"Deputy Commissioner Robert Vance."
And then—
"Sergeant Daniel Whitmore."
Nobody moved.
Jonathan turned slowly toward Whitmore.
"Why does a sergeant have authorization to access restricted command records?"
Whitmore's expression became defensive.
"I don't know."
"You're listed as an authorized user."
"I didn't request that."
"Who did?"
"I don't know, Chief."
Jonathan looked at Grace.
"Preserve the access permissions."
Grace nodded.
"Already doing it."
Jonathan returned his attention to the screen.
"Open the audit history."
Rebecca hesitated.
"Sir, the system says command authorization is required."
Jonathan stepped closer.
"Use my credentials."
Rebecca entered his identification number.
The system processed the request.
For a moment, nothing happened.
Then the screen changed.
A list of access records appeared.
The first entry was dated eleven months earlier.
The second was dated eight months earlier.
The third was dated six weeks earlier.
All three had been opened using Whitmore's account.
But there was something stranger.
Each access had occurred after midnight.
And each had been followed by the deletion of a related administrative record.
Grace leaned closer.
"Sergeant, what exactly were you accessing?"
Whitmore shook his head.
"I can't explain that."
Jonathan looked at the screen.
"Then perhaps the system can."
He pointed to the latest entry.
"What's the file description?"
Rebecca clicked.
A new window appeared.
For several seconds, the screen remained blank.
Then a line of text emerged.
SPECIAL PERSONNEL REVIEW — SUBJECT: JONATHAN M. HAYES.
The room fell silent.
Jonathan stared at the screen.
Grace looked at him.
"Chief?"
He didn't answer.
The file had been created three days earlier.
Its author was listed as:
DEPUTY COMMISSIONER ROBERT VANCE.
5. THE MAN WHO WANTED HIM ARRESTED
Jonathan slowly stepped away from the computer.
Robert Vance.
The deputy commissioner had worked with him for nine years.
He had personally recommended Jonathan for the position of Chief of Police.
He had stood beside him during the swearing-in ceremony.
He had publicly praised Jonathan's commitment to reforming the department.
And now, a restricted file bearing Vance's name had been created to investigate him.
Jonathan looked at Grace.
"Did you know about this?"
"No, sir."
"Has Internal Affairs received any complaint against me?"
"Not that I'm aware of."
Jonathan pointed at the screen.
"Then someone created a personnel investigation without informing my office."
Grace studied the record.
"Apparently."
Whitmore suddenly spoke.
"Chief, I think there's been a misunderstanding about the file."
Jonathan turned.
"Now you want to explain it?"
"I was instructed to access it."
"By whom?"
Whitmore looked toward the floor.
"I can't say."
"Why not?"
"Because I was told it was confidential."
Jonathan gave a humorless smile.
"You're a police sergeant. Confidentiality is not a license to participate in unauthorized investigations."
Whitmore's face hardened.
"With respect, Chief, you don't know everything that happens in this precinct."
Jonathan studied him.
"Perhaps that's the problem."
He took out his phone.
"Call Deputy Commissioner Vance."
Whitmore looked up sharply.
"Sir?"
"You heard me."
Grace interrupted.