A second officer stepped out.
Captain Robert Hayes, a senior officer in his fifties, moved quickly toward the two men. His expression changed the instant he saw the weapon in Mitchell's hand.
"MITCHELL!"
Mitchell turned.
"Captain, stay back. I've got this under control."
Hayes didn't slow down.
"I SAID LOWER YOUR WEAPON!"
Mitchell hesitated.
"Sir, this man—"
Hayes grabbed Mitchell's arm and forced the weapon downward.
"Are you out of your mind?"
"Captain, he's interfering with an investigation!"
Hayes looked at the handcuffed man.
Then he saw the detective badge.
His entire expression changed.
"Detective Cross?"
Daniel gave him a small nod.
"Captain."
Hayes released Mitchell's arm and immediately stepped between the two men.
"Get those handcuffs off him. Now."
Mitchell stared at him.
"Sir?"
"You heard me."
"But I was—"
"NOW!"
For the first time that night, Mitchell looked genuinely uncertain.
Hayes turned toward Daniel.
"Detective, are you hurt?"
"No. But we have a problem."
"What kind of problem?"
Daniel glanced at Mitchell.
"Your officer just threatened an undercover detective who was investigating a case involving this department."
The captain went completely still.
Mitchell's face lost its color.
"Undercover?"
Daniel slowly nodded.
"And that's not even the worst part."
He looked toward the approaching darkness beyond the patrol cars.
"Tell me, Captain. Did you receive the message about the missing evidence?"
Hayes didn't respond immediately.
Daniel continued.