Yet Keller had managed to turn the first morning of the investigation into an entirely new incident.
And now, as he returned to his desk, Simone was beginning to understand something important.
The problem might be deeper than the original documents suggested.
At 10:18 a.m., Chief Whitmore closed the door to his office.
Simone sat opposite him.
A thin folder rested on the desk between them.
Whitmore looked uncomfortable.
"I want to begin by apologizing personally."
"You've already acknowledged the incident."
"I know. But I still want to say it. What happened out there was unacceptable."
Simone nodded.
"Then let's make sure the response is equally professional."
Whitmore leaned back.
"Officer Keller has been with this department for eleven years. He's had some complaints, but nothing that resulted in a major disciplinary action."
"How many complaints?"
Whitmore hesitated.
"I'd have to check the records."
"Please do."
"Most were related to his communication style. Arguments with civilians. Complaints about unnecessary force during arrests. Nothing that resulted in a criminal charge."
"How many?"
"I don't have the exact number."
Simone opened her folder.
"According to the preliminary records provided to my office, there are seven formal civilian complaints and three internal reports involving Officer Keller over the past four years."
Whitmore's expression changed.
"Seven?"
"Seven formal complaints. Three internal reports. There may be additional records that haven't yet been provided."
The chief rubbed his forehead.
"Why wasn't I informed about this?"
"That's something I would like to understand."
Whitmore looked at her.
"Are you suggesting someone concealed these records from me?"
"I'm not suggesting anything yet, Chief. I'm asking questions."
He fell silent.
Simone opened the folder and removed a printed document.
"Do you recognize this case number?"
Whitmore examined it.
"Yes. That was the Walker arrest."
"Are you familiar with the allegations?"
"I remember the arrest. There was an internal review after the attorney challenged the report."
"What was the outcome?"
"The report was reviewed. The officers were cleared."
"Who conducted the review?"
Whitmore frowned.
"I believe it was Lieutenant Harris."
"Did the review include the original body-camera recording?"
"It should have."
"Should have?"
Whitmore looked at the document again.
"I don't know. I wasn't directly involved."
Simone placed another sheet on the desk.
"This is a copy of the evidence review summary. It states that the recording was unavailable due to a technical malfunction."
"Yes."
"However, our preliminary examination of the device records indicates that the recording was manually terminated."
Whitmore stared at her.
"Are you certain?"
"We are verifying the original records. But the preliminary information is significant."
"That would change everything."
"It could."
Whitmore stood and walked toward the window.
Outside, the parking lot was crowded with patrol vehicles.
He looked down at them for several seconds.
"Ms. Brooks, I have worked in this department for thirty-two years. I've seen good officers make bad decisions. I've also seen people destroy their careers because they couldn't admit they were wrong."
Simone waited.
"But I don't believe this department is corrupt."
"Then the investigation should help establish that."
Whitmore turned.
"What do you need from me?"
"Full access to the relevant records, preservation of electronic evidence, and cooperation from every employee involved. No one should be warned about specific interview questions. No one should be permitted to contact potential witnesses to influence their statements."
"Understood."
"And I want the original complaint files, including those that were closed without disciplinary action."
"I'll arrange it."
Simone closed her folder.
"One more thing."
"Yes?"
"Officer Keller should not participate in any activity involving the evidence under review until the preliminary examination is complete."
Whitmore nodded.
"I'll place him on administrative reassignment."
"Please document the decision."
"I will."
The chief sat down again.
"May I ask you something?"
"Of course."
"Why didn't you simply identify yourself more forcefully when he challenged you?"
Simone considered the question.
"I did identify myself."
"I mean, why didn't you tell him that the chief was expecting you?"
"Because the procedure for verifying my credentials does not depend on whether the chief is expecting me."
Whitmore nodded slowly.
She continued.
"If an officer believes identification may be fraudulent, the correct response is to verify it. Not humiliate the person presenting it. Not threaten them. Not throw their credentials away."
"I agree."
"And if someone can only behave professionally after discovering that the person in front of them has more authority, then we have a much bigger problem than a misunderstanding."
Whitmore looked down at the folder.
For the first time, he seemed to recognize that the morning's confrontation was not merely an embarrassing personnel issue.
It was an example of the very culture the investigation was examining.
Outside the chief's office, Keller was having a difficult time controlling his thoughts.
He sat at his desk, staring at his computer screen.
A report he had been reviewing remained open, but he had not read a single line in several minutes.
He could still see the gold badge inside the trash can.
He could still hear the chief saying the words Department of Justice.
He remembered the woman's expression.
Not anger.
Not humiliation.
Not fear.
She had looked at him as though she were observing an event that had already become part of a larger record.
That was what bothered him.
He had seen angry civilians.
He had seen frightened suspects.
He had dealt with attorneys who threatened lawsuits and journalists who demanded explanations.
But Simone Brooks had not behaved like any of them.
She had watched him make a mistake without trying to stop him.
And now he was beginning to wonder whether she had known exactly who he was before she entered the building.
A chair moved beside him.
Detective Marcus Hill sat down.
"You okay?"
Keller didn't look up.
"Do I look okay?"
"Not particularly."
"Then don't ask stupid questions."
Hill studied him.
"What happened this morning wasn't good."
Keller finally turned.
"You want to lecture me?"
"No."
"Then what?"
"I'm telling you that you should probably cooperate."
Keller laughed bitterly.
"Cooperate? With that woman?"
"She's a federal investigator."
"I know what she is."
"Do you?"
Keller narrowed his eyes.
"What does that mean?"
Hill lowered his voice.
"Her visit wasn't a surprise to the department's leadership. I heard about it yesterday."
Keller stared at him.
"What?"
"There's been a federal inquiry. Something involving evidence records and complaints."
Keller's face became rigid.
"What kind of inquiry?"
"I don't know all the details."
"Then why are you talking?"