"That's ridiculous. My vehicle is assigned to me."
"Exactly."
Daniel turned slightly toward the road.
"Which means the person who used it either had access to your keys or had permission to move it."
Hayes said nothing.
Mitchell looked between the two men, struggling to understand how a routine traffic stop had turned into an internal investigation.
Then Daniel spoke again.
"Captain, I need you to do something for me."
Hayes narrowed his eyes.
"What?"
"Call your watch commander."
"Why?"
"Tell him the operation has been compromised."
Hayes hesitated.
"You're giving me orders now?"
Daniel looked directly at him.
"No. I'm giving you a chance to prove you're not involved."
The captain's jaw tightened.
For a moment, he appeared ready to argue.
Instead, he reached for his radio.
"Dispatch, this is Captain Hayes. I need a secure line to the watch commander."
Static crackled through the speaker.
Then a voice responded.
"Captain, the watch commander is unavailable."
Hayes frowned.
"Unavailable? Where is he?"
"He's currently handling an emergency at headquarters."
Daniel immediately looked up.
"What kind of emergency?"
Hayes turned toward him.
"I don't know."
Daniel stepped closer.
"Ask."
Hayes pressed the radio again.
"Dispatch, specify the nature of the emergency."
Another pause.
Then the response came.
"There's been an unauthorized entry into the evidence storage facility."
Daniel's expression changed.
He looked at Mitchell.
Then at Hayes.