AGENT ELENA CROSS: "Especially if that person works for an agency that is supposed to follow the rules."
For the first time since the FPI vehicles arrived, Maya felt that someone was addressing the question she had been trying to ask all afternoon.
She nodded slowly.
Across the shoulder, Director Vale closed the folder and handed it to Agent Cross.
DIRECTOR THOMAS VALE: "I want the original submission, the audit trail, and every access record associated with it. Start with the person who entered the information and work forward."
AGENT ELENA CROSS: "Understood."
DIRECTOR THOMAS VALE: "And no conclusions until we have the underlying documents."
Cross returned to the lead vehicle and began coordinating with the regional office.
Meanwhile, another agent positioned a camera to document the patrol vehicle and the location of the SUV. He recorded the open driver's door, the position of the vehicles, and the equipment that had been placed on the gravel.
Reed watched the process from beside the second FPI vehicle.
His earlier anger had given way to restless movements. He shifted his weight repeatedly, adjusted his sleeves, and glanced toward the agents whenever he thought they were not looking at him.
Then he noticed Agent Bell examining a digital access report.
OFFICER DANIEL REED: "What are you looking at?"
AGENT MARCUS BELL: "The system log associated with the stop."
OFFICER DANIEL REED: "You don't need to examine my entire work history for one traffic stop."
AGENT MARCUS BELL: "We're examining the records connected to this particular incident."
OFFICER DANIEL REED: "I have done nothing wrong."
AGENT MARCUS BELL: "Then the records should help establish that."
Reed looked at the tablet.
AGENT MARCUS BELL: "Did you access a restricted reference before initiating the stop?"
OFFICER DANIEL REED: "I don't remember."
AGENT MARCUS BELL: "The timestamp is available."
OFFICER DANIEL REED: "Then why are you asking me?"
AGENT MARCUS BELL: "Because the record shows your credentials were used."
Reed went quiet.
Agent Bell did not accuse him of anything further. He simply noted the response and returned to the tablet.
The silence was more unsettling than an argument.
A few minutes later, Director Vale received a call from the regional office. He stepped away from the group to listen, holding the folder against his side.
DIRECTOR THOMAS VALE: "Yes, I'm looking at the preliminary report."
He listened.
DIRECTOR THOMAS VALE: "No, we haven't treated it as verified."
Another pause.
DIRECTOR THOMAS VALE: "Who approved the transfer?"
The director's expression sharpened.
DIRECTOR THOMAS VALE: "I need the name and the original authorization."
He listened for several seconds, then ended the call.
When he returned, he asked Agent Cross to join him beside the lead SUV.
Maya watched them speak quietly.
AGENT ELENA CROSS: "Did they locate the original submission?"
DIRECTOR THOMAS VALE: "They located a copy. The original authorization is still missing from the accessible file."
AGENT ELENA CROSS: "Could it be a routine administrative error?"
DIRECTOR THOMAS VALE: "It could. But the record contains a transfer entry that doesn't match the ordinary process."
AGENT ELENA CROSS: "Who initiated it?"
DIRECTOR THOMAS VALE: "The account is associated with a regional office. They are verifying whether the account holder actually submitted it."
Cross looked toward Reed.
AGENT ELENA CROSS: "And the local access?"
DIRECTOR THOMAS VALE: "That is what concerns me. Someone accessed the reference shortly before the stop. We need to establish whether the access was related to a legitimate duty or whether someone used the information improperly."
AGENT ELENA CROSS: "We should keep those questions separate from the use-of-force investigation."
DIRECTOR THOMAS VALE: "Agreed. The physical confrontation must be examined on its own evidence. The record discrepancy is a separate issue, even if the two eventually prove connected."
Maya could not hear the whole conversation, but she noticed that the director appeared determined not to jump to conclusions.
That mattered to her.
She did not want the FPI to invent a dramatic explanation just because the encounter had become unusual. She wanted the truth, even if it turned out to be less extraordinary than it appeared.
Agent Cross returned to her.
AGENT ELENA CROSS: "Maya, we're going to arrange a medical assessment and take a complete statement. Before we do, is there anyone you would like us to contact?"
MAYA JOHNSON: "My aunt. She'll be expecting me."
AGENT ELENA CROSS: "Would you like to call her yourself?"
MAYA JOHNSON: "Yes, please."
Bell retrieved Maya's phone from the SUV after documenting its position and confirming that she could access it. He handed it to her without touching anything else.
Maya found her aunt's number and called.
AUNT LORETTA: "Maya? Where are you? I thought you'd be here by now."