It also requested that the officer responsible contact the state security operations center immediately.
Hayes glanced at the notification when dispatch relayed it to him.
For a moment, his expression changed.
Then he dismissed the request as an attempt by someone outside the department to interfere with his investigation.
RICHARD HAYES: "Tell them the individual is being processed. We'll contact them when we're ready."
The dispatcher hesitated before responding.
DISPATCHER: "Chief, the request has been authenticated through the state channel. They're asking for an immediate identity confirmation."
RICHARD HAYES: "I heard you. We'll handle it at the station."
He ended the transmission and continued driving.
In the rear seat, Vanessa watched the buildings pass through the window. Her hands were still cuffed, and the pressure around her wrists had become uncomfortable.
She did not waste time arguing with Hayes again. She had already explained who she was, offered her credentials, and asked him to verify her authorization.
Now she needed to make sure that the evidence of the encounter was preserved.
The patrol car's camera recorded the road ahead, while the microphone continued capturing the conversation inside the vehicle.
Hayes checked the rearview mirror.
RICHARD HAYES: "You could have saved yourself a lot of trouble by telling me the truth."
VANESSA BROOKS: "I told you the truth at the front door."
RICHARD HAYES: "You gave me a story about working for the state."
VANESSA BROOKS: "I gave you the name of the agency and offered to let you verify it."
RICHARD HAYES: "We'll see what the records say."
VANESSA BROOKS: "That is what I asked you to do before you arrested me."
Hayes tightened his grip on the steering wheel.
He disliked being challenged, particularly by someone he believed he had already placed in the proper category. Vanessa's refusal to become visibly frightened seemed to irritate him more than an angry response would have.
He returned his attention to the road.
At the station, Detective Laura Bennett was reviewing the day's incoming reports when a notification about the Willow Creek arrest appeared on her screen. She had worked in investigations for fourteen years and had developed a habit of checking the details that other people overlooked.
The report described a suspected trespasser detained while attempting to enter a luxury residence.
It mentioned a woman carrying keys and a folder.
It did not mention a damaged lock, forced entry, stolen property, or an identified victim.
Laura read the report a second time.
The absence of those details did not prove that the arrest was unjustified. It did, however, suggest that the circumstances required further verification.
She opened the dispatch record and noticed the authenticated inquiry from the state security operations center.
The request had been logged before the patrol car reached the station.
Laura leaned back in her chair and considered the information. Government agencies occasionally contacted the department about restricted facilities, but such requests were normally handled through established verification procedures.
She called the communications desk.
LAURA BENNETT: "Has anyone confirmed the identity of the woman arrested at Willow Creek?"
DISPATCHER: "Chief Hayes said the matter would be handled during booking."
LAURA BENNETT: "Did the state office provide an identification number?"
DISPATCHER: "Yes. They asked us to verify it through their operations center."
Laura looked again at the report.
LAURA BENNETT: "Then why hasn't anyone completed the verification?"
The dispatcher did not have an answer.
Laura printed the report and walked toward the booking area. She intended to speak with Hayes before the paperwork went any further.
By the time she reached the corridor, the sound of the patrol car entering the station's parking area came through the open doorway.
Hayes had arrived.
He stepped out, walked around the vehicle, and opened the rear door. Vanessa emerged carefully, still wearing the red blazer she had worn during the inspection.
Her black folder was not with her.
The cuffs remained fastened behind her back.
Hayes guided her through the station entrance, passing several officers who looked up from their desks. A few glanced at the handcuffs, while others noticed that she appeared calm and professionally dressed.
Laura approached them near the processing counter.
LAURA BENNETT: "Chief, I need a moment before you complete the booking."
RICHARD HAYES: "Not now, Detective."
LAURA BENNETT: "The state security office has requested an identity check."
RICHARD HAYES: "I know about the request."