“Why does your name appear on the evidence-access record for a case you were never assigned to?”
Ethan looked at Director Lawson.
Lawson looked at the photograph.
And Victoria waited for an answer.
Chapter 2: The Name on the Evidence Log
Ethan did not touch the photograph.
He stared at it as if the paper itself had become dangerous.
The officer in the image was Detective Paul Mercer, a twelve-year veteran of the Brookhaven Police Department. Mercer had been placed on administrative leave six weeks earlier after an internal audit identified discrepancies in several evidence records.
Ethan had never worked directly with him.
At least, that was what he had told his supervisor.
Director Lawson moved toward the desk.
“Agent Hayes, what is this?”
Victoria closed the folder halfway.
“An evidence-access record connected to a federal investigation.”
“Which investigation?”
“The investigation I was assigned to lead.”
Lawson's jaw tightened.
“Victoria, I need to know whether my department is facing a criminal inquiry.”
“You need to preserve the records and cooperate with the investigators. The legal scope of the inquiry has already been communicated to the department's counsel.”
Lawson glanced toward Ethan.
“What did you do?”
“Nothing, sir.”
The answer came too quickly.
Victoria noticed.
“Officer Cole, I asked you a specific question. Your name appears on an access record for a case you were not assigned to. Can you explain why?”
Ethan shook his head.
“I don't know. Someone must have used my login.”
“Is your login shared?”
“No.”
“Have you ever given your password to another employee?”
“No.”
“Have you ever left your workstation unlocked?”
“Not that I remember.”
Victoria nodded.
“Then the access record should be straightforward to investigate.”
Ethan shifted his weight.
“I didn't touch that evidence.”
“I haven't accused you of touching it.”
“Then why are you questioning me like I'm a criminal?”
“Because your credentials appear in a record that may be relevant to a federal investigation.”
She spoke without hostility, which somehow made Ethan more uncomfortable.
“You're free to provide a factual explanation. You're not free to destroy records or interfere with the investigation.”
Lawson rubbed his forehead.
“Agent Hayes, perhaps we should move this discussion into my office.”
“No.”
The answer was immediate.
Victoria placed the photograph back in the folder.
“This room is where the incident occurred. I want the original desk arrangement preserved until the departmental review documents what happened.”
Lawson looked toward the door.
“An entire room preserved over a badge?”
“Not over a badge. Over the conduct that occurred here, the potential destruction or mishandling of evidence, and the possibility that someone may attempt to alter the record afterward.”
Ethan let out a nervous laugh.
“You're making this into something it isn't.”
Victoria turned toward him.
“Then you should welcome an independent review.”
He fell silent.
A uniformed sergeant appeared at the doorway.
“Director?”
Lawson straightened.
“Secure this office. Nobody enters or removes anything until the review team documents the scene.”
The sergeant looked between them.
“Yes, sir.”
“Also, notify the records supervisor that all relevant electronic logs must be preserved. Do not edit or reclassify anything.”
Victoria gave a small nod.
“That is appropriate.”
Lawson turned toward Ethan.
“Hand over your access card and department-issued devices pending review.”
Ethan stared at him.
“Sir?”
“You heard me.”
“I'm being suspended?”
“I'm directing you to cooperate with an evidence-preservation procedure. Your employment status will be determined through the proper process.”
Ethan slowly removed his access card.
His hand trembled as he placed it on the desk.
Victoria watched without satisfaction.
She had not come to Brookhaven to humiliate one officer.
She had come because evidence had disappeared from a case involving a confidential informant, a public-contract investigation, and a series of suspicious payments.
The badge incident had revealed something important: Ethan had reacted to her credentials with hostility before he knew what she was investigating.
Now his login appeared in a record connected to missing evidence.
That did not prove he was guilty.
But it meant she could not ignore him.
“Director Lawson,” she said, “I need the names of every person who had administrative access to the evidence system during the relevant period.”
Lawson nodded.
“You'll have them.”
“Not a summary. The original access records, including failed logins, password resets, and administrative overrides.”
“Understood.”
“And I want a complete list of cases in which evidence was transferred, reclassified, or marked unavailable during the last twelve months.”
Lawson's expression changed.
“That is a substantial request.”
“Yes.”
“It could involve hundreds of cases.”
“Then we will prioritize them according to the investigative criteria.”
Ethan looked up sharply.
“Hundreds?”
Victoria turned toward him.
“Why does that concern you?”
“It doesn't.”
“Then there's no reason to interrupt.”
Lawson looked at the officer with a mixture of anger and disbelief.
“Cole, you will not discuss this investigation with anyone who is not authorized to receive the information. You will not contact Detective Mercer. You will not attempt to access the evidence system.”
Ethan swallowed.
“Yes, sir.”
Victoria picked up her folder.
As she reached the doorway, she stopped.
“One more thing.”
Lawson turned.
“Agent?”
“Who authorized Detective Mercer to access the evidence locker six weeks ago?”
Lawson hesitated.
“I'll have to check.”
Victoria looked at him.
“Please do.”
She stepped into the corridor.
Behind her, Ethan remained beside the desk, staring at the empty place where the badge had been.