If the recording remained intact, his report would have to explain every decision visible on the screen. He opened the file menu and selected delete. A confirmation message appeared. He accepted it.
Then he deleted the remaining files from the card. After that, he formatted the storage. The computer asked for confirmation. He selected yes.
When the process finished, the directory showed no files. Mercer removed the card, waited several seconds, then inserted it again. Still empty, he formatted it a second time. No files remained.
Mercer leaned back in the seat and looked out at the Bentley. From where he sat, he could see broken glass on the seats and pavement. The older woman was still nearby with her phone. Noah was now speaking with the tow driver who had just arrived.
Mercer placed the memory card back into the camera and turned the unit off. He opened the patrol car door and stepped outside. Noah looked toward him. What were you doing?
Checking the camera. Anything on it. Mercer walked past him. Corrupted.
Noah watched him for a moment. It was recording when you took it. Recording doesn't mean the files saved. Noah glanced at the device in Mercer's hand.
You already checked the storage? Mercer stopped. You have a problem with that? I'm asking and I answered.
Mercer placed the camera inside a clear evidence bag but did not seal it. Let's go. Maya was placed in the rear of Noah's patrol vehicle for transport. Mercer took custody of the black case and secured it in his own unit.
Before Noah closed the rear door, Maya looked at him. Who has the camera? Mercer? Was it logged?
Noah hesitated. Not yet. Maya nodded once. Remember that?
Noah closed the door. The drive to the Carver County Sheriff's Office took less than half an hour.
By the time they arrived, daylight had begun to fade. The sheriff's headquarters was a low brick county building near the courthouse square. Sunday evening, staffing was light. Only a few patrol deputies, dispatchers, and administrative employees were inside.
A local weather report played on a television mounted near the booking area. Someone had left a paper cup of coffee beside a stack of forms. A deputy at a desk was finishing a reheated chicken sandwich while typing an incident report. When Maya entered in handcuffs, several people looked up.
No one recognized her. The booking officer was a woman in her late 50s with short gray hair and reading glasses hanging from a cord around her neck. "Name?"
"Maya Williams."
The officer asked for her date of birth, and Maya answered. "Address?" She provided it. The officer typed the information into the system. Occupation. Maya paused briefly.
County administration. The booking officer looked up. What kind of county administration? Transition work.
Mercer stood behind Maya. She was found with restricted internal review material. The booking officer glanced at him, then back at Maya. Any weapons?