Now Voss was Riverton’s deputy chief, responsible for internal operations and personnel discipline.
Marcus looked back at Simone.
“Was your complaint investigated?”
“Not that I know of.”
“Did you receive a written finding?”
“No, sir.”
“Then it wasn’t resolved.”
She blinked.
Marcus handed her the towel.
“Document what you remember, and preserve any records you still have.”
“Yes, Commander.”
He paused.
“And Officer Hart?”
“Yes?”
“Thank you for telling me.”
For the first time, some of the tension left her face.
Twenty minutes later, Marcus entered the surveillance office.
The room was small and windowless, filled with monitors displaying corridors, stairwells, parking areas, and building entrances.
Security technician Aaron Bell rose from his chair.
“Commander Reed.”
“Sit down, Aaron.”
Marcus pulled up another chair.
“I need the exterior recordings from seven thirty onward, including original files and all available camera angles.”
Aaron’s fingers moved across the keyboard.
“Yes, sir.”
“Preserve the audit logs too.”
Aaron hesitated.
“Those normally require authorization from Deputy Chief Voss.”
Marcus looked at him.
“Does the system allow a preservation hold by the commanding officer?”
“Yes.”
“Then initiate one and document the time.”
Aaron complied.
The first recording appeared.
Marcus watched himself approach headquarters carrying his coffee.
Briggs stepped into his path.
The officer’s deliberate movement was unmistakable.
The next moments unfolded exactly as Marcus remembered.
The cup was taken.
The coffee was thrown.
Briggs laughed.
Marcus felt his stomach tighten when he saw the pedestrians watching.
He could see the humiliation from their perspective now.
One man stood frozen beside a newspaper box.
A young woman covered her mouth.
Nobody knew whether intervening would make matters worse.
Then came the collar grab.
The attempted strike.
Marcus defending himself.