"It means the seizure and destruction event has been recorded remotely."
Rebecca placed the two pieces of the credential on the counter. "Name: Maya Williams. Employer?"
"Use the validation line."
Rebecca's expression tightened. "You're refusing to identify your agency while asking for access to restricted police evidence."
"The credential identified my authority. Your next step was to call the validation number."
Ben glanced at the torn pieces. "Lieutenant, we should probably make the call."
Rebecca ignored him. She addressed Maya: "You'll remain here until we determine whether that credential was legitimate and whether this case contains equipment intended to compromise our network."
Maya nodded. "Then you'll separate me from the case."
Rebecca turned toward the hallway. "Interview room two."
Maya walked with her without resisting. Before entering the room, she said, "After this, you'll run an internal verification because you no longer trust the first return."
Rebecca stopped but did not answer.
Maya continued, "When the internal system confirms the same thing, you'll decide the systems may have been compromised."
Rebecca opened the door. "Sit down."
Maya entered the interview room and took a seat at the table.
Rebecca returned to the front desk and stood beside Ben. "Run the credential through our internal access system."
Ben entered the identification sequence from the damaged card. A few seconds later, the result appeared on the monitor: Valid federal access event.
Ben checked the information again. "It's valid."
Rebecca read the screen without speaking.
Ben turned toward her. "That's two separate confirmations. We should call the validation number."
"No."
"Lieutenant, if this really is federal access—"
"I said no."
Rebecca walked back toward interview room two. Inside, Maya sat with her hands on the table. Rebecca entered and closed the door.
"You knew what the internal check would show."
"Yes."
"How?"
"Because the credential is legitimate."
"Then tell me who you work for."