Silence.
Mitchell looked horrified.
Hayes stared at the deputy chief.
Lawrence's face turned pale.
Daniel stopped the recording.
"Would you like to hear the rest?"
Lawrence took a step backward.
"You don't understand what you're involved in."
Daniel looked directly at him.
"Then explain it to me."
Lawrence glanced toward the black SUV.
For a brief moment, his composure returned.
He smiled faintly.
"You think I'm the one giving orders?"
Daniel's expression changed.
"What does that mean?"
Lawrence looked toward the darkness beyond the parking lot.
Then he spoke quietly.
"Ask your director who authorized this operation."
Daniel froze.
Before he could respond, his earpiece crackled.
"Cross, emergency update."
Daniel touched it.
"What is it?"
"Your director just issued an immediate order."
Daniel's eyes narrowed.
"What order?"
The voice on the other end hesitated.
Then delivered the message.
"You're to suspend the investigation immediately. Surrender your credentials and return to headquarters."
Daniel stared at Lawrence.
The deputy chief smiled.
"Now you understand."
Daniel slowly lowered his hand.
For the first time that night, he looked genuinely concerned.
Not because he was afraid of Lawrence.
But because someone above him had just intervened.
And that someone knew exactly what Daniel had discovered.
Chapter 3 — The Order That Changed Everything
Daniel didn't move.
The flashing lights continued to illuminate the parking lot, but the atmosphere had changed completely.