The video played in silence: Evelyn's calm transaction inside, the cashier's furtive call, the rapid arrival of patrol cars that suggested prejudgment rather than investigation.
"As you can see," Sonya continued, "there was no suspicious behavior to justify the initial approach. Mrs. Brooks provided her registration when asked. The vehicle was properly registered in her name."
Martinez made notes while Collins studied the footage. "Chief Keats, when exactly was the vehicle theft alert issued?"
Keats shifted slightly. "We're still confirming the exact timeline of the dispatch log."
"Because we have no record of any such alert in the system prior to Mrs. Brooks' arrival at the gas station," Collins said. "The first mention appears after Officer Rourke was already on scene."
The room temperature seemed to drop a few degrees. Keats maintained her professional demeanor, but her fingers tightened around her pen. "Officers sometimes receive verbal notifications that may not immediately appear in the system."
"That's not department protocol," Martinez noted.
A knock at the door interrupted them. A junior officer stepped in, speaking quietly to Keats. She nodded, looking troubled.
"Officer Halverson has requested to speak with the investigators," she announced. "He's currently being questioned about the incident down the hall."
"We should hear what he has to say," Collins decided, standing. "Let's take fifteen minutes."
Sonya exchanged glances with Evelyn. This wasn't in their morning strategy, but it could work in their favor. Raymond remained quietly observant, his military bearing a steady presence in the room.
When Collins and Martinez returned, their expressions had shifted: the professional distance had been replaced by focused intensity.
"Chief Keats," Collins said, "Officer Halverson has provided some concerning information about last night's arrest procedures."
Keats sat straighter. "Officer Halverson is a junior officer who may not have fully understood—"