I'm not going to. That answer caught him off guard. Maya turned to Reeves. Contact outside investigators. I want independent preservation of the physical and electronic evidence.

I will not conduct the criminal factf finding in a matter where I was detained. Reeves nodded. I'll make the calls. Maya looked toward Noah. Who handled the dash camera after it came into this building?

Noah hesitated. Mercer answered first. It arrived. corrupted. Maya did not look at him. I asked who handled it.

Noah said Mercer had it on the roadside. It came through evidence intake here. Captain Dugan later accessed the record. Dugan's eyes moved toward Noah. Maya noticed but did not comment.

Preserve the access history, too. Yes, ma'am. Dugan lowered his voice. Sheriff, we should discuss this privately. We will.

After preservation begins, Dugan said nothing further. Maya moved toward the evidence room with Reeves and Porter, leaving Mercer near the booking desk. Mercer looked at Dugan. Dugan did not look back. Several minutes later, Dugan entered his office alone and closed the door.

For the first time that night, he allowed himself to show concern. Then he sat down and reviewed what had already been done. The memory card had been broken. The original seal was gone. Several pages had been shredded.

The evidence packaging had been replaced. Mercer's report had already been rewritten. Dugan leaned back in his chair. The woman they had detained was now the sheriff. That changed the politics.

It changed the command structure. It changed who could ask questions, but a title could not restore evidence that no longer existed. By the time his breathing settled, Dugan had convinced himself that one fact still protected him. Most of the truth, he believed, had already been destroyed. Within minutes of Mia's order, the sheriff's office began to operate differently.

Michael Reeves contacted the state investigative bureau and requested an independent team to preserve the evidence connected to Mia's detention. Helen Porter remained near the administrative desk, documenting which county records were being secured and who still had access to them. Mia stood outside the evidence room but did not enter. Reeves noticed. You can go in, he said quietly.

No. Not until an outside investigator is present. This is your department now. That's exactly why I'm staying out. Reeves nodded.

Understood. Maya looked through the glass at the black metal case. The packaging had changed since Mercer removed it from the Bentley. The numbered seal was gone, and several evidence labels appeared newer than the others. "What was the original condition of that case when it arrived?" she asked.

Noah answered from behind her. open. The seal had already been broken on the roadside. Who repackaged it? Noah hesitated. I saw Captain Dugan in evidence processing later.

Dugan had returned from his office and was standing several feet away. I conducted a supervisory review, he said. Maya turned toward him. Did that review include changing the packaging? The original packaging was compromised.

Who documented that? I did. Before or after you changed it, Dugan's expression remained controlled. Sheriff, I understand how this looks, but evidence gets repackaged all the time when the original condition is unsuitable. Maya did not argue.

Then the documentation should support you. Dugan said nothing. Mercer remained near the booking area. He had stopped trying to defend himself loudly. Now he watched every conversation, especially when anyone mentioned the dash camera.

An outside investigator arrived shortly after 12:30. Special agent Karen Blake from the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation entered with a digital evidence specialist and a second investigator assigned to physical evidence preservation. Blake introduced herself to Maya. Sheriff Williams. Agent Blake, I understand you're the complaining party and also assumed office tonight.

That's correct. I'll need your statement later, but I want to establish something first. Are you directing this investigation? No. Good.

Maya gestured toward Reeves. County Council requested independent preservation. Anything involving my detention, vehicle, or seized property goes through your team. Blake nodded. That keeps the lines clean.

Dugan stepped forward. I'd like it noted that the department has been cooperating. Blake looked at him. We'll note whatever the records show. Her answer was neutral, but Dugan's face tightened slightly.

The preservation team began with the evidence room access log. They secured the dash camera, the damaged ME7ry card, the black case, all related packaging, and the intake paperwork. Digital staff made copies of the evidence management system logs before any further work continued. Blake reviewed the first inventory sheet. dash camera listed as corrupted on arrival. Mercer spoke immediately.

That's correct. Blake looked up. You personally determined that. Yes. When on the roadside, Noah's eyes shifted toward him.

Blake noticed. Deputy Bennett. Noah looked at her. Did you see the camera operating? Yes, ma'am.

Mercer turned toward him. Noah continued. The indicator was active before Mercer removed it from the Bentley. Mercer interrupted. That doesn't mean usable footage existed.

Blake held up one hand. I'll ask you separately. Mercer, stopped talking. The digital specialist examined the intake record. The equipment entry shows the device responded when it was first connected here, Dugan said.

Responding hardware does not prove readable media. No, the specialist replied. It doesn't. Maya remained silent. She had no need to argue.

Each answer was now being documented by people outside Dugan's authority. Blake moved to the black case. The original seal, Dugan replied. Compromised during the roadside search. Where is it?

No one answered immediately. Blake looked at Mercer. You broke it? Yes. Was the seal retained?