[Day-15 21:50]
[Richmond Police Department -Evidence Room]
Officer Collins arrived for night shift with the careful steadiness of a man who had spent the last three hours rehearsing normalcy. His uniform felt stiff, his badge heavy. The night duty sergeant nodded from the dispatch desk, coffee mug in hand.
"Collins. Taking over evidence room tonight?"
"Yes, sir. Routine rotation." Collins kept his voice level, his eyes fixed on the middle distance of the sergeant's chest. "Don't look too eager. Don't look too nervous."
The sergeant drained his mug. "Alright. I'm doing rounds through the west side. Radio if you need anything."
"Will do, sir."
Collins watched the sergeant walk away, listened to the heavy door swing shut and lock. Alone. The hallway stretched before him, fluorescent lights humming their usual song. He checked his phone again. His account still empty. The clock on his screen read 21:58.
Two minutes.
