Renee read the authorization twice.
The form requested the temporary removal of the original body camera recording from the active evidence archive.
The stated reason was technical maintenance.
However, the approval signature belonged to Deputy Chief Alan Whitmore.
Whitmore was the second-highest-ranking officer in the precinct's command structure.
He had served Westbridge for nineteen years and was widely regarded as one of Chief Harlan's closest allies.
Renee looked at Linda Harris.
"Did you process this request?"
Linda nodded.
"Yes, Captain."
"Did you personally remove the footage?"
"No. I forwarded the request to the digital evidence technician."
"Who was that?"
"Technician Paul Simmons."
"Is he still employed here?"
"Yes. He's working in the evidence department."
Renee examined the authorization again.
"Was the footage ever restored?"
Linda swallowed.
"According to the system, no."
"Why?"
"I was told the original file was corrupted."
"Who told you?"
Linda looked uncomfortable.
"Deputy Chief Whitmore."
Renee leaned back.
"Did you question the explanation?"
"At the time, I didn't have a reason to challenge it."
"Did you receive a technical report confirming corruption?"
Linda shook her head.
"No."
"Then why was the evidence marked as corrupted?"
"I don't know."
Renee closed the folder.
"Thank you for your cooperation. Please provide a written statement and preserve any relevant correspondence."
Linda nodded and left.
Renee immediately called the department's internal investigations division.
She requested that an independent investigator review the evidence-handling process.
Then she contacted Commissioner Wallace.
The commissioner's voice sounded tired.
"Mitchell. I was expecting your call."
"Commissioner, I have a developing issue."
"How serious?"
"Potential evidence mishandling involving a civilian complaint and senior command authorization."
There was a pause.
"Which case?"
"Thomas Bell. March fourteenth."
Wallace exhaled.
"I remember that complaint."
"Then you understand why I'm concerned."
"Yes. But be careful, Renee."
"With respect, Commissioner, that's why I'm calling."
"Whitmore has been in this department for nearly two decades."
"That doesn't make him immune from review."
"No. It doesn't."
Renee waited.
Wallace continued.
"Do not confront him until the independent investigator has secured the records."
"Agreed."
"And Mitchell?"
"Yes?"
"Some people are going to tell you that you're moving too quickly."
Renee looked through her office window.
Daniel was walking past the corridor.
"Then they'll have to explain why the evidence is missing."
She ended the call.
At 2:15 p.m., Deputy Chief Whitmore finally arrived.
He was in his late fifties, with gray hair and a carefully pressed uniform.
He entered without knocking.
"Captain Mitchell."
"Deputy Chief."
He glanced at the folder on her desk.
"I hear you're asking questions about old cases."
"That's correct."
"Interesting choice for your first day."
Renee gestured toward the chair.
"Have a seat."
Whitmore remained standing.
"I'll stand."
"Suit yourself."
She opened the authorization form.
"Do you recognize this?"
He glanced at it.
"Yes. That's my signature."
"Why was the Bell recording removed from the active archive?"
"Technical maintenance."
"Was the footage corrupted?"
"That's what I was told."
"By whom?"
"Evidence personnel."
"Which personnel?"
Whitmore frowned.
"Captain, are you investigating me?"
"I'm reviewing an evidence authorization."
"Those are two different things."
"Not necessarily."
His expression hardened.
"Listen, I understand you're new here. But you should be careful about creating problems where none exist."
Renee looked directly at him.
"Missing evidence is a problem."
"Technology fails."
"Then there should be a technical report."
"Perhaps there is."
"Do you have it?"
Whitmore didn't answer.
Renee closed the folder.
"Deputy Chief, an independent review has been requested. Until that review is completed, please preserve all relevant communications and records."
He stared at her.
"You're ordering me to preserve my own records?"
"I'm ordering everyone involved to preserve relevant records."
Whitmore gave a humorless laugh.
"You've been here less than a day."
"And already I've discovered a missing recording."
He stepped closer to the desk.
"You're making enemies you don't understand."
Renee remained seated.
"Then perhaps you should help me understand."
Whitmore said nothing.
He turned and walked out.
Renee watched him disappear down the hallway.
A moment later, her office phone rang.
The caller ID showed an internal extension.
She answered.
"Captain Mitchell."
A male voice whispered.
"Captain, this is Paul Simmons from evidence."
"Go ahead."
"I found something."
"What?"
"The Bell recording wasn't corrupted."
Renee sat upright.
"Are you certain?"
"Yes. I checked the backup server."
"What did you find?"
A pause.
"The original video is still there."
"Where?"
"On an archived storage drive. But Captain..."
"What?"
"Someone accessed it again this morning."
Renee's fingers tightened around the phone.
"Who?"
Paul hesitated.
Then he spoke three words.
"Officer Daniel Carter."