Ethan looked uncomfortable.
ETHAN MILLER: "Because I didn't know what was inside the case."
ALINA BROOKS: "You don't need to know what was inside. You need to tell us what you saw."
Ethan nodded.
ETHAN MILLER: "I was afraid."
ALINA BROOKS: "Of whom?"
ETHAN MILLER: "All of them."
He looked down.
ETHAN MILLER: "Officer Mitchell told me once that people who made trouble in this department never lasted long. He said he knew people who could make sure I never worked in law enforcement again."
Alina closed her notebook.
ALINA BROOKS: "Did he threaten you directly?"
ETHAN MILLER: "Not in writing."
ALINA BROOKS: "Did anyone else hear it?"
ETHAN MILLER: "A dispatcher named Maria was nearby."
ALINA BROOKS: "We'll speak with her."
Ethan looked toward the envelope.
ETHAN MILLER: "I thought if I left the note in that drawer, someone might find it before the records disappeared."
ALINA BROOKS: "Why did you choose today?"
ETHAN MILLER: "Because I heard that a federal inspector was coming."
Alina paused.
ALINA BROOKS: "Who told you?"
ETHAN MILLER: "I heard Ryan Mitchell talking on the phone yesterday."
ALINA BROOKS: "What did he say?"
ETHAN MILLER: "He said someone from federal oversight was coming to look at the evidence records. He told the person on the phone that they needed to clear the old files before the inspection."
Alina's expression hardened.
ALINA BROOKS: "Did he mention who called him?"
ETHAN MILLER: "No. But he said something about the chief's office already knowing."
That was the first direct indication that the confrontation over her badge might have been more than an act of personal arrogance.
Ryan had known about the inspection.
He might have been instructed to delay her.
He might have been trying to prevent her from reaching the evidence records while the original files were being removed.
Alina looked at Nathan.
ALINA BROOKS: "We need Ryan Mitchell's phone records under the appropriate authorization. Preserve his department communications and all messages from yesterday."
Nathan nodded.
NATHAN BROOKS: "I'll submit the request."
Ethan shifted uncomfortably.
ETHAN MILLER: "Agent Brooks?"
ALINA BROOKS: "Yes?"
ETHAN MILLER: "There's something else."
ALINA BROOKS: "Go ahead."
ETHAN MILLER: "I don't think Mr. Dawson left with all the records."
ALINA BROOKS: "Why?"
ETHAN MILLER: "Because he told someone last week that the original list had already been moved."
ALINA BROOKS: "Moved where?"
Ethan shook his head.
ETHAN MILLER: "I don't know. But he mentioned a place called the old maintenance depot."
Alina looked at Nathan.
NATHAN BROOKS: "The city maintenance depot?"
ETHAN MILLER: "I think so. The one near the eastern industrial road."
Alina wrote down the location.
ALINA BROOKS: "Do you know who owns it?"
ETHAN MILLER: "No."
ALINA BROOKS: "Who else heard the conversation?"
ETHAN MILLER: "I don't know."
Alina stood.
ALINA BROOKS: "Thank you for coming forward."
Ethan looked surprised.
ETHAN MILLER: "Are you going to tell them I spoke to you?"
ALINA BROOKS: "Your statement will be protected according to the applicable procedures. We will also document any threats or retaliation."
Ethan nodded.
But he still looked worried.
ETHAN MILLER: "They know I was near the office when you arrived."
ALINA BROOKS: "Then we will make sure you are not left alone to deal with this."
The federal agent escorted Ethan to another room to complete his statement.
Alina and Nathan returned to the operations floor.
The department was becoming increasingly tense.
Chief Hayes had gone into his private office.
Deputy Chief Lawson was speaking with an attorney by telephone.
Ryan Mitchell had stopped speaking to the other officers.
Captain Whitaker was reviewing the evidence access list.
And Peter Dawson was still missing.
Alina approached the chief's office.
The door was slightly open.
She knocked.
CHIEF MARTIN HAYES: "Come in."
Alina entered.
Hayes was standing behind his desk.
A large photograph of the department's first police chief hung on the wall behind him.
On the desk were several framed commendations and a polished metal nameplate.
He looked up.
CHIEF MARTIN HAYES: "Agent Brooks. What can I do for you?"
ALINA BROOKS: "I need to ask you about the evidence transfers."
CHIEF MARTIN HAYES: "I've already told you that the department will cooperate."
ALINA BROOKS: "Officer Miller has provided a statement indicating that he witnessed you and Deputy Chief Lawson entering the evidence administration office together approximately four months ago."