He adjusted his jacket.
Then he looked at Whitaker.
“Raymond, you should have called me before you let this happen.”
Whitaker stared at him.
“You told me she would never come back.”
Grant's smile disappeared.
The words had escaped before Whitaker could stop himself.
Evelyn turned toward the chief.
“Who told you that?”
Whitaker looked down.
Grant's eyes narrowed.
“Raymond.”
The chief swallowed.
“You said she was finished.”
Grant stepped closer.
“Be quiet.”
Whitaker looked at Evelyn.
“He told me the federal office had closed the matter.”
Grant's voice became colder.
“Raymond, stop talking.”
“He said the files had been destroyed.”
“Shut your mouth.”
“He said Thomas Reed was dead.”
Grant slammed his hand against the table.
“ENOUGH!”
Evelyn didn't flinch.
Agent Mitchell entered from the corridor.
“Agent Brooks?”
“Secure the room.”
Mitchell nodded.
Grant looked at her.
“You're not going to detain me.”
Evelyn reached into her folder.
She removed a second document.
A separate federal order.
Grant's eyes dropped toward it.
“What is that?”
“A preservation and detention order.”
His smile vanished.
“On what grounds?”
“Interference with a federal investigation, witness intimidation, and evidence tampering.”
Grant stared at the document.
Then he looked at Agent Carter.
“Who authorized this?”
Evelyn answered.
“Judge Monroe.”
Grant shook his head.
“You can't be serious.”
“I am.”
He took a step backward.
“You have no idea what this will trigger.”
Evelyn looked at him.
“Then perhaps you should tell me.”
Grant's voice lowered.
“You think arresting me will bring down the people responsible?”
“No.”
“Then why do it?”
“Because someone has to begin.”
Agent Mitchell approached.
“Deputy Commissioner Grant, please place your hands behind your back.”
Grant looked at Evelyn.
Then at the officers.
Finally, he placed his hands behind him.
But just before Agent Mitchell secured his wrists, he spoke.
“Agent Brooks?”
She waited.
“Ask Daniel Carter where he was eleven years ago.”
Evelyn turned.
Carter's expression had changed.
Grant smiled.
“Ask him what happened the night Thomas Reed disappeared.”
Chapter 9 — The Question Nobody Wanted
Agent Carter stood perfectly still.
Evelyn watched him.
“Daniel?”
He swallowed.
“Agent Brooks, I can explain.”
“Then explain.”
Grant smiled as Agent Mitchell secured his wrists.
“You see? That's the problem with loyalty. Everyone thinks they know who they're standing beside.”
Carter stepped toward the table.
“Deputy Commissioner Grant is trying to manipulate you.”
Evelyn did not look away from him.
“Were you involved in the Thomas Reed operation?”
Carter hesitated.
“Yes.”
“Were you present at the warehouse?”
“No.”
“Did you know Reed?”
“Yes.”
“Did you know he was investigating the missing evidence?”
“Yes.”
“Did you know he had identified someone inside the department?”
Carter's eyes moved toward Grant.
“Yes.”
“Who?”
He looked down.
“I never learned the name.”
Evelyn waited.
Carter continued.
“Thomas was working undercover. He believed someone was moving seized evidence through private storage facilities. He had records connecting several officers to the operation.”
“Did he give you copies?”
“No.”
“Did he tell you where the records were?”
Carter hesitated.
“Yes.”
Evelyn leaned forward.
“Where?”
Carter looked toward the closed door.
“An old federal archive.”
“What happened to the archive?”
“It was transferred.”
“To where?”
“I don't know.”
“Who authorized the transfer?”
Carter looked at her.
“Your office.”
Evelyn became very still.
“My office?”
“The order carried your division's authorization.”
“I didn't authorize any transfer.”
Carter shook his head.
“I know.”
“How?”
“Because I was the one who processed the original request.”
Evelyn stared at him.
Carter continued.
“The signature was yours, but the authorization number was wrong. I flagged it.”
“Who told you to release the archive?”
“Thomas Reed.”
Evelyn blinked.
“What?”