Grant handed Williams a series of federal forms requiring the department to maintain complete chain of custody records for all physical and digital evidence. Any alteration, deletion, or loss of materials would trigger automatic federal investigation. The booking process continued with fingerprinting, photographing, and property documentation. Marissa to each step without protest, maintaining the dignified composure that had impressed colleagues throughout her judicial career. As Williams completed the paperwork, she quietly noted something that would become important later.
The language in the obstruction report sounded familiar. She had seen similar phrasing in other arrests involving expensive vehicles and defendants who supposedly became aggressive when questioned about ownership. Several hours later, Marissa walked out of the station without her Ferrari. The red SF90 remained locked behind the impound facility's gates under an evidence hold that could theoretically last for months. Grant waited beside his vehicle in the parking lot as Marissa emerged into the late afternoon sunlight.
She had been released on her own recognizance pending formal charges, but the legal battle was just beginning. Judge Cole," Grant said as she approached, "Lieutenant Voss has transformed a failed theft accusation into something much larger. This isn't about one mistake anymore. He's declared war on your credibility, and he's planning to fight it using every resource his department controls. " The impound facility sat behind 12-foot chain link topped with razor wire. Its entrance guarded by a weathered office trailer and electronic gates that buzzed loudly when activated.
Marissa and Grant arrived 15 minutes before closing time. The deputy marshal, carrying a leather portfolio containing federal evidence preservation forms and a high-resolution camera equipped with timestamp verification, the facility manager, a heavy-set man named Rodriguez, met them at the gate with obvious reluctance. "I got orders from Lieutenant Voss about this vehicle. Nobody gets access without his direct approval. " Grant displayed his credentials and handed Rodriguez a judicial inspection order signed by an independent federal magistrate. "This supersedes any local restriction, sir.
We're here to document the Ferrari's condition before it disappears into your storage system. " Rodriguez studied the federal paperwork carefully, then unlocked the gate with a resigned expression. "Vehicle's in section C, space 47. But I'm telling you right now that car's under the tightest evidence hold I've ever seen. Voss made it real clear that anything happens to it, my facility gets blamed. " They walked through rows of seized vehicles toward the back corner where premium cars were stored separately from routine impounds. The red Ferrari SF90 sat alone in a marked space.
Its distinctive profile unmistakable even under the harsh overhead lighting that buzzed and flickered in the gathering dusk. Yellow evidence tape sealed every door and panel. Numbered tags hung from each wheel well, the side mirrors, and the rear spoiler. A large placard attached to the windshield declared the vehicle off-limits to unauthorized personnel under penalty of federal prosecution. Grant began photographing immediately, documenting each seal's position, condition, and identifying number.
The camera's flash illuminated details that would become crucial later. The exact placement of the evidence tags, the position of the side mirrors, the angle of the steering wheel visible through the driver's window. Odometer reading? Grant asked, peering through the windshield. 4,212 miles, Marissa read from outside the passenger door.
Same as when they arrested me. Grant photographed the instrument cluster through the glass, capturing not only the mileage but the fuel level, warning lights, and gear selector position. Every detail would matter if anyone attempted to claim the Ferrari had been driven or altered while impounded. The small blue recording light behind the windshield remained dark. Its camera system powered down with the engine off.
Grant photographed the mount carefully, noting its professional installation and the intact connection cables that ran toward the dashboard. Ma'am, Rodriguez interrupted. I need to tell you about the access log. Lieutenant Voss authorized himself, Officer Roark, and Officer Mercer for unlimited entry. That's unusual for an evidence hold.