The fifth floor of the municipal building was crowded with police investigators and public defenders pushing metal carts down the narrow hallway.

Prosecutor Sarah Jenkins opened the manila case file labeled with Toby’s name and pointed to the wooden armchairs facing her desk.

“Detective Miller sent over his preliminary report this morning,” Sarah said, pulling the thick red rubber band off the folder.

“He said you had physical evidence to submit directly to my office.”

I reached into my briefcase and set the small encrypted flash drive on the green desk blotter.

Next to it, I laid the clear plastic evidence bag holding the cashier’s check.