"Without coordinating with my office."
"The authorization was served through the appropriate channels."
He smiled faintly.
"That's not what I asked."
Mercer stepped closer.
"These officers have jobs to do. We have active investigations, court appearances, and evidence that needs processing. You can't simply walk into a precinct and shut everything down."
I looked toward the corridor.
Several officers were continuing their normal duties.
The public service counter remained open.
Emergency calls were being answered.
No one had been ordered to stop legitimate police work.
"We've restricted only the areas and records necessary to preserve evidence," I answered.
Mercer's smile disappeared.
"You're taking an aggressive approach to something that may be a clerical misunderstanding."
I held his gaze.
"Then the records should help establish that."
For several seconds, he stared at me.
Then he lowered his voice.
"You understand what happens when investigators start treating an entire police station like a crime scene?"
I considered.
"Usually, the officers who maintained accurate records have very little to worry about."
His jaw tightened.
I continued.
"But the disappearance of a ledger immediately before an evidence audit is something we have to examine."
Mercer looked toward the property-room door.
For the first time, I noticed genuine concern beneath his carefully controlled expression.
He turned back.
"That ledger was archived months ago."
"It's old."
"It may have been moved."
"That's what we're determining."
He exhaled sharply.
Then smiled again.
"You seem determined to find a scandal, Investigator."
I shook my head.
"I'm determined to find the facts."
His eyes narrowed.
"And if those facts don't support your suspicions?"
"Then our report will say so."
For several moments, neither of us moved.
Finally, Mercer stepped backward.
"Keep me informed."
"Through the established investigative channels."
His smile tightened.
He turned toward Lieutenant Whitaker, who had been standing silently near the hallway.
"Lieutenant. A word."
Whitaker followed him toward the command office.
I watched them go.
Then reached for my phone.
My investigative partner, Special Agent Dana Hill, answered immediately.
"Mercer's here."
She paused.
"Already?"
"Already."
"How did he take it?"
I looked toward the command office.
"Like a man who arrived expecting to control the conversation."
Dana was quiet for a moment.
Then asked, "And the ledger?"
"Still missing."
"Any leads?"
I watched Evelyn Price emerge from the property room carrying a sealed file box.
I lowered my voice.
"Start with the access logs. I want to know who entered the archives between Friday afternoon and this morning."
Dana answered without hesitation.
Then I added, "And check whether Deputy Chief Mercer's office requested any emergency access over the weekend."
There was a pause.
"You think he moved it?"
"I think he knew it was missing before anyone told him."