Emily's expression remained controlled.
Emily Carter: "Did you provide the document?"
Thomas Reed: "No. I told them the original was in the archive and that I needed written authorization to remove it."
Emily: "What happened after that?"
Thomas Reed: "They told me to wait for further instructions."
Emily glanced at the clock.
It was now approaching 10:30 a.m.
The request had been made only the previous afternoon.
Someone had been attempting to locate the original document just before the federal agent arrived.
Emily turned toward Mitchell.
Emily Carter: "Captain, I think we need to secure that original receipt immediately."
Mitchell reached for the telephone.
But before he could make the call, the office phone rang.
He answered.
Captain Mitchell: "Mitchell speaking."
The person on the other end spoke quickly.
Mitchell listened without interrupting.
His expression changed.
Captain Mitchell: "When did this happen?"
He paused.
Captain Mitchell: "Who authorized it?"
Another pause.
Captain Mitchell: "Do not touch anything. Keep the area secure. I'm coming down."
He ended the call.
Emily stood immediately.
Emily Carter: "What happened?"
Mitchell looked at her.
Captain Mitchell: "The evidence room supervisor says someone has requested access to the archive. They are asking for the original September transfer receipts."
Emily felt a cold wave of concern.
Emily Carter: "Who made the request?"
Mitchell looked toward Thomas.
Captain Mitchell: "The request came from Lieutenant Collins' office."
Thomas lowered his eyes.
He already knew what that meant.
The preservation instruction had been issued less than an hour earlier, yet someone was still attempting to access the very records the department had been ordered to protect.
Emily picked up her folder.
Emily Carter: "Captain, we need to go there now. But please do not confront anyone until we know exactly what they are doing."
Mitchell nodded.
He opened the office door.
As they stepped into the corridor, a patrol officer approached them.
Officer: "Captain, Lieutenant Collins is asking to speak with you."
Mitchell stopped.
Captain Mitchell: "Where is he?"
Officer: "In the conference room, sir."
Emily looked toward the conference room.
The door was closed.
Through the narrow glass panel, she could see a figure standing beside the table.
It was Lieutenant Richard Collins.
He appeared to be waiting.
Emily quietly turned to Mitchell.
Emily Carter: "Don't tell him what Thomas has said. We need to preserve the evidence before discussing any allegations."
Mitchell nodded.
Captain Mitchell: "Understood."
They walked toward the conference room.
The moment Mitchell opened the door, Collins turned around.
Lieutenant Collins: "Captain. I was hoping to speak with you."
Mitchell remained near the doorway.
Captain Mitchell: "I understand you requested access to the original evidence records."
Collins looked briefly at Emily.
Then he smiled.
Lieutenant Collins: "There seems to be some confusion. I was only trying to resolve an administrative issue."
Emily watched him carefully.
Captain Mitchell: "The department has issued a preservation instruction. No original records are to be moved or altered."
Lieutenant Collins: "Of course. I have no intention of changing anything."
Emily stepped forward.
Emily Carter: "Then you should have no objection to explaining why your office requested the original September transfer receipt yesterday afternoon."
Collins looked at her.
For the first time, his expression showed a trace of irritation.
Lieutenant Collins: "I don't believe we've been properly introduced."
Emily Carter: "Emily Carter. Federal agent."
Collins gave a small nod.
Lieutenant Collins: "I've heard about your visit."
Emily Carter: "Then you know that the records are part of an active investigation."
Lieutenant Collins: "I know that the department is cooperating."
Emily Carter: "Good. Cooperation includes preserving original documents and maintaining an accurate record of every person who accesses them."
Collins placed his hands on the back of a chair.
Lieutenant Collins: "Agent, I have been working in law enforcement for twenty-seven years. I understand evidence procedures."
Emily Carter: "Then I'm sure you understand why the original records must remain untouched."
Collins looked at Mitchell.
Lieutenant Collins: "Captain, I don't think we need to turn a routine administrative request into a major issue."
Captain Mitchell: "That decision is no longer yours to make."
The words were calm, but firm.
Collins slowly released the chair.
Lieutenant Collins: "I see."
Emily noticed that he was no longer smiling.
She also noticed that he had not directly answered her question.
Emily Carter: "Who instructed your office to request the original receipt?"
Collins paused.
Lieutenant Collins: "I don't remember the specific request."
Emily Carter: "Would you like time to review your records before answering?"
Lieutenant Collins: "I said I don't remember."
Emily nodded.
Emily Carter: "All right. Your response will be documented."
Collins looked at the captain again.
Lieutenant Collins: "Is this how we're going to handle every internal administrative matter now?"
Captain Mitchell: "We are going to handle this matter according to the preservation instruction."
Collins stood still.
Then he picked up a folder from the conference table.
Lieutenant Collins: "I have other responsibilities. If you need me, you know where to find me."
He walked toward the door.