She ignored the warning: "You wanted the outside reviews delayed until the technology project was closed. You wanted Calvin's access left active. You knew the basement system was being used."
Mercer stepped toward her, but his tone remained measured: "You're making allegations because you were caught trying to erase records."
Rebecca laughed once. "And you're pretending you never knew the room existed because you think I'm going to carry this alone?"
Maya raised a hand. "Stop." Both looked at her. "You'll give separate statements. Neither of you is going to turn this room into a negotiation."
Rebecca looked away first.
Maya addressed the technician: "Preserve the purge attempt, the biometric confirmation, and every administrator certificate tied to the hidden server."
"Already copying."
Maya turned to Mercer: "Your executive certificate remains active for the moment, but every action is being mirrored."
Mercer frowned. "You're monitoring my account?"
"We're preserving activity connected to a system under federal review."
He understood the difference and did not challenge it further.
A federal agent appeared at the doorway. "Agent Williams, Nathan Cole is here."
Maya looked at the time, but said nothing about it. "Bring him to the federal interview room."
The agent hesitated. "Given what we found downstairs, the team recommends moving him off-site."
Maya considered it: the station's evidence systems were compromised; its contractor still had remote access; Rebecca had just attempted to purge records; and Mercer's certificate was installed on a server he claimed not to know existed.
"Agreed. Use the secure federal location outside Asheford."
Nathan was told the reason for the transfer without unnecessary detail. He was not restrained. He entered a federal transport vehicle accompanied by two personnel and a driver. Before the vehicle left, Maya spoke to him briefly near the rear entrance:
"We're moving the interview."
Nathan looked toward the station. "Because of what you found?"
"Because I want your statement taken on a system we control."
He nodded. "Am I in danger?"
"Not from anything we've established."
Nathan studied her. "That sounds carefully worded."
"It is."
He accepted the answer and entered the vehicle. The transport route was entered through the secure system, and the vehicle left Asheford.
Maya returned to the digital evidence office. Lena was watching the network activity: "Something just touched the transport module."
Maya moved beside her. "From where?"