Mercer studied the page.
His eyes moved to the initials.
R.P.
“I've never authorized a transfer to that facility.”
“Do you recognize the name?”
“No.”
“Does the department have a contract with Meridian?”
“Not to my knowledge.”
“Does it have any approved arrangement with a private storage company for controlled substances?”
Mercer shook his head.
“Not that I know of.”
“Who would have authority to approve an external transfer?”
“The evidence supervisor would initiate the request. The department's property officer would document it. Anything involving controlled substances leaving an approved facility should require additional authorization.”
“Who was the evidence supervisor during the period shown in this record?”
“Lieutenant Raymond Pike.”
Claire made a note.
“Was Pike authorized to arrange temporary storage?”
“He had supervisory responsibilities. But not independent authority to move narcotics to an unapproved private warehouse.”
“Did he report such a transfer?”
Mercer looked down at the document again.
“Not to me.”
Claire waited.
The silence was long enough to become uncomfortable.
“Chief,” she said, “I need you to understand that this is not simply a question of whether someone completed a form incorrectly. If controlled substances were removed from an evidence facility without authorization, the department may have a serious chain-of-custody problem.”
“I understand.”
“Every case connected to those substances could be affected. Prosecutors may need to reassess evidence previously presented in court. Defendants may have grounds to challenge the integrity of the exhibits. Officers may be asked to explain why records were changed.”
Mercer rubbed his forehead.
“I know what this could mean.”
“Then we need complete cooperation.”
“I'll provide it.”
Claire studied him.
“Yesterday, you said you remembered Robert Hayes.”
Mercer looked up.
“Yes.”
“What do you remember?”
“He was here about fourteen months ago. He asked for access to several files, including some old property records.”
“Did you give him access?”
“I approved the initial inspection.”
“But he did not complete it.”
“No.”
“Why?”
Mercer hesitated.
“Pike told me there were administrative issues.”
“What kind of issues?”
“He said Hayes was requesting records outside the scope of the review.”
“Did you verify that?”
“No. I relied on Pike's explanation.”
“Did you speak directly with Hayes?”
“Briefly.”
“What did he say?”
Mercer looked toward the closed door.
“He said he was having trouble reconciling the property ledger with the transfer records.”
Claire kept her expression neutral.
“Did he identify specific cases?”
“I don't remember.”
“Did he mention Meridian Logistics?”
Mercer shook his head.
“Not that I recall.”
“Did he say he was being denied access?”
Mercer did not answer immediately.
Then he said, “He told me he had requested access to the archive and had not received it.”
“Who denied that request?”
“Pike.”
“Did you reverse the decision?”
“No.”
“Why not?”
Mercer looked uncomfortable.
“I was told the archive contained records unrelated to the inspection.”
“Did you ask to see those records?”
“No.”
Claire wrote something in her notebook.
She was not interested in humiliating Mercer. But she needed to establish whether he had merely failed to supervise his department or had knowingly participated in restricting an official inspection.
“Chief, I want a copy of the correspondence concerning Hayes's review, including the original request for archive access, the response, and any internal communication about his reassignment.”
“I'll arrange that.”
“Please preserve the original messages and metadata. We do not want screenshots in place of the source records.”
Mercer nodded.
Before leaving, Claire asked one final question.
“Where is Lieutenant Pike now?”
“Administrative leave. He was notified of the preservation order.”
“Has he been interviewed?”
“Not yet.”
“Good. Please do not conduct an informal interview about the substance of this investigation before we coordinate with the federal team.”
Mercer looked at her.
“You think he might be involved?”
“I think his name appears in records that require authentication. That's all I can say at this stage.”
Patricia Sloan was waiting in the evidence administration office.
She looked nervous.
The moment Claire entered, Patricia closed the door behind them.
“I received a call last night,” she said.
“From whom?”
“I don't know the number. It was a blocked call.”
“What did the caller say?”
Patricia took a breath.
“They asked whether I had given you anything from the old archive.”
“Did you?”
“No. I told you about the email, but I haven't sent it anywhere.”
“What else?”
“They said I should be careful about getting involved in things that were already settled.”
Olivia exchanged a glance with Claire.
“Did the caller identify themselves?” Olivia asked.
“No.”
“Did you recognize the voice?”
“Not clearly. It sounded like a man, but I can't be certain.”
“Did you save the call?”
“I wrote down the time. My phone doesn't record calls.”
Claire opened her notebook.
“Patricia, I need you to understand that you should not investigate this yourself. Don't contact the caller. Don't confront anyone. Don't search through records beyond your normal duties.”
“I haven't.”
“Good. If anyone contacts you again, document it and notify us through the agreed channel.”
Patricia nodded.
Claire continued.
“You mentioned an email titled ‘Closeout Instructions — Hayes Review.’”
“Yes.”
“Where is it stored?”
“In my old department mailbox. I still have access because it was never migrated properly.”
“Is it an original email?”
“Yes.”
“Do you know whether it has an attachment?”
“I remember seeing a paperclip icon. I never opened it.”
“Do you remember who sent it?”
Patricia looked down.
“Lieutenant Pike.”
“Do you remember the date?”
“About two weeks after Hayes left.”
“Can you show us the message?”
Patricia hesitated.
“I'm worried that if I open it, someone will know.”
Claire understood.