Emily Carter: "No. Our records show that it was never received by our agency."
Mitchell looked toward the documents on the table.
Captain Mitchell: "Then where is it?"
Emily closed the laptop.
Emily Carter: "That is what we need to find out."
The confidential informant had provided information that could expose a network of financial crimes.
If the file had been deliberately removed, the person responsible might have been trying to protect the individuals named in the investigation.
And if the informant's identity had been exposed, the consequences could be far more serious than a compromised case.
Emily contacted her supervisor again.
She requested that the informant's protection arrangements be reviewed immediately.
She also asked for a secure check-in with the person who had originally provided the information.
The supervisor confirmed that the protection team would handle it.
Meanwhile, Captain Mitchell instructed the department to suspend all nonessential access to the relevant evidence records.
He also requested that Officer Brooks, Lieutenant Collins, and several other employees submit written accounts of their actions during the relevant dates.
The instructions were delivered through official channels.
No one was accused in the notice.
But everyone understood that the investigation had become serious.
At 11:20 a.m., Officer Daniel Brooks received a request to report to the conference room.
He entered and saw Captain Mitchell, Emily, and an independent investigator named James Walker.
Walker had been appointed to conduct the internal review.
He was known for being methodical and direct.
He placed a recording device on the table.
James Walker: "Officer Brooks, this interview concerns your interactions with Agent Carter this morning and several evidence management matters currently under review."
Brooks looked uncomfortable.
Officer Brooks: "I already explained what happened this morning."
James Walker: "We are going to document your account formally."
Officer Brooks: "I don't see why this needs to become such a big issue."
Emily remained silent.
Walker opened a folder.
James Walker: "Please describe your interaction with Agent Carter from the moment you first approached her."
Brooks began explaining.
He said that he had seen an unfamiliar visitor walking toward the administrative corridor. He said he had asked for identification and believed she had been uncooperative.
He described his actions as routine security enforcement.
But when Walker asked whether he had seen the federal credentials, Brooks admitted that he had.
James Walker: "At what point did you recognize that the identification displayed a federal badge?"
Officer Brooks: "After she showed it to me."
James Walker: "Did you contact the agency to verify it?"
Officer Brooks: "No."
James Walker: "Did you ask the receptionist to confirm the appointment?"
Officer Brooks: "I was aware that she was checking."
James Walker: "Did the receptionist confirm the appointment?"
Officer Brooks: "Yes."
James Walker: "Then why did you continue preventing Agent Carter from proceeding to her scheduled meeting?"
Brooks shifted in his chair.
Officer Brooks: "I thought there were additional security procedures."
James Walker: "Which procedures?"
Brooks did not answer.
Walker turned a page.
James Walker: "Did you physically touch Agent Carter?"
Officer Brooks: "I guided her away from the corridor."
James Walker: "Did she ask you not to touch her?"
Brooks hesitated.
Officer Brooks: "She said something like that."
James Walker: "And did you release her immediately?"
Brooks looked down.
Officer Brooks: "Not immediately."
James Walker: "Why not?"
Officer Brooks: "I was trying to maintain control of the situation."
Emily finally spoke.
Emily Carter: "I was standing in the public reception area, and I had already agreed to wait for the appointment to be confirmed. There was no need for physical contact."
Brooks looked toward her.
Officer Brooks: "You were challenging my authority."
Emily Carter: "I asked you to verify my identification and explain the basis for your instructions."
James Walker: "Officer Brooks, did you ask Agent Carter to provide her badge number?"
Officer Brooks: "No."
James Walker: "Did you provide your own badge number when she requested it?"
Officer Brooks: "I don't remember."
James Walker: "The witnesses confirm that you did not."
Brooks remained silent.
Walker closed the first folder.
James Walker: "We will now move to another matter."
Brooks looked up.
James Walker: "Did you communicate with Lieutenant Collins about Agent Carter's visit this morning?"
Officer Brooks: "No."
Emily watched his face.
James Walker: "Did you know that she was coming to the department?"
Officer Brooks: "No."
James Walker: "Did you recognize her name before she arrived?"
Officer Brooks: "No."
James Walker: "Have you ever accessed the evidence management system using another employee's credentials?"
Brooks looked surprised.
Officer Brooks: "What does that have to do with this morning?"
James Walker: "Please answer the question."
Officer Brooks: "No."
Walker placed a printed access report on the table.
James Walker: "The system contains several access records associated with a workstation near your assigned desk. Some of those records relate to the cases currently under review."
Brooks examined the page.
His expression changed slightly.
Officer Brooks: "I use the computer for normal duties."
James Walker: "Did you access the September transfer records?"