"It is the correct answer."
"No. The correct answer is that Noah talked."
Boone said nothing.
Mercer walked closer. "You knew he was going to turn."
"I knew he was nervous."
"And you still let him leave."
"You were the one working beside him all afternoon."
Mercer gave a short laugh. "So that is mine, too?"
Boone lowered his voice. "You created the roadside problem. I have been trying to contain it."
Maya listened from the office doorway. One of her wrists remained cuffed to the metal fixture beside the desk, but Boone had left the door open so he could keep her in sight.
Mercer pointed toward the Harley. "You keep saying I created the problem. Who told us what kind of vehicles to look for?"
Boone looked toward the towing contractor. "Careful."
Mercer continued. "Who told us what paperwork mattered? Who explained how to hold a vehicle long enough for fees to build?"
"Wade."
"Who taught us how to get the value down before disposal?"
Boone stepped closer. "Stop talking."
Maya spoke calmly. "He is asking reasonable questions."
Boone turned toward her. "Stay out of this."
Maya did not stop. "Deputy Mercer seems concerned that he is carrying the visible part of the operation."
Mercer looked at Boone.
Maya continued. "The roadside contact is in his name. The damage is tied to him. The initial seizure decision is tied to him."
Boone said, "You do not know what you are talking about."
"Then correct me."
He did not answer.
Maya looked at Mercer. "Which one of you decided the identification had to become unreadable?"
Boone immediately said, "Nobody decided that."
Mercer looked at him. Maya waited.
Boone added, "If he struck the wrong place, that was his decision."
Mercer's expression changed. "My decision?"
Boone realized what he had said. Mercer stepped toward him. "You told me we needed a seizure basis."
"I told you to verify the vehicle."
"You told me to make sure it could not be cleared roadside."