Monica watched Grant disappear down the corridor.
For the first time since he had struck her, she had enough space to breathe without wondering whether a sudden movement would provoke another confrontation.
But she was not yet free to leave.
Lewis explained that the inspection had to be resolved through the appropriate process, and that Monica would be given information about the status of her belongings once the relevant checks were complete. She also explained that the incident involving Grant would be documented separately from the question of the suspected substance.
Monica accepted the explanation, though she remained cautious.
Monica Reed: "I understand that you need to review the records. I also want a copy of the incident reference number and confirmation that my statement has been entered into the file."
Supervisor Lewis: "I will provide the incident reference and confirm the reporting procedure. You will also be told how to request the relevant records through the appropriate channel."
Monica Reed: "Thank you."
Lewis wrote down the reference number and handed Monica a small card containing the details. Monica checked the information, then placed it securely in her handbag.
She had learned long ago that verbal assurances could be forgotten, misunderstood, or described differently after the fact. Written records mattered. Time stamps mattered. Names mattered. Every detail that could be verified was another piece of information that might help establish what had really happened.
At the workstation, Parker received a message from the control unit.
Officer Parker: "Supervisor, they have confirmed that the original footage is secured. The administrator is checking the time stamps now."
Supervisor Lewis: "Has the audit history been preserved?"
Officer Parker: "The request is pending. They need authorization from the security systems manager."
Supervisor Lewis: "Escalate the request through the proper channel and record the time it was submitted."
Parker entered the update into the incident notes.
A few seconds later, another notification appeared on the screen. Parker read it, then looked at Lewis with an expression of surprise.
Supervisor Lewis: "What is it?"
Officer Parker: "The administrator has located the secondary screening authorization reference. They are requesting permission to release the associated details for the incident review."
Supervisor Lewis: "Approve the request through the proper process. Make sure the access is documented."
Officer Parker: "Yes, ma'am."
Monica looked between them.
Monica Reed: "Does the authorization relate to my suitcase?"
Supervisor Lewis: "It appears to be associated with the inspection record, but we need to verify the details before making any conclusions."
Monica Reed: "Understood."
Lewis turned back toward the workstation, leaving Monica with more questions than answers. The inspection had begun with a simple claim that a suspicious substance had been found in her suitcase. It had escalated into a physical confrontation, and now the records associated with the inspection were revealing additional steps that none of them had yet fully explained.
Monica remained calm, but her thoughts moved quickly.
Who had authorized the secondary screening?
What information had been available to the officers before the suitcase was opened?
Why had the system recorded an earlier access event?
And would the complete footage show anything that the written inspection log failed to capture?
She did not know.
She would not pretend to know.
But she intended to find out.
Across the room, Lewis received a call from the security systems manager. She listened without interrupting, then asked the caller to repeat a reference number. After checking the number against her notes, she requested that the manager send the authorization details directly to the incident file.
Supervisor Lewis: "I want the original entry, the audit history, and the identity of every account that accessed the record during the relevant period. Please include the exact time stamps."
She paused to listen.
Supervisor Lewis: "No, do not summarize the changes. We need the original record and the complete history of any amendments."
Another pause followed.
Supervisor Lewis: "Thank you. Please contact me as soon as the files are ready."
Lewis ended the call and remained still for a moment, looking at the information on her tablet.
Parker waited for her instructions.
Monica watched from beside the inspection table, her suitcase still open and the transparent bag still untouched.
The next stage of the investigation had begun, but the most important questions remained unanswered. The surveillance footage had been preserved, the medical assessment had been recorded, and the inspection logs were being examined. Yet none of those steps had established how the white substance had entered the suitcase or why the record contained an access event before the manual inspection was marked as started.