“You’re very careful with your words.”
“I’ve found that useful.”
“Attorney?”
Maya smiled faintly.
“I’m capable of calling one.”
“Investigator?”
No answer.
“State employee?”
“You have my identification.”
Russell leaned back.
“Your license doesn’t explain why a sealed county integrity package was in your Bentley.”
“The package wasn’t loose property.”
Maya looked through the window toward Derek.
“It was inside a numbered case that your deputy opened after being warned not to.”
“He believed it could be stolen.”
“He broke my windows before he knew it existed.”
Russell stopped writing.
Maya continued.
“That sequence will matter.”
He looked at her.
“You seem more interested in procedure than clearing yourself.”
“I’m interested in both.”
“Then explain why you had it.”
“Verify the number.”
Russell closed his notebook.
“You’re making this harder.”
Maya’s expression did not change.
“No, Captain.”
“Someone else already did that.”
Russell left the room.
His irritation had become concern.
Chapter 7: Rewriting What Happened
Russell called Derek into his office. Aaron remained near evidence processing, close enough to see them through the glass but not hear every word. Russell asked Derek to start from the beginning.
Derek said he noticed the Bentley traveling unusually slowly, ran the plate, received an administrative delay, and initiated a stop. He claimed Maya appeared guarded and repeatedly resisted instructions. Russell asked whether the Bentley was ever reported stolen.
“No.”
“Registration cleared?”
“Yes.”
“When?”
Derek hesitated.
Russell stared.
“Before the windows?”
Derek said nothing.
Russell rubbed his forehead.
“What exactly are you calling obstruction?”
“She kept refusing orders.”
“Which orders?”
“Open the vehicle.”
“Give me the key.”
“Allow the search.”
Russell looked at him.
“That’s not how this can read.”
Derek frowned.
“What does that mean?”
“It means your report needs to describe an unresolved administrative irregularity followed by repeated noncompliance during an active investigation.”
Derek watched him.
Russell continued.
“Ownership wasn’t the only issue.”
“What other issue?”
“Officer safety.”
Derek nodded slowly.
“Her behavior increased suspicion.”
“Yes.”
“Vehicle entry became necessary.”
Russell pointed toward him.
“Exactly.”
Derek looked uneasy.
“I didn’t find the case until after I searched the cabin.”
Russell stared.
“Then do you want the report emphasizing that you smashed half the car before discovering the only suspicious property?”
Derek understood.
Not truth.
Survivability.
Russell began dictating phrases.
Administrative discrepancy.
Repeated noncompliance.
Escalating officer-safety concern.
Necessary vehicle access.
Restricted materials discovered.