Maya Williams. The delivery man called as Maya. Denise and Lena reached the steps of the Franklin County Courthouse. Maya turned. The man wore a plain gray delivery uniform with no visible company logo.
In one hand, he carried a charcoal colored hard shell case secured with a combination lock and an unbroken seal. That's me. He held out the case. Direct delivery only. Maya studied it before accepting it.
Who sent it? I wasn't given a name. What company are you with? I only received instructions to deliver this directly to you. Lena looked at the scanner in his hand.
Do you have a tracking number? Dispatch handled that. Which dispatch? The man hesitated. I don't have any other information, ma'am.
Maya took the case by the handle without touching the seal. Do I need to sign? No, I just need to confirm delivery. He entered the handoff into his scanner, nodded, and turned away. Denise called after him.
If there's a problem, how do we contact you? He looked back. Anything you need should be with the package. Then he left. Maya examined the case.
There was no return address, shipping label, or sender's name. A small folded card had been placed beneath the handle. Lena noticed it immediately. Don't open the case. I wasn't planning to.
Maya removed the card without disturbing the seal and unfolded it. What's inside will bring down Apex Meridian, but it only matters if it is opened in front of the judge. Denise read the message beside her. Do you know who sent this? No.
Could Harold have arranged it? He would have told us. Lena looked at the intact seal. Then we treat it as material from an unknown source. Nobody opens it until we know where it came from.
Maya agreed. If the contents were genuine evidence, opening the case without establishing its source could create problems with authentication and chain of custody. If the delivery was a setup, opening it could create an even greater problem. We keep it sealed, Maya said. If anyone examines it, that happens under court supervision.
She was about to place the note in her leather folio when a man spoke behind them. Set the case down. The three women turned. Sergeant Daniel Mercer stood several feet away in uniform, blocking their path toward the courthouse entrance. One hand rested near the baton on his duty belt.
Maya kept the case at her side. Excuse me? The case? Put it on the ground and step away. On what basis?
I received an emergency courthouse security notification about a suspicious sealed container being brought into the building. Maya looked directly at him. Who reported it? That's not relevant. Courthouse security.
I said it's not relevant. A judge. Mercer's expression tightened. I'm not debating procedure with you. Put the case down.
Has a crime been reported. I'm giving you a lawful security directive. Then identify the legal basis for that directive. Mercer pointed toward the ground. Put the case down.
Maya did not move. The seal is intact. If you intend to seize the case, state the reason and document the transfer. Are you refusing to cooperate with a police investigation? I'm asking you to identify the investigation.
You're interfering with courthouse security. Denise spoke. What exactly are we interfering with? Mercer turned toward her. The investigation I'm conducting that doesn't identify an offense.
Denise replied. Keep pushing and you'll become part of it. Maya stepped into the exchange before it went further. You stopped all three of us. She's already part of the encounter.
Mercer looked back at Maya, then raised a hand to the body camera on his chest. A soft beep sounded. Lena watched the indicator light change. Mercer lowered his hand. Put the case down.
Denise started to reach for her phone. Mercer moved his hand more firmly onto the baton at his belt. Keep your hands visible. Denise stopped. Maya remained calm.
No one here has threatened you. I determine what creates a security concern. You can assess a concern, Maya said. You still have to explain the authority you're using. Mercer ignored her.
I know what kind of material is being moved in that case. Maya focused on him. What kind? Potentially unauthorized corporate records. Denise looked at Maya.
Lena's attention shifted from Mercer's body camera to his face. Maya waited a moment before asking. Which corporation? Mercer did not answer. You said corporate records.
Maya continued. How do you know that? I'm not answering your questions. You knew this case was coming. I told you I received a security notification.
That doesn't explain how you know what may be inside a sealed case. Mercer stepped closer. This conversation is over. Put it down. Maya lowered the case carefully to the ground.
I'm complying with your order, she said. I am not consenting to a search, seizure, or opening of the case. Mercer gave a short nod. That's better. Maya said nothing.
The delivery had happened only moments earlier. She had never told Mercer about the note, had never mentioned Apex Meridian, and had never described the contents as corporate records. Yet Mercer had arrived ready to stop them, and already knew what the case might contain. Lena glanced once more at his body camera. It was still off.
Maya now had a second problem to solve. Someone had known the case was coming before it reached her. Mercer looked down at the charcoal case and then at Maya. Step away from it. Maya moved back one step.