He still believed that his authority would protect him from the consequences of his decisions.
Then footsteps sounded from the administrative corridor.
The rhythm was measured and unmistakable.
Derek turned toward the hallway.
Captain Richard Bennett appeared at the far end, wearing his formal navy command uniform with gold stripes along the sleeves. His silver-gray hair was neatly combed, and his expression was serious.
He walked directly toward the reception counter.
Victoria remained still.
Derek's smile began to fade.
The captain stopped beside them and looked first at Victoria, then at Derek.
Finally, his eyes settled on the stainless-steel trash can.
He could see the FBI badge inside.
CAPTAIN RICHARD BENNETT:
"Officer Miller."
Derek straightened immediately.
OFFICER DEREK MILLER:
"Captain."
CAPTAIN BENNETT:
"Tell me why a federal agent's identification is in my trash can."
For the first time that morning, Derek had no immediate answer.
Victoria stood quietly beside the captain, her expression composed and her phone resting in her hand.
The captain looked at the badge once more, then returned his attention to the officer.
CAPTAIN BENNETT:
"I am waiting for an explanation."
Derek opened his mouth.
But whatever answer he had prepared for the argument with Victoria no longer seemed sufficient.
The entire lobby was watching.
And the person asking the questions now was the one man Derek could not dismiss by telling him to wait.
The silence in the Westbridge Police Precinct lobby had become almost unbearable.
Captain Richard Bennett stood beside the reception counter, his attention fixed on the silver trash can where Victoria Hayes's FBI identification badge lay among crumpled paper towels and discarded coffee cups. He did not raise his voice. He did not need to. The controlled expression on his face made the officers nearby more uncomfortable than an outburst would have.
Derek Miller shifted his weight from one foot to the other. Only moments earlier, he had been standing with the confidence of a man who believed he controlled every inch of the room. Now, with the captain watching him, that confidence seemed to be draining away.
Victoria remained near the counter. Her charcoal-gray blazer was slightly creased from the struggle, but she held herself upright. She did not reach for her badge, and she did not interrupt the captain. She simply waited.
CAPTAIN RICHARD BENNETT: "Officer Miller, I asked you a question. Why is a federal agent's identification in your trash can?"
Derek glanced toward Ethan Brooks, the younger officer behind the reception desk. Ethan immediately looked down at the paperwork in front of him.
OFFICER DEREK MILLER: "Captain, there has been a misunderstanding."
CAPTAIN RICHARD BENNETT: "A misunderstanding?"
OFFICER DEREK MILLER: "She came in here claiming to be an FBI agent. I was trying to establish who she was before allowing her access to the building."
Victoria's expression remained composed, but her eyes moved briefly toward the badge in the bin.
VICTORIA HAYES: "You had several opportunities to verify my credentials. You chose not to."
Derek turned toward her, irritation briefly replacing his uncertainty.
OFFICER DEREK MILLER: "I wasn't speaking to you."
CAPTAIN RICHARD BENNETT: "You will speak when I ask you to speak, Miller. And you will answer the questions I ask."
The captain's words landed with a finality that made the officers standing near the hallway stop pretending they were occupied. A desk phone rang in the background. No one at reception reached for it until the sound stopped.
Captain Bennett looked at Victoria.
CAPTAIN RICHARD BENNETT: "Agent Hayes, are you injured?"
VICTORIA HAYES: "I'm able to continue, Captain."
CAPTAIN RICHARD BENNETT: "That wasn't quite what I asked."
VICTORIA HAYES: "I'm shaken by what happened, but I don't need medical assistance at the moment."
He nodded once, acknowledging her answer. Then he turned back to Derek.
CAPTAIN RICHARD BENNETT: "Did you physically handle Agent Hayes?"
Derek hesitated.
OFFICER DEREK MILLER: "I moved her away from the counter."
VICTORIA HAYES: "That is not an accurate description of what happened."
OFFICER DEREK MILLER: "You were refusing to cooperate."
VICTORIA HAYES: "I presented my credentials and asked you to contact your supervisor. I did not threaten you, obstruct you, or attempt to enter a restricted area."
OFFICER DEREK MILLER: "You were acting like you could walk in here and order everyone around."
VICTORIA HAYES: "I asked for a supervisor. You decided that was an insult."
The captain watched the exchange without interrupting. The distinction between the two accounts was already clear: Victoria was describing specific actions, while Derek was explaining how he had interpreted her presence.
CAPTAIN RICHARD BENNETT: "Ethan."
Officer Ethan Brooks straightened so quickly that his chair rolled backward a few inches.
OFFICER ETHAN BROOKS: "Yes, Captain?"
CAPTAIN RICHARD BENNETT: "You were at this desk when Agent Hayes arrived?"
OFFICER ETHAN BROOKS: "Yes, sir."
CAPTAIN RICHARD BENNETT: "Tell me what you saw."