SHE TOLD THE COP SHE HUNTED DIRTY COPS — HIS SMILE DISAPPEARED INSTANTLY

AMERICAN CRIME DRAMA · POLICE CORRUPTION · HIDDEN IDENTITY · REVENGE · JUSTICE

CHAPTER 1 — THE BADGE HE SHOULD NEVER HAVE TOUCHED

The highway was almost completely deserted.

It was 11:47 p.m. on a Thursday night, and a cold wind swept across the empty stretch of Interstate 80 outside Chicago. The nearest gas station was several miles away. Beyond the highway shoulder, dark fields stretched toward the distant silhouettes of warehouses and industrial buildings.

A police cruiser sat behind a black sedan, its emergency lights flashing against the darkness.

Standing beside the vehicle was a woman wearing a black leather jacket, dark jeans, and black boots.

Her name was Agent Victoria Hayes.

She was thirty-six years old, with shoulder-length dark brown hair, sharp features, and an expression that revealed almost nothing. Her appearance was understated. No expensive jewelry. No designer handbag. No visible signs of authority.

She looked like an ordinary woman who had experienced an inconvenient traffic stop.

But there was something unusual about the way she stood.

She wasn't nervous.

She wasn't arguing.

And she certainly wasn't afraid.

Standing behind her was Officer Derek Collins, a white police officer in his early forties. He was broad-shouldered, with short blond hair and a permanent expression of irritation.

He had stopped Victoria twelve minutes earlier.

Initially, he claimed her rear license plate was partially obscured.

Then he said her vehicle matched a description from a suspicious activity report.

When she asked what activity he was referring to, he refused to explain.

Now, he was searching her belongings.

"Keep your hands where I can see them," Collins ordered.

Victoria stood still.

"I've already complied with everything you've asked."

"Then this shouldn't take long."

Collins reached into the outer pocket of her leather jacket.

Victoria glanced at his hand.

"Officer, what exactly are you looking for?"

"Something you should have told me about."

"I've told you everything you need to know."

Collins ignored her.

His fingers touched a small rectangular object.

He pulled it out.

A black leather badge wallet.

He opened it.

Inside was a metallic federal identification badge.

Collins stared at it.

Then a slow smile spread across his face.

"Well, well, well."

He lifted the badge between his fingers.

"Look what we have here."

Victoria said nothing.

Collins turned the badge toward the flashing patrol lights.

He examined the emblem, then looked at the woman standing in front of him.

"What's this supposed to be?"

"My identification."

He laughed.

"Your identification?"

"That's what I said."

He held it higher.

"You're telling me you're some kind of federal agent?"

Victoria looked directly into his eyes.

"Yes."

Collins laughed louder.

"That's hilarious."

He turned the badge over.

"Do you know how many fake badges I've seen in my career?"

"Probably quite a few."

His smile widened.

"You're funny."

He stepped closer.

"You know what I think?"

Victoria remained silent.

"I think you bought yourself a little badge, watched too many television shows, and decided you could drive around pretending to be somebody important."

Victoria slowly tilted her head.

"Are you finished?"

Collins stopped smiling for a moment.

"What?"

"Are you finished examining my identification?"

He looked at her as if she had just insulted him.

"You don't get to tell me when I'm finished."

He placed the badge against his chest.

"Maybe I'll keep this."

Victoria's expression remained unchanged.

"That would be a mistake."

Collins grinned.

"Another threat?"

"No."

She paused.

"A professional observation."

He chuckled.

"Listen, lady. You're standing on the side of my highway, next to my patrol car. I'm the one asking questions here."

Victoria looked at the badge in his hand.

Then she looked back at him.

And finally, she spoke.

"My job is dealing with dirty cops."

The smile disappeared from Collins's face.

For a second, the only sound was the wind moving across the highway.

He stared at her.

"What did you just say?"

Victoria didn't repeat herself.

Instead, she extended her hand.

"Give me my badge."

Collins swallowed.

His fingers tightened around the leather wallet.

"Who exactly do you work for?"

Victoria looked at him coldly.

"Now you're asking the right question."

Collins glanced toward his patrol vehicle.

Then toward the empty highway.