Maybe I'll need the original audit trail.
Noah had been silent until then. He stepped forward. I can show you where to look. Every person in the room turned toward him.
Noah looked first at Blake, then briefly at Dugan. I preserved the original status before it started changing. Blake asked Noah to step into a small conference room away from Mercer and Dugan. The digital evidence specialist followed with a laptop while another investigator closed the door.
Noah remained standing until Blake pointed to a chair. Sit down, Deputy Bennett. He sat and placed his hands on the table. Blake opened a fresh interview form.
Before we look at anything you preserved, I need you to tell me exactly what you did and why. Noah nodded. When the dash camera came into evidence, the intake record said there was no usable data. I knew the camera had been active on the roadside.
How did you know? I saw the indicator light. I also heard Mercer ask how long it had been recording. Did you personally view the footage?