Remnants

"You need what now?" Zach’s voice was sharp, though he leaned closer as if Takumi’s request was somehow a mistake he had misheard.

Takumi sighed, rubbing the bridge of his nose. The words had been difficult enough to say the first time, but now he had to repeat himself. “Samantha’s belongings. The ones taken from her office and from her home for evidence after the incident.”

Zach sat back in his chair, his expression shifting from disbelief to suspicion. “You’re kidding me. That’s highly restricted material. Chain of custody rules. You know I can’t just hand it over.”

“I’m not asking you to hand anything over,” Takumi replied evenly. “I just need access. A chance to examine them.”

“For what?” Zach asked, his tone laced with doubt. “You think her hairbrush or her diary is going to solve this mess?”