The sudden movement caught the attention of everyone standing nearby.
Victoria's eyes widened briefly, not because she was afraid of him, but because the encounter had crossed a line that should never have been necessary in the first place.
OFFICER DEREK MILLER:
"You've been standing here demanding special treatment for twenty minutes. Maybe somebody needs to remind you that you don't control this building."
VICTORIA HAYES:
"I'm not demanding special treatment. I'm asking you to verify my appointment."
Derek held the badge up between his fingers.
He examined it with exaggerated skepticism, turning it slightly beneath the fluorescent lights.
OFFICER DEREK MILLER:
"This little piece of plastic doesn't give you the right to order me around."
VICTORIA HAYES:
"It doesn't give me that right. It identifies who I am. The appointment establishes why I'm here."
Derek shook his head.
OFFICER DEREK MILLER:
"You're still arguing."
VICTORIA HAYES:
"I'm still trying to resolve the same problem."
The answer seemed to irritate him more than any insult could have.
He stepped closer, crowding the space between them.
Victoria stood her ground, keeping her hands visible and her posture controlled.
OFFICER DEREK MILLER:
"You want to make this difficult? Fine. Let's see how much that badge matters now."
He turned toward the stainless-steel trash can beside the reception counter.
For a brief moment, Victoria thought he might simply place the badge on the counter and end the confrontation.
Instead, Derek opened his hand and dropped the FBI identification into the trash.
The small badge struck the metal interior with a sharp clink.
The sound carried across the lobby.
Several officers looked directly at the trash can.
Ethan rose halfway from his chair.
OFFICER ETHAN BROOKS:
"Officer Miller, you can't just throw away her identification."
Derek turned toward him.
OFFICER DEREK MILLER:
"Sit down, Brooks."
Ethan hesitated.
OFFICER ETHAN BROOKS:
"It's federal identification, sir."
OFFICER DEREK MILLER:
"I know exactly what it is."
Victoria looked at the badge inside the trash can.
For a moment, she said nothing.
She was angry, but she understood that reacting impulsively would not help her accomplish what she had come to do.
She looked back at Derek.
VICTORIA HAYES:
"Please retrieve my badge."
OFFICER DEREK MILLER:
"Get it yourself."
VICTORIA HAYES:
"You took it from me and discarded it. I'm asking you to return it."
OFFICER DEREK MILLER:
"And I'm telling you that you can leave."
Victoria glanced toward the reception counter.
Ethan was still watching the exchange, his expression troubled.
The senior officer had not yet arrived.
The supervising office had not yet contacted the lobby.
And the man standing in front of her appeared more interested in winning the confrontation than resolving the reason for it.
Victoria reached into her pocket and took out her phone.
Derek noticed.
OFFICER DEREK MILLER:
"Who are you calling now?"
VICTORIA HAYES:
"The person responsible for this appointment."
OFFICER DEREK MILLER:
"Go ahead. Call whoever you want."
Victoria found the number for Captain Richard Bennett, the senior officer designated to oversee the local department's participation in the joint investigation.
She pressed the call button and raised the phone to her ear.
As she waited for the connection, she kept her eyes on Derek.
He folded his arms and leaned against the edge of the reception counter, wearing a smug expression that suggested he believed the situation had already been decided in his favor.
He had no idea who was about to arrive.
The call connected.
CAPTAIN RICHARD BENNETT:
"Captain Bennett."
Victoria's voice remained calm, but the urgency was unmistakable.
VICTORIA HAYES:
"Captain, this is Special Agent Victoria Hayes. I'm at reception. I need you to come down here immediately."
CAPTAIN BENNETT:
"What's happened?"
Victoria glanced toward the trash can.
VICTORIA HAYES:
"My appointment was confirmed, but I've been prevented from meeting the designated supervisor. Officer Miller has taken my FBI badge and thrown it into the trash."
The captain fell silent for a brief moment.
CAPTAIN BENNETT:
"Stay where you are. I'm coming down now."
VICTORIA HAYES:
"Understood."
She ended the call.
Derek gave a dismissive smile.
OFFICER DEREK MILLER:
"Well? Is somebody important coming to rescue you?"
VICTORIA HAYES:
"The captain is on his way."
Derek laughed.
OFFICER DEREK MILLER:
"Then perhaps he'll explain how things work around here."
Victoria slipped her phone back into her pocket.
VICTORIA HAYES:
"I hope he will."
She turned slightly toward the hallway.
The lobby had become almost completely silent.
Ethan stood behind the counter, looking between Victoria and Derek. The detectives near the filing cabinet had stopped pretending to work. Even the officers at the far end of the room appeared aware that something serious had happened.
Derek noticed the silence, but he interpreted it as attention rather than concern.
He straightened his uniform and adjusted his belt.
He still believed that he could explain the incident away as a disagreement over procedure.