By late afternoon, news outlets were reporting that General Marcus Reed was under investigation for allegedly using his position to interfere with a local police operation.
The headlines spread rapidly.
FEDERAL COMMANDER ACCUSED OF MISCONDUCT AFTER PARK INCIDENT.
QUESTIONS RAISED OVER GENERAL'S INVOLVEMENT IN POLICE CONFRONTATION.
OFFICIALS REVIEW CONTROVERSIAL ARREST SCENE.
Marcus watched the coverage from the command center.
A television reporter stood outside police headquarters.
"Sources within the department claim that General Reed may have improperly influenced an ongoing investigation. Officials have not confirmed the allegations, but questions are emerging about his conduct during yesterday's confrontation."
Marcus turned off the television.
Parker placed a document on the table.
"Commissioner Hale released a statement this morning."
"What did he say?"
"He expressed concern about the incident and called for an independent review of your actions."
Marcus gave a humorless smile.
"Of course he did."
Collins entered the room carrying a laptop.
"We have another problem."
Marcus looked up.
"What now?"
"Someone leaked the storage unit evidence. They're claiming the recordings were fabricated."
Parker frowned.
"Impossible. We have the original files."
"That doesn't matter to the public if they only hear one side."
Marcus walked toward the window.
The operation was becoming more complicated.
Hale was no longer simply trying to conceal his corruption. He was actively attacking the credibility of the person leading the investigation.
Worse, the letter found in Walker's storage unit suggested that someone had deliberately included Marcus's name in the conspiracy.
"Have you verified the handwriting?" Marcus asked.
Parker shook her head.
"Not yet."
"Then don't circulate the letter."
Collins opened the laptop.
"We found another detail in the financial records. A payment was made to a consulting company connected to someone who used to work in your previous command."
Marcus turned.
"Who?"
"Colonel Andrew Mitchell."
Marcus stared at him.
Mitchell had been one of his trusted colleagues several years earlier.
He had retired from active service and moved into private consulting.
"That's impossible," Marcus said quietly.
"We're still checking the records."
Marcus sat down.
For the first time since the park incident, he looked genuinely troubled.
If Mitchell was involved, then the conspiracy might have extended beyond the local police department.
He opened a secure communication channel.
"Contact Colonel Mitchell."
Parker hesitated.
"General, that might alert him."
"I know."
"Would you like us to approach him directly?"
"No. I want to speak to him myself."
Marcus made the call.
After several rings, a familiar voice answered.
"Marcus. It's been a long time."
"Andrew."
"What's going on?"
"I need to ask you about a financial transaction."
A pause followed.
"What transaction?"
"A payment connected to a company under investigation."
Mitchell laughed softly.
"You know how consulting works. I deal with dozens of companies."
"One of them is linked to Commissioner Hale."
The laughter stopped.
"Marcus, you need to be careful."
"Why?"
"Because you don't know who you're dealing with."
Marcus leaned back.
"I know exactly who I'm dealing with."
Mitchell lowered his voice.
"Then you should understand that some people won't let this investigation continue."
Marcus stared at the phone.
"Are you threatening me?"
"No. I'm trying to protect you."
"From whom?"
Mitchell did not answer.
Then he said something that made Marcus's stomach tighten.
"Check the original authorization for Operation Clean Badge."
The call disconnected.
Marcus slowly lowered the phone.
Parker looked at him.
"What did he say?"
Marcus stared at the documents on the table.
"He told me to check the original authorization."
Collins frowned.
"Why?"
Marcus opened the secure archive.
He searched for the operation's founding documents.
The first page contained the approval signatures.
The second listed the investigators.
The third contained the name of the official who had authorized the operation.
Marcus stopped scrolling.
The signature belonged to Andrew Mitchell.
Marcus spent the next several hours examining the original authorization records.
The deeper he looked, the more disturbing the picture became.
Colonel Andrew Mitchell had approved the initial operational structure, selected several investigative personnel, and authorized the transfer of sensitive information to outside agencies.
At first, the decisions appeared routine.
But several access logs showed that Mitchell had opened confidential files after officially retiring.
He had also accessed documents containing Marcus's undercover identity.
Parker stood beside the desk.
"General, we need to consider the possibility that Mitchell has been feeding information to Hale."