Both meetings had been formal.
The mayor's office had described him as disciplined, analytical, and unusually difficult to intimidate.
The name on the agenda was Isaiah Carter.
At 8:55, Brooks had checked with the administrative office.
"Is Commander Carter here?"
The administrator had said yes.
Or at least, she believed he was.
"His car arrived around 7:50."
"Have you seen him?"
"No."
Brooks had frowned.
She assumed he was somewhere in the building.
Maybe observing.
Maybe meeting someone privately.
That would fit his reputation.
Isaiah Carter was known for walking into institutions without announcing himself.
He believed that official introductions were useful for ceremony but terrible for investigation.
If people knew who was watching, they performed.
If they did not, they behaved naturally.
That was precisely why he had chosen to arrive early.
He wanted to see Precinct 54 before the precinct saw him.
The command announcement had been scheduled for 9:00.
He had planned to observe the lobby for about an hour, identify patterns, and then introduce himself.
Instead, he had been slapped.
Cuffed.
Dragged into processing.
And charged with assaulting an officer.
Captain Brooks looked at the clock.
9:01.
She cleared her throat.
"Good morning, everyone."
Approximately thirty officers and civilian employees were gathered in the room.
Sullivan was not there.
Hayes was not there.
Brooks noticed.
She also noticed two empty chairs near the front.
"Before we begin, is Officer Sullivan available?"
Nobody answered.
Brooks looked toward the administrative officer.
"Where is he?"
The administrator checked her phone.
"I'll find him."
Brooks nodded.
She turned back toward the room.
"All right."
She paused.
"Today marks the beginning of a new command structure for Precinct 54."
There was polite applause.
Brooks continued.
"The department has selected Commander Isaiah Carter to take responsibility for this precinct effective immediately."
The applause stopped.
Not because anyone was shocked by the appointment.
Because the room was suddenly filled with confusion.
A young officer raised his eyebrows.
Someone whispered.
"Where is he?"
Brooks looked toward the door.
"He's supposed to be here."
The administrative officer hurried out.
Downstairs, Isaiah heard the distant announcement through the ceiling.
He could not make out every word.
But he heard his name.
"Commander Isaiah Carter..."
The sound of his own name echoed faintly through the ventilation system.
He closed his eyes.
Then the processing-room door opened.
Sullivan walked back in.
He was holding a set of papers.
"You ready to sign?"
Isaiah opened his eyes.
"No."
Sullivan frowned.
"Then you're going to make this harder."
"I didn't do what your report says."
"You can explain that to the judge."
Isaiah looked at him.
"Can I ask you something?"
Sullivan sighed.
"What?"
"Do you know who is being introduced upstairs?"
Sullivan laughed.
"Yes."
"Who?"
"Our new commander."
"Do you know his name?"
Sullivan paused.
"Why?"
"Because I want to know whether you know the person you're waiting for."
Sullivan stared at him.
Then he smiled.
"Isaiah Carter."
The room went completely still.
Isaiah nodded.
"That's correct."
Sullivan's smile remained.
"What's your point?"
Isaiah looked directly into his eyes.
"I'm Isaiah Carter."
Sullivan stopped breathing for a fraction of a second.
Then he laughed.
A nervous, disbelieving laugh.
"Very funny."
Isaiah did not move.
Sullivan's face changed.
"No."
Isaiah remained silent.
Sullivan took one step backward.
"You can't be."
"I am."
Sullivan stared at him.
The color slowly drained from his face.
Behind him, Hayes appeared in the doorway.
"What took you so—"
He stopped.
He looked at Sullivan.
Then Isaiah.
"What?"
Sullivan did not answer.
Hayes frowned.
"What happened?"
Sullivan's lips moved.
Nothing came out.
Isaiah finally spoke.
"Officer Hayes."
Hayes looked at him.
"Yes?"
"You told me everything is a version until a judge decides."
Hayes stared.
Isaiah continued.
"I think we're about to find out which version the department's records support."
Hayes looked confused.
Sullivan turned toward him.
"He's the commander."
Hayes laughed.
"What?"
"The new commander."
Hayes looked at Isaiah.
Then at Sullivan.
Then back at Isaiah.
"No."
Isaiah said nothing.
Hayes shook his head.
"That's not possible."
"Why?"
"Because..."
He stopped.
He had no answer.
Sullivan reached for the door.
"Captain Brooks needs to see him."
Isaiah looked at him.
"Captain Brooks will see me."
Sullivan froze.
Isaiah's voice remained calm.
"You don't need to take me anywhere."
Sullivan slowly lowered his hand.
Hayes stared at the cuffs.
"Oh my God."
Isaiah looked down at his wrists.
"Yes."
Hayes swallowed.
"We didn't know."
Isaiah looked at him.
"That's the problem."
Captain Brooks reached the processing room less than thirty seconds later.
She arrived with two senior officers and the administrative officer.
The moment she saw Isaiah, she stopped.
Her face changed.
"Commander?"
Isaiah looked at her.
"Captain Brooks."
She stepped forward.
"My God."
Her eyes went to his cuffs.
"Who did this?"
Nobody answered.
Brooks looked at Sullivan.
"Who put him in cuffs?"
Sullivan's mouth opened.
"I—"
Brooks raised her voice.
"Who?"
"I did."
"Why?"
"He was interfering with officers."
Brooks stared at him.
"That man is Commander Isaiah Carter."
"I know now."
"Now?"
The word echoed through the hallway.
Brooks stepped closer to Isaiah.
"Commander, I'm so sorry."
Isaiah looked at her.
"Take the cuffs off."
She turned.
"Do it."
Sullivan hesitated.
"Officer Sullivan."
He unlocked the cuffs.
Isaiah brought his hands forward slowly.
Red marks circled both wrists.
Brooks looked at them.
Then she looked at Sullivan.
"Get out."
Sullivan stood frozen.
"Captain—"