Marcus Bell tried to laugh.
It was the kind of laugh people used when they wanted everyone around them to believe they were still in control.
"That's funny," he said. "You think making a phone call is going to scare me?"
Samuel said nothing.
Bell pointed toward the exit.
"Take your wallet and leave before I change my mind."
Samuel looked at him.
"You haven't returned my wallet."
Bell turned toward Daniel Price.
"Give him his stuff."
Daniel hesitated.
"Sir, I thought we were supposed to—"
"Did I ask you to think?"
The younger officer immediately stood.
"Yes, Sergeant."
He disappeared into the records room.
Samuel watched him go.
"How long have you been working with Officer Bell?"
Bell frowned.
"Why?"
"Just asking."
"That's none of your business."
Samuel nodded.
"That's an interesting answer."
Bell stepped closer again.
"You need to understand something. Whatever little complaint you're planning to make, nobody here is going to take your word over mine."
Samuel looked at the badge on Bell's chest.
"Is that what you believe?"
"That's how things work."
"Not everywhere."
Bell opened his mouth to respond, but a familiar voice interrupted them.
"Marcus?"
Captain Evelyn Brooks had entered the reception area.
She was fifty-three, with short natural hair and a serious expression. She had commanded the patrol division for six years and was widely respected by the officers who actually worked under her.
Bell immediately straightened.
"Captain. Everything's under control."
Evelyn glanced at Samuel.
"Who is this?"
"Suspect from a possible robbery investigation. We brought him in for questioning."
Samuel spoke before Bell could continue.
"I wasn't arrested for questioning. I was stopped, searched, and brought here without a warrant or probable cause."
Bell turned sharply.
"Captain, he's being difficult."
Evelyn looked at the elderly man again.
"May I see your identification?"
Samuel reached into his coat and handed her a black leather identification case.
She opened it.
Her face changed.
For several seconds, she simply stared.
Inside was a government-issued law enforcement credential.
The photograph showed the same elderly man standing in front of her.
The name beneath it read:
SAMUEL E. WHITAKER
Below the name was an additional designation.
SENIOR DETECTIVE — SPECIAL INVESTIGATIONS DIVISION
Evelyn looked up.
"Detective Whitaker?"
Samuel nodded.
"Good evening, Captain."
Bell's mouth opened slightly.
"What?"
Evelyn slowly closed the identification case.
"Marcus, why is Detective Whitaker being held here?"
Bell looked between them.
"I didn't know he was a detective."
Samuel raised an eyebrow.
"Would that have made a difference?"
Bell did not answer.
Evelyn's expression hardened.
"Did you run his identification?"
"Yes."
"Then why didn't you recognize the credentials?"
Bell looked toward Daniel, who had just returned with the wallet.
"Maybe the system was down."
Samuel calmly accepted his belongings.
"The system wasn't down. I watched you access it."
Evelyn turned toward Bell.
"Did you search his vehicle?"
"Yes."
"Did you have consent?"
Bell hesitated.
"We had reasonable suspicion."
"Based on what?"
"He matched a description."
"What description?"
Bell's eyes moved toward the entrance.
"I'd have to check the report."
Evelyn folded her arms.
"Then you should check it."
Samuel put his wallet away.
"Captain, I'd appreciate it if you preserved the footage from the front entrance, the holding area, and the body cameras worn by every officer involved."
Evelyn nodded.
"Of course."
Bell suddenly became defensive.
"Captain, with all due respect, this is getting ridiculous. He's making it sound like we committed some kind of crime."
Samuel turned toward him.
"I haven't accused you of a crime."
"Then what do you want?"
"An accurate record."
The words were simple, but they seemed to irritate Bell more than any direct accusation could have.
Evelyn gestured toward the conference room.
"Detective, would you like to speak privately?"
"Not yet."
Samuel looked at Bell.
"I'd like to know who approved the search."
Bell swallowed.
"I made the decision."
"Then who entered the authorization?"
"I don't remember."
Samuel nodded slowly.
"That's unfortunate."
Evelyn looked at Bell.
"Marcus, return to your office. Don't access any case files until further notice."
Bell stared at her.
"You're suspending me?"
"I'm instructing you not to interfere with an active inquiry."
"An inquiry? Based on what?"
Evelyn's voice became colder.
"Based on the fact that a senior detective was detained in this building, his identification was ignored, and his property was withheld for three hours."
Bell looked at Samuel.
The elderly detective did not smile.
He did not celebrate.
He simply stood there, holding his wallet.
That was somehow worse.
Bell walked away.
As he disappeared into the hallway, Evelyn lowered her voice.
"Samuel, what is this really about?"
Samuel looked toward the security cameras above the reception desk.
"Captain, do you remember the complaints from the East District?"
Evelyn nodded.
"The unauthorized searches?"
"And the missing cash."
Her face tightened.
"Yes."
Samuel leaned closer.
"Someone is using this department to steal from residents. And I believe Officer Bell is connected to it."
Evelyn stared at him.
"Do you have evidence?"
Samuel reached into his coat again.
This time, he removed a small folded document.
"I have enough to know where to start."
And as Evelyn opened the document, she realized that the incident at the counter was only the beginning.