Peter Evans: "I saw enough to know that it happened."
Mitchell's expression hardened.
Captain Mitchell: "Daniel, I want you to step away from Agent Carter."
Brooks remained where he was for a moment.
Then he took two steps backward.
Captain Mitchell: "Now, I would like everyone to understand something. This department has security procedures for a reason. We verify visitors, protect restricted information, and make sure that people entering this building have legitimate business here. But those procedures must be applied professionally and consistently."
He looked around the room.
Captain Mitchell: "An officer's responsibility is not to win an argument. It is to protect the public, follow the law, and maintain the trust that allows this department to function."
Emily listened carefully.
Mitchell turned toward her again.
Captain Mitchell: "Agent Carter, I understand that this is not the welcome you expected. I will personally make sure that your appointment proceeds without further interruption."
Emily: "Thank you, Captain. I appreciate that."
Captain Mitchell: "Before we continue, I would like to verify your credentials through the appropriate channel. Not because I doubt what Sarah has confirmed, but because that is the proper procedure."
Emily opened her handbag again and presented the identification wallet.
This time, Mitchell did not reach for it.
He examined the badge and identification card carefully, then contacted the federal agency using the official number listed in the department's verification directory.
The call was brief.
A representative confirmed Emily's identity, her current assignment, and the purpose of her scheduled visit.
Mitchell thanked the representative and ended the call.
He returned the identification wallet to Emily.
Captain Mitchell: "Everything is confirmed. Agent Carter, welcome to Westbridge."
Emily nodded.
Emily: "Thank you."
Mitchell then looked at Brooks.
Captain Mitchell: "I need you to return to your desk. Do not interfere with this meeting, and do not approach Agent Carter unless you are specifically instructed to do so."
Brooks' face turned red.
Officer Brooks: "Captain, I was only doing my job."
Captain Mitchell: "You can explain your actions in writing. For now, follow my instruction."
Brooks looked around the room.
He seemed to expect someone to support him, but nobody spoke.
He finally turned and walked toward the opposite side of the station.
Emily watched him leave.
She knew that the immediate confrontation was over, but the larger issue had not been resolved.
In fact, the incident had made her more certain that the investigation required a wider examination of the department's internal procedures.
Captain Mitchell picked up his coffee cup.
Captain Mitchell: "Agent Carter, shall we go to my office?"
Emily: "Yes. There is quite a bit we need to discuss."
They began walking toward the administrative corridor.
As they passed the reception counter, Sarah quietly met Emily's eyes.
Sarah Williams: "I'm sorry that happened."
Emily stopped briefly.
Emily: "You did the right thing by confirming the appointment and telling the truth."
Sarah nodded, visibly relieved.
Emily continued down the corridor with Captain Mitchell.
Behind them, the station gradually returned to its usual noise. Phones began ringing again, keyboards resumed clicking, and officers returned to their reports.
But something had changed.
Several employees had witnessed a federal agent being challenged, questioned, and physically touched after presenting valid identification. They had also witnessed a captain intervene and request an explanation.
The incident could no longer be dismissed as a private disagreement.
And Emily knew that the next part of the morning would be even more important.
Inside Captain Mitchell's office, she placed her leather folder on the table and removed several documents.
Captain Mitchell closed the door.
Captain Mitchell: "Before we begin, I want to understand exactly why your agency requested access to our records."
Emily opened the folder.
Emily: "The investigation concerns several pieces of evidence connected to a financial fraud case. Those records were originally submitted to your department for processing. According to our documentation, some of them were transferred into your evidence management system, but their current locations cannot be verified."
Mitchell frowned.
Captain Mitchell: "Which records?"
Emily slid a document across the desk.
Emily: "Three original witness statements, two digital storage devices, and a collection of financial records obtained under a valid search authorization."
Mitchell began reading.
His expression became increasingly serious.
Captain Mitchell: "I was not informed that these items were missing."
Emily: "That is one of the reasons I requested this meeting."
Mitchell looked up.
Captain Mitchell: "Who was responsible for receiving them?"
Emily turned to another page.
Emily: "The transfer documents list several employees. One of the names appears repeatedly."
She pointed to a line near the bottom.
Mitchell read it.
Then he looked at her again.
Captain Mitchell: "Are you saying someone inside this department removed federal evidence?"
Emily: "I am saying the records contain inconsistencies that must be investigated. I am not here to accuse anyone without proof."
Mitchell leaned back in his chair.
For several seconds, he said nothing.
The name on the document was familiar to him.