"He was involved in the incident documented in the report."
"What incident?"
"A civilian detention."
"Was anyone charged?"
"That isn't the part that matters."
"It may matter to me."
Maya shook her head. "What matters tonight is that Brett came here looking for something connected to that record."
Price looked toward him. "How do you know?"
"Because I was told something would be left for me here."
Price's attention returned immediately. "By whom?"
"I don't know."
"You expect me to believe someone arranged to transfer police-related information to you, and you don't know who?"
"I know how it sounds."
"How were you contacted?"
"Indirectly. Phone. I received a message."
"From a number you recognized?"
"No."
"What did it say?"
"That information connected to the old record would be left at Magnolia Road Diner."
"When?"
"Tonight."
Price stared at her. "That's why you took this shift."
"Yes."
"So, working here was part of the plan?"
"No. I actually work here. Ruth hired me months ago."
"Did Ruth know about the transfer?"
"No."
"Daniel?"
"No."
"Eli?"
"No."
"Caleb?"
"No."
"Did anyone in this room know?"
"Not that I'm aware of."
Price lowered her voice. "Did you receive the item?"
Maya did not answer. Price's expression hardened.
"You just told me we were finished with partial answers."
"I told you why I was here. That isn't the same thing. If I tell you where the card is before the records are protected, Brett gets exactly what he came for."
"Brett is not in charge of what happens to evidence now."
"He doesn't have to be." Price waited; Maya continued: "If the card becomes the focus, he can challenge where it came from, who touched it, whether I created it, whether I copied anything, whether I had a personal motive. You heard him: he already knows every argument."
"He may have valid arguments."
"He does."
Price seemed surprised by the answer; Maya continued: "That's why I'm not asking you to believe the card."
"Then what are you asking me to believe?"
"Nothing yet."
Price leaned forward. "Then why bring me into this?"