"Chief, I recommend that we preserve the current evidence before contacting anyone who may have been involved."
Jonathan considered that.
Then he nodded.
"You're right."
He put his phone away.
"Nobody contacts Vance yet."
Whitmore seemed relieved.
But Jonathan wasn't finished.
"Lieutenant Mitchell, I want a full audit of every account that accessed this file. Include the administrative accounts, external connections, and any remote login."
"Understood."
"And I want the system administrator interviewed."
Grace nodded.
"Yes, sir."
Jonathan looked toward Whitmore.
"Until this investigation is complete, you're relieved of your supervisory duties."
Whitmore's expression changed.
"You can't do that."
Jonathan raised an eyebrow.
"Excuse me?"
"I have seniority."
"Seniority doesn't give you immunity."
"Chief, I've served this department for twenty-two years."
"And I've just watched you abuse your authority in front of your own officers."
Whitmore stepped forward.
"You don't understand what you're getting into."
The words came out before he could stop himself.
Jonathan went completely still.
Grace looked at him.
Rebecca looked up from the computer.
Even Miller raised his head.
Jonathan took one slow step toward Whitmore.
"Explain."
Whitmore's face tightened.
"I mean the investigation. It's complicated."
"Then simplify it."
Whitmore shook his head.
"I can't."
Jonathan's voice dropped.
"Can't or won't?"
Whitmore stared at him.
Then he said something that made the entire lobby go quiet.
"Chief, you should ask yourself why someone wanted you arrested before you even entered this building."
6. THE CALL FROM THE DEPUTY COMMISSIONER
At 9:12 a.m., Jonathan's phone vibrated.
The name on the screen made Grace look up.
DEPUTY COMMISSIONER ROBERT VANCE.
Jonathan answered.
"Hayes."
A familiar voice came through.
"Jonathan. What the hell is going on?"
Jonathan looked toward Whitmore.
"Good morning, Robert."
"Don't play games. I've just received a call saying there's an incident at the 24th Precinct."
"There is."
"Someone tells me you were detained."
"That's correct."
A pause.
Then Vance laughed softly.
"Well, that sounds unfortunate."
Jonathan's eyes narrowed.
"Does it?"
"These things happen. I assume everything has been resolved."
"Not quite."
"What do you need?"
Jonathan looked at the computer.
"An explanation."
"About what?"
"Why Sergeant Whitmore has access to a restricted personnel file concerning me."
Silence.
Not a long silence.
Just long enough.
Jonathan noticed.
"Robert?"
"I'm sure there's an administrative explanation."
"Then I'd like to hear it."
"Let's not discuss this over the phone."
"Why?"
"Because this is sensitive departmental business."
Jonathan glanced toward Grace.
She was listening carefully.
"That's an interesting choice of words."
"Come to headquarters. We'll discuss it face-to-face."
Jonathan looked at the clock.
"I'll be there."
"Good. And Jonathan?"
"Yes?"
"Don't make this bigger than it needs to be."
The call ended.
Jonathan stared at the screen.
Grace approached.
"What did he say?"
"He wants me at headquarters."
"Are you going?"
"Yes."
Grace frowned.
"I don't like this."
"Neither do I."
She lowered her voice.
"Chief, if Vance authorized that file, he may already know we've accessed it."
Jonathan nodded.
"Which means we need to know what it contains before he has time to change anything."