Maya nodded. "Correct."
Rebecca seemed prepared for an argument that never came.
Mercer asked, "What exactly are you trying to establish?"
"Whether the written process matches what actually happened."
"You already found equipment in storage."
"And now we determine who knew that."
Mercer folded his hands. "I signed the completion package because the contractor submitted technical certification and the project had moved through city procurement."
"Who told you the system had passed testing?"
"The vendor and the project documentation."
"Did anyone on your command staff independently verify that?"
Mercer looked toward Lena. "That would have been an IT function."
Lena remained seated at the end of the table. "I wasn't asked to sign off on it."
Rebecca said, "You weren't managing the project."
"No, but the project was changing the evidence system I manage."
Mercer's voice stayed controlled. "There were several departments involved. Nobody is saying the process was perfect."
Maya closed the folder in front of her. "Perfection isn't the standard. Accuracy is."
A federal agent entered and spoke quietly to Maya: "Officer Carter is ready for his statement."
Maya left the conference room and found Ben in a smaller office near Records. A federal interviewer sat across from him with an audio recorder on the table. Ben looked more uncomfortable than he had at the front desk that morning. Maya remained near the door.
The interviewer asked, "When Miss Williams presented the credential, what did the scanner show?"
"Federal authority verified. Special access active."
"Did you believe the credential was valid at that point?"
Ben hesitated. "Yes."
"When did Lieutenant Sloan see the result?"
"Right away."
"What did she tell you to do?"
"Close the screen."
"Did you tell her the credential had verified?"