This is an evidence log from a burglary case your precinct closed 3 weeks ago. According to this, several items logged into evidence never made it into the system correctly. Chain of custody is broken, missing signatures, a gap in the timestamps that doesn't add up. Alice scanned the page, confusion turning quickly into alarm. She recognized the case number.
She remembered approving the arrest, but she had never personally handled the evidence log for it. I didn't process this evidence, Alice said. That would have gone through the on-duty sergeant and the evidence technician. Your name is on the final sign off, Osmar said, tapping a line near the bottom of the page. Right here.
Alice leaned forward, staring at the signature line. It was her name, written in a hand that looked close enough to her own at a glance, but wrong in small ways she recognized immediately. The slant was off. "The way the letters connected wasn't quite right. " "That's not my signature," Alice said firmly. "It certainly looks like it," Osmar said.
"I'm telling you it isn't," Alice said. "Someone forged this. " Osmar folded her hands on the desk, studying Alice with an expression that gave nothing away. I'm going to be honest with you, Captain. This looks bad. A broken chain of custody on evidence from your own precinct with your signature attached is exactly the kind of thing that ends up in front of a review board.
Then let's find out who actually processed that evidence. Alice said, "Pull the security footage from the evidence room. Check who was on shift that night. This will clear up fast if you actually look into it. I intend to, Osmar said.
Which is why I'm opening a formal review into your conduct. Alice felt the floor shift under her. You're opening a review against me based on a forged signature that took someone 30 seconds to fake based on evidence with your name on it. Osmar said, "I don't have the luxury of assuming good faith when a case log gets compromised. You of all people should understand the importance of following procedure. " The words landed like a slap.
Alice understood exactly what was happening now. This wasn't about procedure. This was retaliation dressed up in official language timed perfectly to arrive right when Alice was starting to dig into old files that could destroy careers. Corbin and Miller couldn't win with whisper campaigns and union grievances. So they'd escalated.
Somebody with access to that evidence room had planted a forged signature, knowing exactly how Osmar would react to it. And Osmar, whether she realized it or not, was playing her part perfectly, just like she had 6 years ago. This is a setup, Alice said. Someone forged my name to open exactly this kind of review. That's a serious accusation without any proof, Osmar said.
So is accusing me of mishandling evidence, Alice shot back, based on a signature that isn't mine. Osmar's expression hardened. The review is already opening, Captain. I'd suggest you cooperate fully and let the process play out. Alice stood up slowly, her hands steady, despite the anger burning in her chest.