The doors that Mercer had left hanging open were now closed. The hood was down. Someone had cleaned up the chaos.
"That's not how they left it," Marcus said. Brooks pulled out her phone and called the federal forensics team waiting in their van. "We're here.
Start photographing everything before we approach the vehicle." Two FBI technicians emerged with professional cameras and evidence bags. Marcus watched them document the SUV from every angle, capturing details that would matter in court.
The impound supervisor, a tired looking man named Rodriguez, approached with a clipboard. Agent Brooks, I have the access log you requested. She took the clipboard and scanned the entries.
Two visits. yesterday at 4:17 p.m. Today at 11:30 a.m. Both signed by Lieutenant Wade Hollis. He said it was routine inventory procedures, Rodriguez explained.
Had proper authorization papers each time. Marcus felt anger building in his chest. Show me those papers.
Rodriguez flipped through his clipboard, frowning. I thought they were. Let me check my office.
He walked away, leaving Marcus and Brooks standing beside the vehicle. The FBI technicians continued their work, documenting scratches and damage that hadn't been there during the roadside stop. Brooks's voice was quiet but urgent.
Look at the rear passenger door. He moved around the SUV and immediately saw what she meant. The door handle showed fresh tool marks, scratches in the metal that definitely hadn't existed yesterday.
"They forced entry," Marcus said. "After it was impounded," Brooks confirmed. "They had no legal authority to touch it."
The sound of approaching footsteps made them both turn. Lieutenant Wade Hollis walked through the impound gate flanked by two officers, his face set in hard lines. "Agent Brooks," he called out.
"I need to speak with you." Brooks stepped between Hollis and the SUV. "Lieutenant, this vehicle is under federal examination.
You have no authority here." "That's where you're wrong," Hollis replied, producing a folded document from his jacket. "This SUV remains evidence in our ongoing investigation.
The FBI has no jurisdiction over local police matters." Marcus moved to Brooks's side, his voice deadly calm. "What investigation would that be, Lieutenant?
The one where your officers illegally detained a federal agent? Or the one where you're covering up evidence tampering?" Hollis's jaw tightened.
Agent Vance, I understand you're upset about yesterday's misunderstanding, but making wild accusations won't. Two visits, Marcus interrupted. Your department accessed federal property twice after it was impounded.
Why? "Routine inventory procedures, as I told the supervisor." "Then you won't mind producing the signed inventory sheets."
Hollis glanced toward Rodriguez's office, then back at Marcus. Those documents are being processed through proper channels. Brooks stepped forward, her federal authority clear in her posture.