Walker stiffened.
"What are you doing?"
"Making a call."
"To whom?"
"My office."
Walker stepped forward.
"Agent, I would strongly recommend you wait."
Victoria stopped dialing.
"Why?"
Walker glanced at Collins.
It was a brief glance.
Almost invisible.
But Victoria noticed.
And she understood.
The two men were communicating without speaking.
Walker was trying to determine how much she knew.
Collins was waiting for instructions.
Victoria slowly lowered the phone.
"Sergeant Walker."
"Yes?"
"How long have you known Officer Collins?"
"Several years."
"And how long have you been supervising him?"
"About eighteen months."
She nodded.
"That's interesting."
"What is?"
"Because according to the records I've reviewed, every complaint against Officer Collins was assigned to your office."
Walker's expression hardened.
"That's normal procedure."
"Perhaps."
Victoria took one step closer.
"But every single investigation was closed within forty-eight hours."
"That doesn't mean anything."
"And every report contained nearly identical language."
Walker folded his arms.
"Are you accusing me of something?"
Victoria looked at him.
"I'm asking a question."
"Then ask it."
"Why did you close the investigation into the missing cash from the vehicle of a sixty-eight-year-old retired teacher?"
Walker didn't respond.
Victoria continued.
"Why did you approve Officer Collins's statement when the body-camera footage was missing?"
Still nothing.
"And why did the department receive an anonymous payment three days after the complaint was dismissed?"
Walker's expression changed.
Collins looked toward his supervisor.
"Sergeant?"
Walker ignored him.
Victoria watched both men.
Then she said:
"Now I have another question."
Walker finally spoke.
"What?"
"Which one of you is going to tell me where the money went?"
CHAPTER 3 — THE FIRST CRACK IN THE WALL
Walker laughed.
It was a short, uncomfortable laugh.
"Agent, I think you've been given some bad information."
Victoria didn't move.
"Have I?"
"Absolutely."
He turned toward Collins.
"Officer, go sit in your vehicle."
Collins hesitated.
"Sergeant?"
"Now."
Collins walked toward the patrol car.
Walker waited until he was several feet away.
Then he lowered his voice.
"Agent Hayes, let's talk privately."
Victoria shook her head.
"No."
Walker's expression hardened.
"Excuse me?"
"Everything you say will be documented. There's no reason for a private conversation."
Walker stared at her.
"You don't understand how this department operates."
Victoria looked around at the empty highway.
"I understand more than you think."
Walker stepped closer.
"Listen carefully. This is a local matter. You're crossing into territory that doesn't belong to you."
Victoria replied calmly.
"That's interesting."
"What is?"
"Because the missing funds we're investigating came from a federal grant."
Walker's expression changed.
She continued.
"The money was allocated for a public safety program. It was supposed to purchase emergency equipment, improve training facilities, and support neighborhood patrols."
Walker said nothing.
"Instead, a substantial portion disappeared."
"That's an accounting issue."
"No."
Victoria looked directly at him.
"It's theft."
Walker shook his head.
"You're making serious allegations."
Victoria nodded.
"Yes. I am."
Then she pulled out a folded document.
She held it between two fingers.
"Do you recognize this?"
Walker looked at the paper.
It was a printed transaction record.
His name appeared near the bottom.
He stared at it.
"What is that?"
"A transfer authorization."
"I've never seen that."
"Your signature is on it."
Walker looked again.
His expression became increasingly uncomfortable.
"That could be forged."
"Possibly."
Victoria folded the document.
"That's why I'm not asking you to explain the signature."
Walker frowned.
"Then what are you asking?"
"Why your personal account received money from a company that doesn't exist."
Walker's face went pale.
He looked toward Collins.
Then back at Victoria.
"Where did you get that?"
Victoria put the document away.
"From the same place I got your name."
Walker lowered his voice.
"Who sent you?"
Victoria didn't answer.
He stepped closer.
"Was it the inspector general?"
Silence.
"Or the district attorney?"
Still silence.
Walker suddenly realized that she wasn't going to confirm anything.
He tried another approach.
"Agent, perhaps there's been a misunderstanding between our departments. I can arrange a meeting with the chief. We can review everything together."
Victoria looked at him.
"That would be helpful."
Walker's expression relaxed slightly.
"Good. Then let's make arrangements."
"But there's one condition."
"What?"
"The chief must be present."
Walker hesitated.
"And?"
"The internal affairs commander must be present."
He nodded.
"Fine."