Hayes did not move.
CHIEF MARTIN HAYES: "He's mistaken."
ALINA BROOKS: "He says you were carrying a black case."
CHIEF MARTIN HAYES: "I carry documents all the time."
ALINA BROOKS: "Did you enter the evidence office that evening?"
CHIEF MARTIN HAYES: "I don't remember."
ALINA BROOKS: "Did you authorize any evidence transfers outside the approved system?"
CHIEF MARTIN HAYES: "No."
ALINA BROOKS: "Did you authorize any changes to the original inventory?"
CHIEF MARTIN HAYES: "No."
Alina placed a copy of the transfer list on his desk.
ALINA BROOKS: "Then perhaps you can explain why your administrative account was used to attempt to delete these entries this morning."
Hayes examined the document.
CHIEF MARTIN HAYES: "I did not authorize that."
ALINA BROOKS: "Someone used your credentials."
CHIEF MARTIN HAYES: "Apparently."
ALINA BROOKS: "Who had access to your office?"
CHIEF MARTIN HAYES: "My administrative assistant. Deputy Chief Lawson. Captain Whitaker. A few senior staff members."
ALINA BROOKS: "And Ryan Mitchell?"
Hayes looked up.
CHIEF MARTIN HAYES: "Why would you ask about him?"
ALINA BROOKS: "Because he knew about the inspection before I arrived."
Hayes's expression changed.
CHIEF MARTIN HAYES: "How do you know that?"
ALINA BROOKS: "A witness heard him discussing it yesterday."
CHIEF MARTIN HAYES: "Who?"
ALINA BROOKS: "That information is part of the investigation."
Hayes sat down.
For a moment, he appeared older than he had earlier that morning.
CHIEF MARTIN HAYES: "Agent Brooks, I want you to understand something. This department has been through difficult periods. We've had staffing shortages, budget problems, and pressure from the city. Some of our administrative procedures may not be perfect."
ALINA BROOKS: "That does not explain missing evidence."
CHIEF MARTIN HAYES: "I'm not saying it does."
ALINA BROOKS: "Then what are you saying?"
Hayes looked toward the window.
CHIEF MARTIN HAYES: "I'm saying there are people here who have been trying to keep this department functioning. Sometimes they make decisions without considering how those decisions might appear later."
ALINA BROOKS: "Are you suggesting that someone moved evidence because they thought it was necessary to keep the department functioning?"
CHIEF MARTIN HAYES: "I'm not suggesting anything."
ALINA BROOKS: "Then I need a direct answer. Did you know that seized property was being transferred to an unregistered storage location?"
Hayes remained silent.
Alina waited.
Finally, he spoke.
CHIEF MARTIN HAYES: "I knew there had been temporary storage arrangements."
ALINA BROOKS: "Who approved them?"
CHIEF MARTIN HAYES: "Deputy Chief Lawson handled the administrative side."
ALINA BROOKS: "Did you know the facilities were not authorized to receive federal evidence?"
CHIEF MARTIN HAYES: "I was told the arrangements had been reviewed."
ALINA BROOKS: "By whom?"
CHIEF MARTIN HAYES: "I don't remember."
ALINA BROOKS: "Did you receive financial benefits?"
Hayes looked at her sharply.
CHIEF MARTIN HAYES: "Absolutely not."
ALINA BROOKS: "Did anyone in your family receive payments from companies connected to the storage arrangements?"
Hayes did not answer immediately.
The silence was enough to make Alina pay closer attention.
CHIEF MARTIN HAYES: "What are you implying?"
ALINA BROOKS: "I'm asking a question."
CHIEF MARTIN HAYES: "My family has nothing to do with police evidence."
ALINA BROOKS: "Then the financial records should establish that."
Hayes stood.
CHIEF MARTIN HAYES: "I think this conversation should end until I have legal representation."
Alina nodded.
ALINA BROOKS: "That's your right."
She collected her documents.
But before she reached the door, Hayes spoke again.
CHIEF MARTIN HAYES: "Agent Brooks."
She turned.
CHIEF MARTIN HAYES: "You need to be careful about who you trust in this building."
ALINA BROOKS: "I don't trust people because of their position."
CHIEF MARTIN HAYES: "That's not what I mean."
ALINA BROOKS: "Then what do you mean?"
Hayes looked at the closed door.
CHIEF MARTIN HAYES: "Some people have been involved in this longer than you realize."
ALINA BROOKS: "Who?"
Hayes lowered his voice.
CHIEF MARTIN HAYES: "I don't know how far it goes."
ALINA BROOKS: "You just said you knew about the temporary storage arrangements."
CHIEF MARTIN HAYES: "I knew about the arrangements. I didn't know what was happening to the evidence."
ALINA BROOKS: "Then tell me who approved the arrangements."
Hayes looked toward his desk.
He seemed to be struggling with a decision.
Finally, he opened a drawer and removed a small folder.
He placed it on the desk.
CHIEF MARTIN HAYES: "These are the original approval requests I received."