Simone spoke calmly.
“It’s my vehicle’s rear security camera.”
Crowley stared at her.
“You recording me?”
Simone nodded.
“The system records when the car is parked or when unusual activity occurs nearby.”
Crowley stepped closer.
“Turn it off.”
Simone did not move.
“Officer, the system records automatically.”
Crowley’s face reddened.
“I said turn it off.”
Noah looked toward his supervisor.
“Sir, I don’t think we should interfere with the vehicle’s recording equipment.”
Crowley glared.
“Nobody asked for your opinion.”
Noah swallowed.
He was still new.
He needed the job.
But something about the situation was beginning to feel deeply wrong.
Crowley turned back toward Simone.
“Give me the keys.”
She looked at him.
“For what reason?”
“Impound.”
“Has a citation been issued?”
“No.”
“Has the registration been verified?”
Crowley’s jaw tightened.
“Don’t test me.”
Simone took a slow breath.
Then she said quietly:
“Deputy, I think you should stop making demands and contact your supervisor.”
Crowley laughed.
“Lady, around here, I am the supervisor.”
But Noah had already noticed something else.
The security camera wasn’t the only unusual object behind the sedan.
A second device lay on the gravel near the rear tire.
And this one appeared to belong to the patrol vehicle.
Chapter 4: The Object in the Gravel
Noah walked toward the second object.
It was a small metal bracket with a magnetic base.
A short cable hung from one side.
He recognized it from the patrol equipment storage room.
The department used similar mounts for temporary vehicle tracking equipment during authorized investigations.
But this device was not attached to a department vehicle.
It was lying beneath Simone’s Mercedes.
Noah looked toward Crowley.
“Sir, did you place anything on this car?”
Crowley turned sharply.
“What are you talking about?”
Noah held up the bracket.
“This.”
Crowley’s face changed.
For a moment, he looked genuinely alarmed.
Then he recovered.
“Put that down.”
Noah hesitated.
“Is it department property?”
“That’s none of your business.”
Simone stepped closer, keeping a respectful distance.
“Deputy Bennett, please don’t alter anything until it’s documented.”
Crowley glared at her.
“You don’t get to tell my partner what to do.”
Simone remained calm.
“I’m asking him to preserve potential evidence.”
Noah looked between them.
He knew the correct procedure.
If an unfamiliar device was discovered during an active stop, it needed to be documented.
He carefully placed it on a clean section of gravel.
Then he took a photograph.
Crowley stepped toward him.
“Delete that.”
Noah looked up.
“Sir?”
“I said delete the picture.”
The rookie’s hands began to tremble.
He had never been ordered to delete documentation during an investigation.
And he knew that doing so could violate department policy.
He took a breath.
“Sir, I can’t delete evidence from an active encounter.”
Crowley’s expression darkened.
“You’re making a very big mistake.”
Noah looked down.
Perhaps he was.
But the object on the gravel had just changed everything.
Chapter 5: The Hidden Camera Footage
Simone reached carefully into her handbag.
Crowley immediately shouted.
“Keep your hands where I can see them!”
