There were only twelve people with judicial-administration access.
She made a list.
Most were ordinary employees.
Two were supervisors.
One was the deputy court administrator.
His name was Marcus Vane.
Lydia stared at the photograph.
Marcus had worked at the courthouse for nine years.
He was respected.
Quiet.
Efficient.
Almost invisible.
He also had administrator credentials.
Lydia suddenly understood why the audit record had been restricted.
Marcus could access the evidence system without attracting attention.
But there was still one problem.
Why would he alter a surveillance video?
The answer came from another file.
Lydia searched Marcus's access history.
On April 17, Marcus had entered the courthouse at 8:56 p.m.
At 9:12, he accessed the restricted administrative floor.
At 9:39, his badge entered the parking structure.
At 10:04, it returned to the courthouse.
And at 2:13 a.m. on April 19—
his administrative credentials modified Exhibit 17.
Lydia whispered:
“Oh no.”
Then she saw something even worse.
Marcus had not acted alone.
At 2:11 a.m., another account had logged into the system.
The account belonged to—
Paul Renner.
The prosecutor.
Julian Cross confronted Victor Hale the next morning.
“You told the court the evidence was untouched.”
Victor remained calm.
“It was.”
“We have records showing otherwise.”
Victor said nothing.
“We have the original parking-garage recording.”
Still nothing.
“And we have an access trail connecting your credentials to the modification.”
Victor's face finally changed.
“You don't understand what you're looking at.”
“Then explain it.”
Victor leaned forward.
“The system performed an automated synchronization.”
Julian shook his head.
“Not according to the forensic examiner.”
Victor stood.
“You're making a mistake.”
“What mistake?”
“Assuming every access record represents an intentional modification.”
Julian smiled.
“I didn't assume.”
He placed a photograph on the desk.
It showed Marcus Vane entering the garage.
Victor stared at it.
Then Julian placed another photograph beside it.
It showed Victor's account accessing Exhibit 17 at 2:11 a.m.
Victor's voice became quiet.
“You shouldn't have that.”
Julian looked at him.
“That is exactly what I'm trying to understand.”
Mara returned to court.
This time, she wasn't in handcuffs.
The gallery was full.
Judge Wren entered.
Nobody spoke.
Julian stood.
“Your Honor, we request an evidentiary hearing concerning Exhibit 17.”
Victor objected immediately.
Judge Wren looked at him.
“On what grounds?”
Victor hesitated.
“Relevance.”
Julian answered.
“The prosecution's central evidence was altered.”
The courtroom erupted in whispers.
Judge Wren raised her hand.
Silence returned.
“Evidence?”
Julian submitted the original surveillance recording.
Then the forensic comparison.
Then the audit logs.
Finally, the access records.
Judge Wren examined each document.
Her expression became increasingly serious.
Mara watched her carefully.
The judge turned toward Victor.
“Mr. Hale.”
“Yes, Your Honor.”
“Did you access Exhibit 17 at 2:11 a.m. on April 19?”