“Transfer anomalies started after Cole centralized impound logistics.”
“That's policy.”
“I know.”
“What else?”
Hale rubbed both hands together.
“Two years ago, I reviewed a civil complaint.”
“Man named Darius Kemp.”
Maya knew the case.
“Traffic stop.”
“Yes.”
“Thirty-four thousand dollars cash seized.”
“Kemp claimed forty-eight.”
“Case dismissed.”
“Cash returned?”
“Thirty-four.”
Hale nodded.
“I checked bodycam.”
“At one point officer says, ‘That's forty-six so far.’”
Maya leaned forward.
“Who was officer?”
“Danny Reyes.”
“Who supervised evidence transfer?”
“Lieutenant Brennan.”
Priya looked toward conference room where Brennan had been seated earlier.
“He’s still in building?”
Hale nodded.
“Under instruction.”
Maya asked:
“And Cole?”
“Approved final audit.”
Laura said:
“Why suspect deputy chief rather than Brennan?”
“Because Brennan was promoted three weeks later.”
Maya looked at Hale.
“What did you do?”
“I sent everything to Internal Affairs.”
“What happened?”
“File disappeared from tracking.”
“Who oversees IA liaison?”
Hale answered:
“Cole.”
Maya's jaw tightened.
Laura asked:
“Did you make copies?”
“Yes.”
“Where?”
“Home.”
“Anybody know?”
“No.”
Maya stared.
“Anonymous packages.”
Hale looked at her.
“No.”
“You sure?”
“Yes.”
“I thought about federal contact.”
“I didn't send them.”
That meant someone else inside district knew.
Priya said softly:
“Maybe Brennan.”
Hale looked at her.
“Why would Brennan report conspiracy he’s part of?”
“Maybe he isn't.”
Maya looked through glass.
Brennan sat alone at booking desk.
Head in hands.
“Or maybe someone wants us thinking he is.”
At 2:10 a.m., Lieutenant Brennan asked to speak privately.
Maya, Laura and Hale sat with him.
Brennan looked terrified.
“I want lawyer.”
Laura nodded.
“Then we stop.”
He looked frustrated.