Dugan leaned back slightly. You've been very careful about what you say. I usually am. Are you an attorney?
Maya did not answer. Investigator. She remained silent. State employee, you have my identification.
Dugan looked down at the blank page in front of him. Your identification tells me your name and address. It doesn't explain why confidential internal review files were found in your trunk. They weren't found.
Deputy Mercer opened a sealed case after I told him not to. He believed the material might be stolen. After breaking the seal, Dugan looked up. You seem more interested in procedure than in clearing yourself.
I'm interested in both. Then help me understand why you were carrying those records. Maya rested her hands on the table. Captain, the case had a numbered seal, an internal review label, and custody information.
Your deputy could have verified all of it before opening anything. He was dealing with a driver who repeatedly refused instructions. I refused a search. There's a difference.
Depending on the circumstances, there is. That's why the circumstances matter. Dugan said nothing for several seconds. Maya's tone never changed, but he could tell she knew more than an ordinary driver usually knew about evidence handling.
He changed direction. Do you know Deputy Mercer? No. Have you ever met him before today? No. Then why was his name in the files?
Maya looked at him. You should ask the people who prepared them. That's not an answer. It's the correct answer.
Dugan closed the legal pad. You're making this harder than it needs to be. No, Captain. Someone else already did that.
He stood, collected his coffee, and left the room. Mercer was waiting outside. "Well," he asked. Dugan motioned toward his office.
Noah watched them go in and closed the door. Inside, Dugan placed Mercer's preliminary report on the desk. "Start from the beginning."
Mercer remained standing. I saw the Bentley, ran the plate, got an administrative delay, and pulled her over. Did dispatch ever report the car stolen? No. Did registration eventually clear?
Mercer hesitated. Yes. Dugan looked at him. Before or after you broke the windows?
Mercer said nothing. Dugan already knew the answer. What exactly did she do that you're calling obstruction? She kept refusing orders.
Which orders? Open the car. Give me the key. Let me search.
Dugan rubbed his forehead. That is not how you write this. Mercer frowned. What do you mean?
You don't write that she refused to let you search. You write that she repeatedly refused lawful instructions during an active investigation. That's what happened. Then use language you can defend.
Mercer sat down. Dugan pulled the report closer. The database delay created an administrative concern. You continued the stop while verifying ownership.