Laura examined the terminal.
Laura Bennett: "The system recorded an attempted connection at 10:42 a.m. The request was blocked because the evidence file had already been placed under restricted access."
Emily Carter: "Can you determine whether the account was used directly from Lieutenant Collins' workstation?"
Laura Bennett: "Not from this screen alone. I need to compare the authentication records with the network logs."
Emily Carter: "Please preserve both before performing any further analysis."
Laura Bennett: "I will."
Laura connected a secure storage device and began creating a forensic copy of the relevant system records.
Captain Mitchell watched her work.
Captain Mitchell: "Can the original logs be changed after this?"
Laura Bennett: "Once the forensic copy is completed and verified, we can preserve an independent version. We will also calculate integrity values so that any later alteration can be detected."
Emily looked toward the supervisor.
Emily Carter: "Please record everyone who enters this room from now on. Include the time, purpose of entry, and any equipment they bring inside."
Supervisor: "Yes, ma'am."
Laura continued working.
After several minutes, she turned toward Emily.
Laura Bennett: "I have something."
Emily stepped closer.
Laura Bennett: "The account was authenticated using a workstation assigned to the operations office. The connection was made locally, not remotely from an outside network."
Captain Mitchell: "Can you identify the workstation?"
Laura Bennett: "Yes. It is registered to the administrative office used by Lieutenant Collins."
Mitchell slowly exhaled.
Emily did not look surprised, but she remained cautious.
Emily Carter: "Can you establish who was physically using the computer?"
Laura Bennett: "Not yet. The system identifies the workstation and the account, but it doesn't prove who was sitting in front of it."
Emily Carter: "Good. Keep that distinction clear in your report."
Laura nodded.
The distinction mattered.
An account could be used by someone other than the person whose name appeared on it. A workstation could be left unlocked. Credentials could be shared or misused.
The evidence was becoming stronger, but Emily would not allow the investigation to move beyond what the records could actually prove.
Captain Mitchell looked toward the archive door.
Captain Mitchell: "Can we inspect the original transfer receipt now?"
Emily Carter: "Only after the technical team confirms that the archive records and physical access logs have been secured."
Laura checked the system.
Laura Bennett: "The relevant access records have been preserved. The archive itself can be opened under the documented procedure."
The supervisor retrieved the key.
Before unlocking the door, he checked the access register and entered the names of everyone present.
The heavy door opened slowly.
Inside, rows of shelves held boxes, sealed envelopes, and evidence containers. Each item carried a reference number and a corresponding entry in the department's management system.
The room smelled faintly of cardboard and old paper.
Emily followed the supervisor toward the section containing the September records.
He checked the shelf number against the database.
Supervisor: "The transfer files should be here."
He removed a storage box and placed it on the inspection table.
Emily put on a pair of protective gloves.
The supervisor opened the box.
Inside were several folders arranged by case number.
They located the September transfer file.
Emily examined the outside label.
The case number matched the federal investigation.
But something was wrong.
The folder contained a copy of the transfer receipt, not the original.
Emily turned the pages carefully.
The document showed Detective Michael Grant as the receiving officer.
The signature appeared clean and complete.
However, the paper itself looked newer than the other documents in the folder.
Emily examined the lower corner.
There was a small mark where a staple had been removed.
She looked at the supervisor.
Emily Carter: "Is this the original document?"
Supervisor: "It should be."
Emily Carter: "Can you check the archive register?"
The supervisor opened the register on the terminal.
He searched the case number.
A separate entry appeared.
It showed that the original receipt had been transferred to a different storage location three weeks earlier.
Captain Mitchell: "Who authorized that?"
The supervisor examined the entry.
Supervisor: "The system lists an authorization from the operations office."
Emily Carter: "Whose name?"
The supervisor turned the screen toward them.
The name was Richard Collins.
Mitchell's expression became increasingly troubled.
Captain Mitchell: "Why would an original transfer receipt be moved without my approval?"
Supervisor: "I don't know, Captain."
Emily looked at the physical folder again.
Emily Carter: "Where is the new storage location?"
The supervisor entered the reference number.
The system displayed a location code.
It referred to a temporary records cabinet in the administrative archive.
Captain Mitchell: "That cabinet is not part of the evidence storage area."
Emily Carter: "Then we need to secure it before anyone else accesses it."
Mitchell looked at Laura.
Captain Mitchell: "Can you preserve the location history?"
Laura Bennett: "Yes. I'll record the current status and all previous access entries."
Emily turned toward the supervisor.