He arrived in uniform, attempting to maintain a confident expression.
Daniel sat across from him.
“Officer Miller, I'm going to give you an opportunity to explain what happened at the terminal.”
Miller nodded.
“I made a judgment call, sir.”
“You detained a person without articulating a lawful basis.”
“I believed he was suspicious.”
“Because he asked about public records?”
Miller said nothing.
Daniel opened another folder.
“Have you ever been instructed to remove people from the terminal because they were asking questions about police activity?”
“No.”
“Have you ever been told to confiscate recordings of officers?”
“No, sir.”
Daniel placed three signed statements on the table.
“Then why do three witnesses say otherwise?”
Miller's confidence began to fade.
“I can't speak for what other people claim.”
Daniel leaned forward.
“I'm not asking you to speak for them. I'm asking you to tell the truth about yourself.”
Miller stared at the documents.
Finally, he whispered:
“Lieutenant Cole told us certain complaints were creating problems for the department.”
Daniel remained silent.
“He said we should handle those people before they became a bigger issue.”
“Handle them how?”
Miller looked up.
“Make them leave.”
Daniel closed the folder.
“Who gave Cole that instruction?”
Miller shook his head.
“I don't know.”
But Daniel could tell he was withholding something.
CHAPTER 8 — THE LIEUTENANT'S OFFICE
Lieutenant Raymond Cole was waiting when Daniel arrived at headquarters.
He was in his late fifties, with silver hair and an immaculate uniform.
“Deputy Director. I understand you've been asking questions about my unit.”
“I have.”
“I'm concerned that your investigation is damaging morale.”
Daniel placed a document on his desk.
“Twenty-one complaints were closed without proper investigation.”
Cole glanced at it.
“Administrative errors.”
“Three witnesses say their statements were altered.”
“Misunderstandings.”
“An officer says you ordered him to remove people who asked questions about police misconduct.”
Cole's expression hardened.
“Are you accusing me of criminal behavior?”
“I'm asking you to explain your records.”
Cole stood.
“With all due respect, this department has procedures. You can't walk in here and start questioning every decision we've made.”
Daniel remained seated.
“Actually, Lieutenant, that's exactly what my office is authorized to do.”
Cole leaned over the desk.
“You may have a fancy title, but you don't understand how things work here.”
Daniel slowly gathered his papers.
“Then I suggest you prepare to explain how they work.”
As he reached the door, Cole spoke again.
“You should be careful who you trust.”
Daniel stopped.
“Is that a warning?”
Cole smiled.
“It's advice.”
Daniel turned back.
“No, Lieutenant. It's evidence.”
CHAPTER 9 — THE OFFICER WHO RECORDED EVERYTHING
That evening, Kevin Shaw contacted the oversight office.
He requested a confidential meeting.
When Daniel arrived, Shaw placed his phone on the table.
“I recorded a conversation with Lieutenant Cole.”
Daniel looked at him.
“When?”
“Last week.”
Shaw played the recording.
Cole's voice came through clearly.
“Those complaint forms never reach the review board. You understand?”
Another voice responded.
“What if someone requests the originals?”
Cole answered:
“Then there won't be any originals to request.”
Daniel looked at Shaw.
“Who was he speaking to?”
“I don't know. But I recognize the second voice.”
“Whose?”
Shaw hesitated.
“Deputy Commissioner Frank Dalton.”
Daniel leaned back.
Dalton was the second-highest-ranking official in the entire transit police department.
If Shaw was right, the problem went far beyond one lieutenant.
Daniel took the phone.
“Have you given this recording to anyone else?”
“No.”
“Good. Keep it that way.”
Shaw looked frightened.
“Sir, they're going to know I came here.”
Daniel nodded.
“Then we're going to make sure they can't reach you.”
CHAPTER 10 — THE DEPUTY COMMISSIONER'S VISIT
The following morning, Frank Dalton arrived at Daniel's office without an appointment.
He was a tall man in his early sixties, with a commanding voice and a reputation for being politically connected.
“Deputy Director Hayes.”
“Commissioner Dalton.”
Dalton closed the door.
“I understand you've been interviewing my officers.”
“That's correct.”
“You're creating unnecessary tension.”