“Use the validation procedure.”
Rebecca turned toward Ben.
“Close the screen.”
Ben remained still.
“Lieutenant?”
“You heard me.”
“It says valid.”
“Close it.”
Ben swallowed.
There were moments early in a police career when the academy seemed far away and the hierarchy standing beside you seemed much more immediate.
Rebecca Sloan wrote part of Ben’s probationary review.
A poor evaluation could extend probation.
A pattern of “insubordination” could end a career before it properly began.
Ben moved the cursor.
He clicked the window closed.
Maya watched him do it.
She said nothing.
That was somehow worse.
Rebecca pointed to the black case.
“We’re going to hold that until we determine exactly who you are and what you brought into this station.”
Maya placed one hand on the handle.
“If you take custody of the case without completing validation, its remote seal protocol will activate.”
Rebecca stared at her.
“Is that a threat?”
“No. It is information about the security system.”
“What happens?”
“The case locks. The transfer event is recorded. Federal security receives the event data.”
“So it sends a message somewhere.”
“Yes.”
Rebecca gave Ben a look that suggested this was proof of precisely what she feared.
“Take your hand off the case.”
Maya complied.
Rebecca lifted the credential.
It was black with a narrow silver border, a photograph, Maya’s name, an encrypted strip, a federal authority seal, and a small printed validation number.
Rebecca turned it over.
Then back again.
“You expect me to let an unidentified person into our evidence system because two computers tell me to?”
“One computer has verified me.”
“Your system could have been compromised.”
“Then call the validation number.”
Rebecca looked at the card.
For perhaps two seconds, Ben thought she might.
Instead, she gripped the credential in both hands.
The plastic cracked.
Ben’s eyes widened.
Rebecca tore it completely in half.
The sound was small.
The effect was immediate.
The indicator on Maya’s black case changed from green to amber.
Then red.
Two quiet mechanical clicks came from inside the housing.
Both latches locked.
Nobody spoke.
Rebecca looked at the case.
Maya looked at the two pieces of her credential.
Then she looked back at Rebecca.
“Now you have created a custody event.”
Rebecca set the torn halves on the counter.
“What does that mean?”
“The credential destruction and attempted case seizure have been registered remotely.”
Rebecca’s jaw tightened.
“Name.”
“You already have it.”
“Employer.”
“Use the validation line.”
“You’re refusing?”
“I’m following the restrictions attached to the credential.”
Ben looked at Rebecca.
“Lieutenant, we should probably call.”
Rebecca ignored him.
She looked directly at Maya.
“You are going to remain here while we determine whether that credential was legitimate and whether the case contains equipment intended to compromise our network.”
Maya gave a small nod.
“Then you’re detaining me.”
“I’m securing a suspicious person.”
“Use whatever term you believe is accurate.”
Rebecca pointed toward the hallway.
“Interview room two.”
Maya picked up nothing.
The case remained on the front counter.
She walked with Rebecca without resistance.
Before Rebecca opened the interview-room door, Maya stopped.
“Lieutenant.”
Rebecca looked back.
“You’re going to run an internal verification.”
Rebecca said nothing.
“It will confirm the first result.”
Still nothing.