The second stated that she was unaware of irreplaceable property lost or damaged while in county custody.
Less reasonable.
Then she reached a paragraph acknowledging that electronic evidence associated with her vehicle might have been corrupted before intake.
Maya looked up.
“You drafted this after I arrived.”
Russell folded his hands.
“Does that matter?”
“It does if you want my signature on statements about evidence I haven’t been permitted to inspect.”
“We’re not asking you to certify technical findings.”
“Then remove the technical language.”
Russell’s expression tightened.
“We’re trying to get you out of here.”
“Then release me.”
“We are.”
“No.”
Maya pushed the form back.
“You are offering release in exchange for my signature.”
Russell remained quiet.
“Nobody benefits from making this bigger.”
Maya looked at him.
“You appear very worried about evidence becoming a bigger problem.”
“Nothing happened to the evidence.”
“Then why do you need me to acknowledge that something may have happened to it?”
Russell leaned back.
“It protects everyone from misunderstandings.”
“Who is everyone?”
“The department.”
“The county.”
“You.”
Maya’s expression almost softened.
“I didn’t ask the department to protect me from its own evidence.”
Russell stared.
Maya continued.
“That sealed case had a control number when your deputy opened it.”
“We’re verifying it.”
“You’ve had hours.”
“It’s Sunday.”
“That affects staffing.”
She nodded.
“It does not create probable cause.”
Russell pushed the form toward her once more.
“You sign, you leave.”
Maya returned it.
“Not that way.”
He stood.
“This opportunity might not exist later.”
“Then preserve the document.”
Russell left without answering.
Outside, Maya heard him tell someone, “We need this closed before midnight.”
She looked at the wall clock.
10:57.
Midnight was indeed a deadline.
Just not the one Russell understood.
Chapter 11: The Last Hour
Aaron checked the evidence records again at 11:16.
The camera remained classified as damaged.
The transition inventory contained fewer entries than when he first saw it.
He made one final system note.
Initial electronic record and numbered-case inventory existed in broader form before supervisory access.
He saved it.
Derek appeared behind him carrying coffee.
“You planning to stare at that screen all night?”
“Finishing intake.”
“Intake was done.”
“Some fields changed.”
Derek lowered the cup.
“You taking her side?”
Aaron turned.
“I’m taking the record’s side.”
“That woman had restricted files and refused to explain them.”
“You still should’ve checked the control number.”
“We’re past that.”
Aaron looked at him.
“That doesn’t mean everything before it stopped happening.”
Derek stared.