And somehow produced MC-19-4472.
Now Mara sat in the rear of Ryan’s patrol car while the two officers argued outside.
The partition muffled their voices, but not enough.
Creel pointed toward her sedan.
Ryan shook his head.
Creel stepped closer.
Ryan looked at the evidence bag.
Even through the window, Mara could see his discomfort.
Then Creel noticed her watching.
He walked toward the patrol car and opened the rear door.
“Phone.”
Mara looked at him.
“What?”
“Where is your phone?”
“In my coat.”
Creel reached toward her.
“Do not touch me without Officer Keller’s camera in view.”
His hand stopped.
“What are you afraid of?” she asked.
He smiled.
“You’re the one in cuffs.”
“Yes.”
“And you’re still talking like you’re in charge.”
“No.”
Mara leaned back.
“I’m talking like someone who knows this scene will eventually be reviewed frame by frame.”
The smile disappeared.
Creel closed the door.
Ryan transported her to Monroe County headquarters.
Mara spent forty-three minutes in a holding room.
No formal interview.
No access to her phone.
No opportunity to call counsel.
That was unusual.
The department building had changed since childhood.
New lobby.
New paint.
Electronic locks.
But the smell remained.
Floor cleaner, burnt coffee, damp winter coats.
Memory worked unfairly.
One smell, and she was fourteen again waiting for Henry to finish paperwork after school.
A camera watched from the ceiling corner.
Mara sat upright.
She wanted whoever reviewed the footage later to see exactly how calm she had been.
At 12:21 a.m., Ryan entered alone.
He closed the door.
He was no longer carrying the bag.
Mara looked at his empty hands.
“Where is it?”
“In temporary evidence.”
“Who logged it?”
Ryan hesitated.
“I did.”
“Photographs first?”
“Yes.”
“Full label visible?”
“Yes.”
“Good.”
He sat across from her.
“Who are you really?”
“I told you.”
“I checked.”
“And?”
“You work for the state.”
“Yes.”
Ryan rubbed both hands over his face.
He suddenly looked younger than he had on the road.
“How did you know that item?”
Mara studied him.
“Why did you search my car?”
“I told you.”
“No. Creel told me. I’m asking you.”
Ryan glanced toward the ceiling camera.
“We had information.”
“From whom?”
“I can’t say.”
“Then I can.”
He looked at her.