“Send me copy.”
Malcolm uploaded the video to three places.
His encrypted case system.
Rachel.
A private cloud folder.
Then he photographed the file metadata.
Created checksum records.
Documented Margaret’s name and contact information.
Preserve first.
Argue later.
At 3:07, he entered the police department.
Evan accompanied him.
Margaret remained outside.
Malcolm asked for the watch commander.
A lieutenant named Pierce arrived.
“What can I do for you?”
“I represent Nia Bennett.”
“She’s being processed.”
“I know.”
“We are demanding preservation of every piece of evidence related to her arrest.”
Pierce frowned.
“That happens automatically.”
“Body-camera footage from both arresting officers.”
“Dash camera.”
“Parking-lot surveillance.”
“Dispatch audio.”
“CAD log.”
“Evidence intake.”
“Property inventory.”
“All communications with Maison Arquette.”
Pierce stared.
“You planning litigation before arraignment?”
Malcolm smiled slightly.
“I’m planning preservation before something becomes unavailable.”
Pierce did not like the implication.
“What exactly are you suggesting?”
Malcolm took out his phone.
“Watch.”
Rachel had advised him not to show the full copy yet.
Malcolm showed fifteen seconds.
Boone.
Patrol door.
Pouch.
Handbag.
Lieutenant Pierce stopped breathing normally.
“Play that again.”
“No.”
Pierce looked at him.
“Why?”
“Because I've shown enough to put the department on notice.”
The lieutenant’s expression hardened defensively.
“That video could be missing context.”
“Absolutely.”
“Which is why you're going to preserve yours.”
Pierce stared at him.
Malcolm continued.
“If Officer Boone’s body camera shows an innocent explanation, wonderful.”
“Preserve it.”
“If the patrol camera shows an innocent explanation, wonderful.”
“Preserve it.”
“If store video shows Nia stealing the bracelet, wonderful.”
“Preserve it.”
Pierce’s face shifted.
He understood the trap.
Malcolm was not demanding immediate agreement.
He was demanding evidence.
That was harder to resist.
“I’ll contact evidence.”
“Now.”
“Counselor—”
“Lieutenant.”
Malcolm lowered his voice.
“A civilian video appears to show one of your officers placing alleged stolen property into my client’s handbag.”
“She is currently detained inside your building.”
“I would strongly recommend you stop treating this like an ordinary booking.”
Pierce looked at Evan.
Then Malcolm.
Then walked away quickly.
At 3:22 p.m., Detective Leland entered Nia’s interview room.
His expression was different.
He sat.
“Your attorney is here.”
Nia nodded.
“Good.”
Leland looked toward the ceiling camera.
Then back.
“I’m going to ask one question.”
“Without my attorney?”
“You don't have to answer.”
Nia waited.
“When Officer Boone searched your bag, did you see him near it before the search?”
“Yes.”