The arrangement had been approved only after safeguards were established.
The agent was not supposed to surrender the original evidence to the municipal department.
She was supposed to present a limited inventory, confirm the status of certain police records, and preserve the evidence under federal control.
There was a reason for the distinction.
Investigators did not yet know whom they could trust inside Asheford headquarters.
The chief believed the meeting was routine cooperation.
The agent knew it was also a test.
And now, three hours later, she was standing in the police lobby beside a blonde officer who had destroyed her identification.
The test had produced an answer far more disturbing than she expected.
The police chief's phone continued ringing.
He finally answered.
"Chief speaking."
He listened.
His face tightened.
"Yes. She's here."
A pause.
"No, I wasn't present when it happened."
The chief glanced toward the blonde officer.
"Yes, I can ensure the lobby is preserved."
Another pause.
His shoulders seemed to sag.
"I understand."
He ended the call.
The blonde officer tried to speak.
"Chief, I need to explain—"
"Step away from the table."
"Sir, she presented suspicious identification."
"Step away."
The officer backed up.
The chief turned to a nearby patrol sergeant.
"Secure the lobby recordings. Preserve the security checkpoint footage, the radio traffic, and any body-worn camera recordings from this interaction. Do not allow anyone to erase or alter anything."
The sergeant nodded.
The chief continued.