Mercer turned toward him. And I'm just making sure that goes in the intake. The property deputy looked between them. Mercer said, "Put down that it appeared active. Storage was unreadable." Noah did not respond, but he memorized the wording.

A few minutes later, the black metal case was placed on an evidence table. The property deputy examined the broken seal. Who opened this? I did, Mercer said. You verify the control number first.

Mercer's expression tightened. We had probable cause. That's not what I asked. Before Mercer could answer, the side door opened. Captain Raymond Dugan entered wearing dark slacks and an open collar white shirt.

He carried a convenience store coffee and looked irritated at having been called in on a Sunday night. What happened? Mercer gestured toward the case. Traffic stop turned into something bigger. Dugan set the coffee down and approached the table.

He read the label. Restricted internal review material. Then he opened one of the folders Mercer had removed from the case. His eyes moved down the page. His expression changed.

Who opened this? I told you. I did. Dugan looked at Mercer. Who else saw what was inside?

Mercer glanced toward Noah. Bennett. Dugan followed his eyes. Noah stood near the evidence workstation. Dugan closed the folder.

Then he looked through the window toward the interview room where Maya sat alone. She was not pacing. She was not demanding a lawyer. She was not asking to leave. She simply sat at the table with her hands folded in front of her.

Dugan watched her for several seconds. Who is she? Mercer replied. She won't say much. Dugan looked back at the file in his hand. find out who she is before anybody outside this building does.

Dugan entered the interview room carrying a legal pad and a paper cup of coffee. He closed the door behind him, set both on the table, and took the chair across from Maya. Miss Williams, he said. I'm Captain Raymond Dugan. Maya gave a small nod.

I understand you were stopped this evening with restricted county material in your vehicle. You understand what Deputy Mercer told you? Dugan studied her before opening the legal pad. Let's keep this simple. Where did you get the case?

The control number is printed on the seal. I saw the control number. I'm asking where you got it, and I'm telling you how to verify it. 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.

During that process, her behavior increased your suspicion. Mercer nodded slowly. Dugan continued. You observed indicators suggesting restricted material might be inside the vehicle. I didn't know about the case until I opened the trunk.