Whatever operational materials were in those items would remain out of federal reach as long as Pike maintained his position. For the first time since the badges had appeared, local command held the advantage. Marcus forced himself to think clearly, despite the handcuffs cutting into his wrists. Pike had his jacket and phone, but evidence existed beyond what could fit in someone's pocket. The ballroom itself held information Pike couldn't simply walk away with.
His eyes swept the room methodically. Hotel security cameras mounted in each corner. The podium where the officiant had been standing when Briggs burst in. The sound equipment scattered around the altar area. The microphones.
Marcus looked toward Elena, who was still positioned between him and Pike. She caught his glance and followed his gaze toward the sound system. Her prosecutor instincts kicked in immediately. "The ceremony audio," she said quietly. Marcus nodded once.
Elena turned toward the hotel staff member who had been managing the sound equipment during the ceremony. "Excuse me. Is the audio system still recording? " The young man looked nervous being addressed in the middle of the tents standoff. Um, yes, ma'am. The wireless microphones are still active.
Everything gets automatically saved with the wedding package. Pike's head snapped toward the conversation. "What recording? " Elena ignored him and kept speaking to the hotel employee. Where is that recording stored? On the main system in our event services office.
It backs up automatically during ceremonies so couples can get a copy of their vows later. Marcus felt something shift inside his chest. Pike could take his jacket and phone, but he couldn't walk into the hotel's office and delete files without a warrant. "Agent Dalton," Marcus called out, still watching Pike's face. "I need you to preserve all audio recordings from this ceremony immediately. " Dalton understood instantly.
Hotel staff, I'm ordering you to secure all recording equipment and audio files. Nothing gets erased, nothing gets copied, nothing gets moved until federal forensics teams arrive. Pike stepped toward the hotel employee. "Delay that order. This is a local investigation. " Any recordings are evidence in my case.
"Captain Pike," Dalton replied firmly, federal evidence preservation has already begun. You have no authority to interfere with that process. The hotel staff member looked between the federal supervisor and the police captain, clearly unsure whose orders to follow. Elena moved closer to him. Sir, what exactly did those microphones record during the ceremony?
"Everything," he answered nervously. From when the processional music started until now, the wireless mics pick up all audio in the ceremony area. Marcus felt his pulse quicken, including conversations that happened away from the altar. "Yes, sir. " The system captures ambient sound throughout the ballroom to ensure good audio quality for the recording. Pike's face had gone pale.