He pushed a glass of water across the desk.
"One more thing. I want you to understand that this investigation may not be welcomed by everyone."
Marcus looked at him.
"That doesn't concern me."
"It should."
Harris spoke more quietly.
"Some of the people involved have been here longer than either of us would like to admit. They have friends in the department, connections in the union, and relationships with people outside this building."
Marcus remained still.
"Are you asking me to be careful?"
"I'm asking you to be smart."
Marcus nodded.
"There's a difference between being careful and looking the other way."
Harris smiled faintly.
"I was hoping you'd say that."
The lieutenant stood and walked toward a filing cabinet.
He removed a small envelope.
"Your access credentials are inside. The chief's office will activate the remaining permissions after your briefing."
Marcus accepted it.
"Thank you, sir."
Harris returned to his desk.
"Your formal introduction will happen tomorrow. For today, I suggest you familiarize yourself with the building."
"Understood."
"And Marcus?"
"Yes?"
"Don't let Nolan get under your skin."
Marcus picked up his duffel bag.
"Lieutenant, I didn't come here because of Officer Nolan."
Harris laughed quietly.
"I know. But I'm beginning to think he's going to become part of your first day whether you want him to or not."
Marcus gave a polite smile.
"We'll see."
He left the office.
Downstairs, Nolan was telling another officer about the new transfer.
"Trust me, he's going to be asking where the coffee machine is by lunchtime."
His colleague, Officer Jessica Miller, raised an eyebrow.
"Maybe give him a chance."
"Why?"
"Because you don't know anything about him."
Nolan shrugged.
"I know enough."
"Really? What do you know?"
"He's new. He's quiet. He carries a bag around like he's checking into a hotel."
Jessica sighed.
"You're impossible."
Nolan grinned.
"Just realistic."
At that moment, Marcus appeared at the bottom of the stairs.
He walked toward an empty desk near the back of the room.
Nolan noticed him immediately.
"Hey, Bennett!"
Marcus looked up.
"Yes?"
"That desk is reserved."
Marcus glanced at the empty workstation.
"Is there a name on it?"
Nolan laughed.
"Do you need everything explained to you?"
Marcus placed his bag beside the desk.
"I was instructed to familiarize myself with the building."
"Then familiarize yourself somewhere else."
Jessica stood.
"Nolan, there's no reason to—"
"Stay out of it, Miller."
Marcus calmly unzipped his bag.
He removed a notebook, a pen, and a sealed folder.
Then he reached inside again.
Nolan noticed something different about the way he handled the remaining item.
It wasn't the casual movement of someone searching for a phone or a wallet.
Marcus carefully lifted a black leather binder from the bag.
The cover was thick and polished, with a golden police shield embossed in the center.
Beneath the shield were four words:
OFFICE OF THE CHIEF
Nolan frowned.
"What is that supposed to be?"
Marcus placed the binder on the desk.
"Documentation."
Nolan took a step closer.
"Documentation for what?"
Marcus looked at him.
"That's an interesting question."
Nolan folded his arms.
"You're new here, so here's some advice. Keep your head down and don't get in people's way."
Marcus's expression changed slightly.
A faint smile appeared at the corner of his mouth.
"That's interesting advice."
Nolan's eyes narrowed.
"What, you don't like it?"
"I didn't say that."
"Then what exactly are you trying to say?"
Marcus turned the binder toward him.
"I'm saying you should be careful about assuming you know someone's position."
Nolan laughed.
"Your position? You're the new guy."
Marcus opened the binder.
The first page contained an official document bearing the seal of the police department.
The second page contained a photograph, identification details, and an authorization number.
The third page displayed a large silver badge.
And beneath it was a title that made Jessica Miller stop breathing for a moment.
CHIEF'S SPECIAL OVERSIGHT COMMAND
DEPUTY CHIEF MARCUS BENNETT
Nolan's smile disappeared.
He stared at the page.
Then at Marcus.
Then back at the page.
For several seconds, he seemed unable to understand what he was seeing.
"What's that?"
Marcus looked directly into his eyes.
"Deputy Chief Marcus Bennett. Office of the Chief."
The room went quiet.
Not the ordinary quiet of people concentrating on paperwork.
This was something else.
A printer continued running in the records corner, but nobody moved to collect its pages.
An officer holding a coffee cup stopped halfway through a sip.
Jessica slowly lowered herself back into her chair.
Nolan stared at the gold lettering.
"That's..."
He swallowed.
"That's not possible."
Marcus didn't raise his voice.
"Is there something about the document you find inaccurate?"
Nolan shook his head.
"No. I mean..."
He looked around as if expecting someone to tell him it was a joke.
"Nobody told us."
Marcus closed the binder halfway.