Sheriff Thomas Mercer stood behind his desk, staring at a collection of printed documents.
Lieutenant Hayes sat opposite him.
"What do you mean the system has restricted access?" Mercer demanded.
Hayes adjusted his tie.
"The administrative record for Brooks has been locked. I tried to access it through the supervisor account, but the system rejected the request."
"Who authorized that?"
"I don't know."
"Find out."
"We're trying."
Mercer slammed a document onto the desk.
"I don't want excuses. I want answers."
Hayes remained silent.
Mercer walked toward the window.
For years, he had maintained informal control over the department's records. He knew which employees had access to sensitive information and which supervisors could approve changes. Nothing significant happened without his knowledge.
Yet the system had suddenly blocked him from accessing a detainee's file.
That was unacceptable.
"Call Information Technology," he ordered.
Hayes picked up his telephone.
Before he could dial, Mercer's personal mobile phone vibrated.
An unfamiliar number appeared.
He answered impatiently.
"Mercer."
A male voice responded.
"Good evening, Sheriff. This is the State Office of Law Enforcement Integrity."
Mercer's expression changed.
"What's this about?"
"We are contacting you regarding an individual currently being held at your precinct."
"Who?"
"Elena Brooks."
Mercer glanced at Hayes.
"Yes. She's being detained for refusing to cooperate with officers."
The voice remained professional.
"Under what specific legal authority?"
Mercer frowned.
"That's an internal matter."
"Not anymore, Sheriff."
He straightened.
"Excuse me?"
"Ms. Brooks has official investigative authorization. Her presence at your department is part of a confidential internal investigation."
Mercer felt a cold sensation move through his chest.
"What kind of investigation?"
"That information will be communicated through the appropriate channels."
"She is currently in my holding facility."
"Then I strongly advise you to preserve her safety, ensure that all procedures comply with applicable law, and avoid interfering with her work."
Mercer tightened his grip on the telephone.
"That's impossible!"
There was a pause.
"No, Sheriff. It is not."
Mercer turned toward Hayes.
"Who signed this authorization?"
"That is not information I can provide over an unsecured telephone line."
"Then send me the documents."
"They have already been transmitted to the department's official administrative account."
The call ended.
Mercer stood motionless.
Hayes watched him carefully.
"What happened?"
Mercer placed the telephone on his desk.
"She's an investigator."
Hayes frowned.
"Who?"
"Brooks."
Hayes's face lost color.
"An investigator from where?"
"State oversight."
For several seconds, neither man spoke.
Then Hayes stood.
"We need to get her out of here."
Mercer looked at him.
"What?"
"Release her. Immediately. We can say it was a misunderstanding."
Mercer shook his head.
"Do you understand what happens if we release her without knowing why she's here?"
"We already know why she's here."
"No. We know what they want us to believe."
Hayes lowered his voice.
"Thomas, if she's conducting an internal investigation, we shouldn't be touching this."
Mercer's eyes narrowed.
"Don't call me Thomas."
"Sorry, Sheriff."
"Who else knows?"
"I don't know."
Mercer walked back toward his desk.
"Get Collins."
Hayes hesitated.
"Why?"
"Because she was involved in the booking process."
"She only followed your instructions."
Mercer looked up.
"Exactly."
A few minutes later, Rachel entered the office.
"Deputy Collins reporting, Sheriff."
Mercer pointed toward the chair.
"Sit down."
She remained standing.
"Thank you, but I'm fine."
He studied her.
"Have you spoken with Brooks?"
"Yes, sir."
"What did she tell you?"
"She requested that we preserve the records and verify her authorization."
"Anything else?"
"She mentioned Daniel Price."
Hayes shifted uncomfortably.
Mercer noticed.
"What exactly did she say?"
"She said his case was one of the reasons she was here."
Mercer's face became expressionless.
"Did you discuss departmental records with her?"
"No, sir."
"Did you tell her anything about internal procedures?"
"No."
"Then why did you hesitate when I ordered you to process her?"
Rachel looked directly at him.
"Because we had not established the legal basis for the detention."
Mercer stood.
"Are you suggesting I acted improperly?"
"I'm saying we should follow procedure."
He stepped around the desk.
"You think this woman can come into my building, make accusations, and turn my people against me?"
Rachel said nothing.
Mercer pointed toward the door.
"Get back to work. And stay away from that cell unless I tell you otherwise."
Rachel turned to leave.
"One more thing," he added.
She stopped.
"If anyone asks about this incident, you will tell them that you followed my instructions."
Rachel nodded slowly.
"Understood, Sheriff."
When she left, Hayes closed the office door.
Mercer stared at the empty chair.
He had spent years ensuring that nobody questioned his authority.
Now an unknown investigator had walked into his department, and within minutes his control had begun to unravel.
He was not ready to accept that.
And he certainly was not ready to surrender.