Only minutes earlier, he had been investigating a corrupt police officer.
Now, he was facing the possibility that the corruption extended far beyond the Chicago Police Department.
Captain Hayes stepped closer.
"Detective, what did they say?"
Daniel removed the earpiece.
"They want me to shut down the investigation."
Hayes frowned.
"Who?"
"My director."
Lawrence chuckled.
"I told you."
Daniel ignored him.
"Captain, I need you to listen carefully."
Hayes nodded.
"Go ahead."
"From this moment forward, nobody leaves with the evidence, nobody accesses the department's secure records, and nobody deletes anything."
Lawrence immediately interrupted.
"You cannot issue those instructions!"
Daniel turned toward him.
"Then you won't mind explaining why you're so concerned about them."
Lawrence's jaw tightened.
"You're interfering with an internal investigation."
Daniel stepped closer.
"No. I'm trying to prevent someone from destroying the evidence."
Mitchell finally spoke.
"Captain, I think we should call someone independent."
Lawrence turned sharply.
"Stay out of this, Mitchell."
But Mitchell didn't look away.
"With all due respect, sir, I've already made one mistake tonight."
Daniel studied him.
"What mistake?"
Mitchell looked toward the handcuffs still hanging from Daniel's wrists.
"I arrested the wrong man because I trusted information I never verified."
He looked at Lawrence.
"I'm not making that mistake twice."
For the first time, Daniel noticed something different about the officer.