“She says she has a federal arrest warrant.”
The man said nothing for several seconds.
Then:
“Do not let her leave with anything.”
Whitaker looked toward the corridor.
“What do you want me to do?”
“Keep her in the room.”
“She requested to speak with me.”
“Then speak with her.”
“And if she presents the warrant?”
The voice became colder.
“Don't sign anything. Don't acknowledge anything. And whatever you do, don't let her question the officers named in the file.”
Whitaker swallowed.
“Understood.”
The call ended.
He remained still for a moment.
Then he opened a drawer and removed a small key.
It belonged to a locked cabinet at the far end of his office.
Inside was a thin black folder.
He opened it.
The first page carried a photograph.
A photograph of Evelyn Brooks.
Underneath it was a date.
And beneath the date was a handwritten warning:
IF BROOKS RETURNS, THE OPERATION IS COMPROMISED.
Whitaker closed the folder.
He had believed the woman was gone for good.
He had been wrong.
Chapter 3 — The Document on the Table
Back in Interview Room Two, Detective Maddox had stopped shouting.
That did not mean he had calmed down.
He was now pacing between the table and the door, checking his phone every few seconds.
Evelyn remained seated.
Her black folder was still closed.
Maddox finally turned toward her.
“Who sent you?”
“The Department of Justice.”
“Which division?”
“Public Corruption Task Force.”
“Name of your supervisor?”
“You can verify my credentials through the federal field office.”
“I asked for a name.”
“And I explained how you can verify it.”
He laughed.
“You federal people think you can walk in here and refuse to answer questions.”
Evelyn looked at him.
“I'm not the one being investigated.”
Maddox stopped pacing.
“What does that mean?”
“It means you should be very careful about the questions you ask.”
He stepped toward the table.
“You're threatening me?”
“No.”
“You think I don't know how this works?”
“I think you know exactly how it works.”
Maddox opened his mouth.
Before he could respond, the door swung open.
Chief Whitaker entered.
He was followed by Ethan Cole, who remained near the doorway.
Maddox immediately straightened.
“Chief.”
Whitaker ignored him.
His eyes went directly to Evelyn.
“Agent Brooks.”
Evelyn nodded.
“Chief Whitaker.”
The chief pulled out the chair opposite her.
He did not sit immediately.
“I understand there's been a misunderstanding.”
“There hasn't.”
“Detective Maddox tells me you arrived without an appointment.”
“I sent three formal notices.”
Whitaker glanced at Maddox.
“Did you receive them?”
Maddox shook his head.
“No, sir.”
Evelyn opened her folder.
“I have the delivery confirmations.”
Whitaker finally sat down.
“Let's not make this more difficult than it needs to be.”
Evelyn looked at him.
“Then let's not.”
The chief folded his hands.
“What exactly are you seeking?”
“Access to the original records relating to the investigation into the disappearance of evidence from Case File 19-447.”
Whitaker frowned.
“That case was closed.”
“That's incorrect.”
“The department completed its internal review.”
“Your internal review was the subject of a federal referral.”
“By whom?”
Evelyn looked at him.
“You know.”
Whitaker's expression became colder.
“I don't appreciate being spoken to like that.”
“Then answer my question.”
Maddox moved toward her.
“Watch your tone.”
Whitaker raised a hand.
“Richard.”
Maddox stopped.
The chief looked back at Evelyn.
“Agent Brooks, we have no reason to believe there is an active federal matter involving this department.”
Evelyn reached into her folder.
“That's interesting.”
She removed a document.
Then another.
And another.
She arranged them neatly on the table.
Whitaker glanced down.
His expression changed.
The first document was a federal authorization letter.
The second was a sealed investigative order.