Martin paused.
“There is also a question about Robert Hayes.”
Claire sat upright.
“What about him?”
“We located him through federal personnel records. He's currently assigned to another regional office.”
“Has anyone contacted him?”
“Not yet. I wanted to speak with you first.”
Claire looked at Olivia.
“We should contact him through his current supervisor and ask whether he's willing to provide an interview.”
“Agreed. Don't approach him informally.”
“I understand.”
Martin's voice lowered.
“Claire, if Hayes was reassigned because he found evidence of misconduct, we may be looking at more than a property-management failure.”
“That's possible.”
“And if the records were altered after he left, we need to establish whether those alterations were part of a legitimate closeout or an attempt to conceal something.”
“Exactly.”
“Keep your team focused. We don't have the luxury of making assumptions.”
Claire ended the call.
For several seconds, she stared at the screen.
The case had begun with a police officer throwing a federal credential wallet into a trash bin.
Now it was expanding into a review of missing narcotics, questionable transfers, altered records, and a previous inspector whose work had never been completed.
She turned to Olivia.
“Let's find Hayes.”
Robert Hayes agreed to meet them two days later.
The meeting took place in a federal conference room at a regional office several hours from North River.
Hayes was in his late fifties. He wore a plain gray suit and carried a folder that looked as though it had been used for years.
He shook Claire's hand.
“Agent Bennett.”
“Mr. Hayes. Thank you for meeting with us.”
“I heard about the incident at North River.”
Claire took a seat.
“I'd rather begin with your previous inspection.”
Hayes gave a faint smile.
“That's probably wise.”
Olivia introduced herself and explained the purpose of the interview.
Hayes listened carefully.
Then he opened his folder.
“I began reviewing North River's narcotics property procedures fourteen months ago. The initial assignment was routine. We were checking whether the department's evidence records matched federal seizure documentation.”
“What prompted the review?” Claire asked.
“A discrepancy in a transfer receipt.”
“Which case?”
“NR-22610.”
Claire wrote it down.
“Was that case connected to the records we've identified?”
“I don't know. I haven't seen your current findings.”
“Tell us what you found.”
Hayes removed a sheet of paper.
“The local ledger showed a quantity of narcotics being transferred to a laboratory. The federal record showed a different quantity. At first, I thought it was a measurement issue. Then I found a second record showing the same property had been divided into separate containers.”
“Were both containers accounted for?”
“No.”
Claire looked at Olivia.
Hayes continued.
“I asked for the original property receipts, the transfer logs, and the archive records. The department provided some documents, but not all of them.”
“Who restricted your access?”
“Lieutenant Pike.”
“Did he give a reason?”
“He said the archive contained sealed administrative records and that my request was too broad.”
“Did you challenge that?”
“Several times.”
“What happened?”
“Pike said he would obtain approval from the chief. I waited. Nothing happened.”
“Did you speak with Chief Mercer?”
“Yes. He told me he would look into it.”
“Did he?”
“I don't know. I never received the requested access.”
Claire noted the distinction.
“Did you report the obstruction?”
“I documented it in my preliminary report.”
“Where is that report?”
Hayes looked down.
“I don't have the final version.”
“Why not?”
“Because I was instructed to transfer the assignment.”
“By whom?”
“My regional supervisor.”
“Did the supervisor explain why?”
“He said there were staffing requirements and that the North River review would be closed administratively.”
“Did you agree?”
“No.”
“Did you object in writing?”
“Yes.”
“Do you still have that correspondence?”
Hayes nodded.
“I retained a copy.”
Claire did not ask him to hand it over immediately.
“Can we arrange a proper collection?”
“Of course.”
Olivia asked, “Did anyone tell you that your findings were unfounded?”
“No.”
“Did anyone accuse you of exceeding your authority?”
“Pike did. He said I was trying to turn a routine compliance review into a criminal investigation.”
“Were you?”
Hayes considered the question.
“I was trying to determine whether the property records were reliable. If the records were incomplete, that was a problem regardless of whether anyone had committed a crime.”
Claire appreciated the answer.
“Did you ever hear the name Meridian Logistics and Storage?”
Hayes's expression changed.
He looked at Claire.
“Yes.”
“When?”
“During the final week of my assignment.”
“What did you learn?”
“I found a reference to a private storage facility in a handwritten transfer note. It wasn't included in the official property system.”
“Did you verify that the facility received narcotics?”
“No. I wasn't allowed to inspect the archive where the supporting documents were supposedly stored.”
“Did you know who owned the facility?”
“No.”
“Did you know who authorized the transfer?”
Hayes shook his head.
“I saw the initials R.P. on one document.”
Claire placed the printed archived entry on the table.
Hayes studied it.
“That looks similar to the note I saw.”
“Can you identify the handwriting?”
“Not from this copy. I'd need to see the original.”
“Do you remember who gave you the note?”
“An evidence clerk. I don't remember her name.”
“Could it have been Patricia Sloan?”
Hayes thought for a moment.
“Yes. That sounds familiar.”
Claire made another note.
“Did you ever discuss your findings with Pike?”
“Several times.”
“What did he say?”
“He insisted every transfer had been properly authorized. But when I asked for the receipts, he said the records were archived.”
“Did he ever show you the receipts?”
“No.”
“Did he mention a closeout process?”