Mercer said, "Large technology deliveries often go through central storage before installation."
Maya turned to him. "Then central storage should have transfer records."
"It should."
"Let's see them."
Lena searched the city inventory system. Several entries showed that equipment had been received at the municipal storage annex behind the police complex. According to the next set of records, most of it had later been transferred to Sloan Integrated Systems for installation, but the transfer documentation was incomplete. Some entries listed quantities without serial numbers. Others showed equipment moved into service without naming the employee who accepted it.
One line caught Maya's attention. "Open that."
Lena selected a storage record from three months earlier. The equipment status read: Project complete. Remaining inventory closed.
Maya asked, "What does 'inventory closed' mean?"
Lena shook her head. "It usually means everything assigned to the project has either been installed, returned, or formally disposed of."
"Do you have disposal records?"
"No."
"Return records?"
"Not that I can see."
Rebecca said, "That still doesn't prove anything is missing. The vendor may have completed the transfer under a different work order."
Maya looked at her. "Then we'll find the work order."
Mercer checked the time on the wall clock, but made no comment about it. "Agent Williams, I have command staff waiting for direction. If your team is going to begin searching city storage facilities, I need to know whether you have specific cause."
Maya handed him the acceptance record. "Your department certified millions of dollars in technology as installed and operational. Your active network does not show that capacity, and your inventory system cannot account for the difference. That is specific enough to inspect equipment purchased under the grant."
Mercer read the document again. He did not object further.
Maya turned to one of the federal agents. "Get a city representative and a camera. Nothing moves until it's photographed where it sits."
The agent nodded and left.
Lena remained at the computer. Maya noticed her looking at the Nathan Cole file, still open in a minimized window. "You think this is connected?"
Lena answered carefully. "I think the problems started around the same period."
"What problems?"
"The storage inconsistencies, contractor access after hours, Nathan's missing source footage... They all began after the new system was supposed to be fully active."
Maya asked, "Did you ever see Calvin Sloan working here personally?"
"A few times during normal maintenance hours."
"And the other times?"
Lena looked toward Rebecca before answering: "Late evenings, usually after most administrative staff had gone home."