MAYA CARTER:
"My time isn't more important. The information I'm carrying may be time-sensitive. I need to deliver it through the correct channel."
RYAN COLE:
"Then tell me what the information is."
Maya paused.
She could have explained the broad circumstances, but the documents in her possession contained details that were not meant to be discussed in an open lobby. The investigation involved several jurisdictions, and she had been explicitly instructed to brief the designated supervisor rather than circulate details among personnel who had not been assigned to the matter.
MAYA CARTER:
"I'm not authorized to discuss the contents here. I can confirm the request with the appropriate supervisor."
RYAN COLE:
"Convenient."
MAYA CARTER:
"Officer Cole, I have answered every question I can answer in this setting. If there's a concern about my identity or authority, please identify the specific concern and let us address it."
Ryan stared at her.
For a moment, the lobby became quieter. The detectives stopped pretending not to listen. Daniel's hands hovered above his keyboard.
Maya's voice had not risen. She had not insulted Ryan, threatened him, or demanded that anyone take her side. She had simply asked him to explain the basis for his refusal.
That was the one question he did not want to answer.
Ryan turned toward the reception counter.
RYAN COLE:
"Hayes, get the visitor log."
Daniel looked up.
DANIEL HAYES:
"Yes, sir."
He opened a drawer, removed the logbook, and placed it on the counter. Ryan pulled it toward himself and flipped through several pages.
RYAN COLE:
"Your name isn't here."
MAYA CARTER:
"I checked in with the front desk when I arrived. The officer who received me said the supervising officer would be notified."
Daniel glanced at the logbook. He remembered Maya's arrival. He had been the person who greeted her, checked the appointment confirmation, and entered her information into the visitor system.
He also remembered that the computer had briefly frozen while he was completing the entry.
DANIEL HAYES:
"Officer Cole, I remember checking her in. The system was delayed, but I submitted the entry."
Ryan looked at him sharply.
RYAN COLE:
"Are you certain?"
DANIEL HAYES:
"Yes, sir. I can check the electronic record."
RYAN COLE:
"Then check it."
Daniel turned back to his computer. He entered the relevant information and waited while the system processed the request.
Maya stood quietly beside the counter, holding her identification wallet in one hand and the sealed document envelope in the other.
Ryan watched Daniel's screen from several feet away, his impatience growing with every passing second.
Finally, the visitor record appeared.
Daniel read the entry, then looked toward Ryan.
DANIEL HAYES:
"Her appointment is recorded. The system shows that the notification was sent to the administrative office."
For the first time since Maya had entered the precinct, Ryan had no immediate response.
His original objection had been that she had arrived without proper authorization. The record on Daniel's screen contradicted that claim.
He could have acknowledged the mistake and moved on.
He could have contacted the supervisor and allowed the matter to proceed.
Instead, he closed the logbook and placed it on the counter with unnecessary force.
RYAN COLE:
"Fine. That still doesn't mean you can walk wherever you want."
MAYA CARTER:
"I haven't attempted to do that. I've been waiting for authorization to proceed."
RYAN COLE:
"Then keep waiting."
Maya looked at him for a long moment.
She was beginning to understand that the disagreement was no longer about the visitor log, the appointment, or even the contents of the envelope. Each time one of Ryan's objections was answered, he introduced another reason to prevent the meeting from taking place.
She had seen the same pattern in other settings: a routine question became a challenge to authority, and a reasonable request became an excuse for confrontation.
She took a slow breath and adjusted her grip on the envelope.
MAYA CARTER:
"I would prefer to resolve this without further disruption. Please contact the watch commander."
RYAN COLE:
"And if I don't?"
MAYA CARTER:
"Then I'll document the refusal and contact the appropriate office through another authorized channel."
Ryan's eyes narrowed.
RYAN COLE:
"Are you threatening me with a complaint?"
MAYA CARTER:
"No. I'm explaining what I'll do if we cannot complete the required process."
The distinction was simple, but it did not calm him.
Ryan moved closer to the reception counter and lowered his voice, although several people nearby could still hear him.
RYAN COLE: