Several hours later, Officer Vance was summoned to the transit police headquarters.
He arrived without his tactical vest.
His supervisor, Captain Robert Ellis, was waiting in a conference room.
Two internal affairs investigators were also present.
CAPTAIN ELLIS:
"Officer Vance, take a seat."
Vance sat down.
CAPTAIN ELLIS:
"I've reviewed the initial notification from the FBI."
OFFICER VANCE:
"Captain, I want to explain what happened."
CAPTAIN ELLIS:
"You'll have an opportunity."
OFFICER VANCE:
"The subject was carrying suspicious documents. I believed there was a possibility of fraud."
CAPTAIN ELLIS:
"Did you receive a complaint?"
OFFICER VANCE:
"No."
CAPTAIN ELLIS:
"Did you observe any criminal activity?"
OFFICER VANCE:
"He became uncooperative."
CAPTAIN ELLIS:
"That isn't an answer."
Vance shifted in his chair.
CAPTAIN ELLIS:
"Did you see him commit a crime?"
OFFICER VANCE:
"No."
CAPTAIN ELLIS:
"Then explain why you took his pension envelope."
OFFICER VANCE:
"I was securing it."
CAPTAIN ELLIS:
"Where is the property receipt?"
OFFICER VANCE:
"I hadn't completed it."
CAPTAIN ELLIS:
"Where is the incident report?"
OFFICER VANCE:
"I was still investigating."
CAPTAIN ELLIS:
"Why did you tell dispatch that the subject was physically aggressive?"
Vance hesitated.
OFFICER VANCE:
"He was resisting."
CAPTAIN ELLIS:
"We have video."
Vance looked up.
CAPTAIN ELLIS:
"We have the station recording, the passenger recording, and your body camera."
The room became silent.
CAPTAIN ELLIS:
"All three show the same thing. An elderly man asked you why you were taking his property. You grabbed the envelope, pushed him to the ground, and then refused his request for medical assistance."
Vance swallowed.
OFFICER VANCE:
"I didn't intend to injure him."
CAPTAIN ELLIS:
"Intent is not the only issue."
One of the internal affairs investigators opened a folder.
INVESTIGATOR:
"Officer Vance, we also need an explanation for the missing federal credential."
Vance looked confused.
OFFICER VANCE:
"I don't know anything about that."
INVESTIGATOR:
"The credential was inside the envelope when Mr. Whitmore left the federal office. It was missing when the FBI recovered the documents."
OFFICER VANCE:
"I didn't take it."
INVESTIGATOR:
"Then why does the station footage show you removing a small object from the envelope?"
Vance's expression changed.
OFFICER VANCE:
"I don't remember."
CAPTAIN ELLIS:
"You don't remember?"
OFFICER VANCE:
"It was a chaotic situation."
CAPTAIN ELLIS:
"An elderly man on the floor asking for his documents back?"
Vance remained silent.
CAPTAIN ELLIS:
"Officer, I need you to understand how serious this has become."
He placed a document on the table.
CAPTAIN ELLIS:
"Effective immediately, you're relieved of your normal patrol assignment pending the investigation."
Vance stared at him.
OFFICER VANCE:
"You're suspending me?"
CAPTAIN ELLIS:
"You're being placed on administrative leave while the allegations are examined."
OFFICER VANCE:
"That's unfair."
CAPTAIN ELLIS:
"Then provide evidence supporting your account."
Vance looked down.
He had no answer.
***
Meanwhile, the FBI had discovered another important detail.
The man who picked up the missing identification card had entered the station through the western entrance approximately fifteen minutes before Arthur arrived.
He had not purchased a ticket.
He had not approached the ticket machines.
He had simply walked through the station, stopped near the platform, and waited.
Agent Harris examined the footage.
AGENT HARRIS:
"He appears to know where he's going."
AGENT MILLER:
"Can we identify him?"
AGENT HARRIS:
"Not yet. His face is partially covered."
Miller leaned closer.
AGENT MILLER:
"Look at his left hand."
Harris zoomed in.
A small metallic object was visible near the man's wrist.
AGENT MILLER:
"That's a distinctive watch."
AGENT MILLER:
"Can we trace the purchase?"
AGENT HARRIS:
"Possibly. But we need a clearer image."
Miller looked at the time stamp.
The man had entered the station before the incident.
He had been waiting near the exact location where Arthur eventually stopped.
That changed everything.
AGENT MILLER:
"This wasn't random."
HARRIS:
"You think he knew Whitmore would be here?"
MILLER:
"I think we need to find out."
Miller immediately contacted the field office.
He requested additional surveillance footage from nearby streets and the surrounding transportation network.
Then he returned to the hospital.
***
Arthur was resting when Miller entered.
Rebecca was sitting beside him.
AGENT MILLER:
"Mr. Whitmore, I need to ask you something important."
Arthur opened his eyes.
ARTHUR:
"Go ahead."
AGENT MILLER:
"Did anyone contact you before you went to the retirement office this morning?"
Arthur thought for a moment.
ARTHUR:
"Yes. I received a phone call yesterday afternoon."
Miller immediately became attentive.
AGENT MILLER:
"Who called?"
ARTHUR:
"A man who introduced himself as a representative from the pension administration."
REBECCA:
"What did he want?"
ARTHUR:
"He said there was a final verification issue and that I needed to bring my identification documents when collecting the settlement."
Miller exchanged a glance with Rebecca.
AGENT MILLER:
"Did he give you his name?"
ARTHUR:
"Something like Martin. I don't remember the surname."
AGENT MILLER:
"Did you verify the call?"
Arthur shook his head.
ARTHUR:
"I had already received a letter from the retirement office. I assumed it was connected."
Miller opened his folder.
AGENT MILLER:
"Do you still have the letter?"
ARTHUR:
"At home."
AGENT MILLER:
"Did it contain an official reference number?"
ARTHUR:
"Yes."
Miller looked toward Rebecca.
AGENT MILLER:
"Can someone retrieve it?"
REBECCA:
"I can go home."