“Listen to me carefully,” Miller commanded, his tone dripping with condescension. “I am sending you a link to our secure customs portal. You need to log in to authorize the destruction of the illicit contents. This will absolve you of the criminal association.” Evelyn fumbled with her mouse, the clicking loud and erratic in the quiet room. “I… I’m clicking it now,” she stammered. “It’s taking so long to load. My eyes aren’t what they used to be. Is this the right place? There’s so much red text.”
“Focus, ma’am!” Miller barked. “There is no time for incompetence. Do you want to go to jail, or do you want to fix this?” “I’m trying, I’m trying,” Evelyn sobbed, wiping her eyes with a lace handkerchief. She navigated to the site. “I see a box for my banking information. Why do you need that?”
“To verify your identity and cover the administrative cost of the evidence destruction,” he said smoothly. “It’s standard procedure, Mrs. Lemley. Now, enter your credentials. Do it now, or I’m calling the patrol unit to your street.” Evelyn stared at the screen.