For three seconds, nobody moved.
Commander Richard Collins stood beside the conference table, his right hand resting near the federal identification card on the floor. His expression was no longer merely concerned. It was the expression of a man who had just realized that something he had spent years trying to prevent might already be happening.
Officer Mercer stared at him.
"Commander, what exactly are you talking about?"
Collins ignored him.
He looked directly at Agent Bennett.
"Did you bring the authorization?"
Bennett reached into her leather folder and removed a sealed document.
"Signed by the deputy director of the federal task force. The order became effective at 8:45 this morning."
Collins took the document.
His eyes moved rapidly across the first page.
"Eight forty-five?"
"Yes."
"Then we're already behind."
Mercer frowned.
"Behind on what?"
Collins finally turned toward him.
"Officer Mercer, step away from the table."
The officer gave a short laugh.
"Commander, with all due respect, I was conducting an interview. This agent came in here making accusations, demanding records, and threatening people. I don't see why—"
"Stop talking."
The commander's voice cracked through the room.
Mercer fell silent.
Collins placed the authorization on the table and reached for the radio attached to his shoulder.
"Dispatch, this is Commander Collins. Initiate emergency protocol Delta. All personnel remain at their current posts until further instructions. Restrict access to the evidence archive, server room, communications office, and administrative records department."
A burst of static followed.
"Command, confirm protocol Delta?"
"Confirmed. Initiate immediately."
The commander's face tightened.
"Also, nobody leaves this building without authorization from the federal agent in charge."
Bennett had already taken out her phone.
She dialed a number from memory.
"Agent Bennett to Special Agent Miller. The situation has escalated. I need the tactical response team activated immediately."
A male voice answered.
"What's your status?"
"Inside Central Division headquarters. We have an apparent security compromise. Lock down external access and preserve all internal surveillance footage. Nobody touches the evidence system."
"Understood. What's the estimated threat level?"
Bennett looked at Mercer.
"Unconfirmed. Potentially serious."
She ended the call.
Mercer shook his head.
"This is ridiculous."
Collins stepped closer.
"You have no idea how serious this is."
"Then explain it to me."
"I would if I thought you were entitled to the information."
Mercer's expression hardened.
"Are you accusing me of something?"
The commander looked at the younger officer for a long moment.
"I'm asking you to think very carefully about every decision you've made during the last six months."
Mercer swallowed.
It was a tiny movement, but Bennett noticed it.
So did Sergeant Hayes.
The federal agent crouched, picked up her identification card, and inspected its surface. The plastic was scratched, but the embedded security chip remained intact.
She slipped it into her jacket.
"Commander, I need the original access logs for the evidence archive."
Collins nodded.
"Olivia, bring the access register."
The young clerk hesitated.
"Sir, the electronic system—"
"Bring the physical register."
Olivia immediately stood and hurried toward the door.
Mercer stepped into her path.
"Hold on. Nobody is taking records anywhere until I know what's happening."
Collins moved between them.
"Get out of her way."
For the first time, Mercer looked genuinely uncertain.
"Commander, I work under your command. You cannot simply allow an outside agent to take control of this building."
Bennett answered calmly.
"This is not about taking control of your building. It's about preserving evidence in a federal investigation."
She opened her folder again.
"Three witnesses have reported that evidence connected to a major organized crime investigation disappeared after being transferred to this division. Two officers involved in those transfers subsequently changed their statements. One is currently missing."
Hayes looked up.
"Missing?"
Bennett nodded.
"Detective Aaron Mitchell. Last confirmed contact was six days ago."
Collins closed his eyes briefly.
"God help us."
Mercer immediately looked at him.
"You knew about Mitchell?"
The commander did not answer.
That silence was more revealing than any explanation.
Bennett noticed the exchange.
"Commander, did you receive information about Detective Mitchell before today?"
Collins looked toward the glass wall.
"Yes."
"When?"
"Four days ago."
"Why wasn't that information included in the initial response?"
"Because I was told it was an internal personnel matter."
"By whom?"
Collins hesitated.
Then he looked at Mercer.
The officer's jaw tightened.
"This is getting out of hand."
Before anyone could respond, the radio on Collins's shoulder crackled.
"Command, we have a problem."
Collins grabbed it.
"Report."
"The rear evidence entrance has been opened. The electronic access system shows an authorized entry, but nobody is responding at the checkpoint."
Bennett's face became expressionless.
"Who has access to that entrance?"
Collins answered immediately.
"Evidence supervisors, senior command staff, and a limited number of investigators."
Bennett turned toward Mercer.
"Officer, when was your last visit to the evidence archive?"
Mercer stared at her.
"I don't remember."
"Try harder."
He looked toward Collins.
The commander was watching him with unmistakable disappointment.
Then the radio sounded again.
"Command, we found something."
Collins raised it.
"What?"
A pause.
Then a frightened voice answered.
"Sir, somebody has removed the security hard drive."
The room went completely silent.
Bennett slowly closed her folder.
"Commander," she said, "we have a much bigger problem than a missing detective."