Ethan's investigators were still tracing the money.
However, one detail immediately caught his attention.
Nolan Pierce had received repeated payments from a company linked to Victor Langley.
The payments were listed as consulting fees.
Yet Nolan had never disclosed any outside employment.
When Ethan saw the records, he called the financial investigator.
"Are these payments verified?"
"Yes, Chief."
"Do we know what services were provided?"
"Not yet."
"Who authorized the contracts?"
"Captain Harris signed the initial recommendations."
Ethan leaned back.
"Keep digging."
"Yes, sir."
"And make sure every record is preserved."
The investigator hesitated.
"Chief, there's one more thing."
"What?"
"We found a message exchange between Nolan Pierce and Victor Langley."
Ethan looked up.
"What's in it?"
"Several conversations about stopping certain vehicles near commercial properties."
"Why?"
"We're not certain."
"Send everything to the independent investigators."
"Understood."
Ethan ended the call.
He looked through the glass wall toward the main office.
Nolan was no longer working regular patrol duties.
But he still had access to several internal systems.
That would need to change.
On Monday morning, Ethan called an emergency leadership meeting.
Captain Harris arrived first.
Deputy Chief Brooks followed.
Nolan was not invited.
Neither were the officers directly involved in the investigation.
Ethan stood at the front of the room.
"I want to discuss the Westbridge contracts."
Harris's expression remained neutral.
"Certainly, Chief."
Ethan displayed the company information.
"Captain Harris, you recommended this contractor for several security assignments."
"Yes."
"Why?"
"They offered competitive rates and had experience working with law enforcement."
"Did you disclose your personal relationship with the owner?"
Harris frowned.
"What personal relationship?"
"Your correspondence with Victor Langley."
Harris's expression changed.
"We have known each other professionally for years."
"Did you disclose that relationship when approving the contracts?"
"I don't believe that was necessary."
Ethan turned toward Deputy Chief Brooks.
"What about you?"
Brooks folded his hands.
"I don't recall any direct involvement."
Ethan displayed another document.
"Your signature appears on three authorization forms."
Brooks looked down.
"I would need to review those."
Ethan nodded.
"That seems to be a common answer."
Harris shifted.
"Chief, I think we should be careful about drawing conclusions from paperwork."
"Agreed."
Ethan changed the slide.
"That's why we're conducting a financial investigation."
Harris's voice became sharper.
"Are you accusing us of corruption?"
"I'm asking questions."
"Questions that could damage reputations."
"Then I suggest the answers be accurate."
Harris stared at him.
Ethan continued.
"Until the review is complete, all officers with direct involvement in the contracts will be restricted from accessing related records."
Harris stood.
"That includes me?"
"Yes."
"You cannot simply remove a captain from operational responsibilities without cause."
Ethan looked at him.
"I can impose temporary administrative restrictions when there are credible concerns requiring independent review."
Harris's face reddened.
"This is becoming personal."
"No, Captain. It became personal when you allowed an officer to believe that he could use his badge to intimidate civilians and then protect him from accountability."
Harris slammed his palm against the table.
"Watch your accusations."
The room fell silent.
Ethan did not move.
"Captain Harris, sit down."
Harris remained standing.
For a moment, neither man spoke.
Then Harris slowly lowered himself into his chair.
Ethan closed the presentation.
"This meeting is over. You will receive written instructions from the review office."
As the officers stood, Harris leaned toward Brooks and whispered something.
Ethan saw it.
He also noticed that Brooks looked frightened.
That afternoon, both men received formal notices.
Harris was placed on administrative leave pending review.
Brooks was temporarily removed from his oversight responsibilities.
The department had entered a new phase.
And Nolan Pierce knew that he was running out of time.
That evening, Nolan drove to a restaurant on the outskirts of the city.
He had received a message from Victor Langley.
The restaurant was nearly empty.
Victor sat in a private booth near the back.
He was in his late forties, with dark hair, an expensive watch, and the relaxed manner of someone accustomed to getting what he wanted.
Nolan slid into the seat opposite him.
"We have a serious problem."
Victor did not look up from his menu.
"I heard."
"Cole is investigating everything."
"Then stop talking about it."
"He's already found the payments."
Victor closed the menu.
"How much does he know?"
"Enough to suspend Harris."
Victor sighed.
"That's unfortunate."
"Unfortunate? He's going through the body-camera files. He has the original footage from Jordan Ellis."
Victor's expression hardened.
"That case was closed."
"Not anymore."
"Who gave him the footage?"
"I don't know."
Victor looked around the restaurant.
Then he lowered his voice.
"Listen carefully. You need to stop panicking."
Nolan leaned forward.
"I'm not panicking."
"You're sitting here shaking."