"Those are police records."
Judge Carter looked at him.
"You will speak when recognized."
He sat back.
I continued. "The materials include copies lawfully provided by the city inspector general, employee whistleblowers, court discovery archives, public records, and records produced under subpoena. Some are confidential. None belong to Officer Vance personally."
"Did you notify him that you were coming?"
"No."
"Did you notify his unit?"
"No."
"Did you notify any command officer in the Westbridge Police Department?"
"No, Your Honor. That would have violated the preservation protocol."
Vance laughed once under his breath.
Judge Carter looked at him again.
"Officer, you will have an opportunity."
Then she asked the question I had been hoping she would ask in public record.
"Ms. Brooks, why did preservation protocol prohibit notice to the department?"
I took a breath.
"Because there was evidence that records under review had been altered after internal inquiries were announced."
The courtroom seemed to narrow around those words.
Vance's eyes dropped to the table.
Judge Carter's voice stayed neutral.
"Altered by whom?"
"That is among the issues documented in the sealed audit."
Vance pushed back from the table.
"This is exactly what I'm talking about. She has stolen confidential law-enforcement files and is making accusations without context."
Judge Carter held up one hand.
"Officer Vance, you are now recognized. Explain precisely why you approached Ms. Brooks."
He straightened.
"I received a security alert that an individual was carrying restricted police material into the courthouse without authorization. I recognized Ms. Brooks from an internal bulletin. I attempted to secure the material pending verification."
"What bulletin?"
"Departmental security bulletin."
"Who issued it?"
"Command staff."
"Name."
He hesitated.
"Deputy Chief Marcus Vale."
That name had appeared in the briefcase even more often than Vance's.
Judge Carter glanced at me. I gave no visible reaction.
"What did the bulletin say?" she asked.
Vance shifted. "That Ms. Brooks may attempt to remove or distribute restricted records and that officers were authorized to recover department property."
"Do you have the bulletin?"
"On my phone."
"Has anyone asked to see your phone?"
"No."