The third was a copy of a bank transfer record.
The fourth was a list of names.
Whitaker recognized several of them.
He recognized his own.
Evelyn placed one final document on top.
A federal arrest warrant.
She pushed it across the table.
It stopped directly in front of him.
The sound of paper striking metal was surprisingly loud.
Whitaker stared at it.
Maddox stepped closer.
“What is that?”
Evelyn folded her hands again.
“Chief Whitaker, this document authorizes federal agents to take a person into custody.”
Whitaker didn't touch it.
“Whose name is on it?”
Evelyn looked directly into his eyes.
“Read it.”
The chief slowly lowered his gaze.
His fingers moved toward the paper.
He stopped before touching it.
For several seconds, he simply stared.
Then he read the name.
RAYMOND JAMES WHITAKER.
His face went completely still.
Maddox looked over his shoulder.
“What the hell?”
Evelyn's voice remained calm.
“Chief Whitaker, you are under arrest for conspiracy, obstruction of a federal investigation, witness intimidation, and participating in a scheme involving the falsification and concealment of official police records.”
Maddox stepped forward.
“You can't do this!”
Evelyn looked at him.
“Actually, Detective, I can.”
Whitaker slowly raised his eyes.
“You don't understand what you're doing.”
Evelyn closed the folder.
“I understand exactly what I'm doing.”
The chief leaned forward.
“You think this ends with me?”
“No.”
She paused.
“It begins with you.”
Chapter 4 — The Man Who Didn't Know He Was Being Watched
Whitaker stared at the warrant.
He had spent twenty-six years building his career.
He had started as a patrol officer, worked his way through the ranks, and eventually become chief of the department.
He had survived political scandals, budget investigations, union disputes, and two mayoral elections.
He knew how to control a room.
He knew how to pressure subordinates.
He knew how to make problems disappear before they became public.
But he had never expected to be sitting across from Evelyn Brooks with his own arrest warrant on the table.
He looked toward Maddox.
“Richard.”
The detective stepped closer.
“Chief?”
“Call legal.”
Evelyn interrupted.
“That won't be necessary.”
Whitaker ignored her.
“Call the department attorney.”
Maddox reached for his phone.
Evelyn spoke again.
“Detective Maddox, put the phone down.”
Maddox turned toward her.
“You don't give me orders.”
“I am not giving you an order. I am informing you that the federal agents outside this room have already secured the department's communication records.”
Maddox froze.
Evelyn continued.
“Your personal phone, your department-issued phone, your office computer, and the dispatch archive are all covered by separate preservation orders.”
Whitaker stared at her.
“Preservation orders?”
“Yes.”
“You entered this building with a federal team?”
“I did.”
“How many?”
Evelyn glanced at the clock.
“Enough.”
Maddox moved toward the door.
Whitaker raised his hand.
“Don't.”
The detective stopped.
Evelyn watched both men.
“Chief, I would advise you not to make this more difficult.”
Whitaker gave a short laugh.
“You really think you can walk into my department and arrest me in front of my officers?”
“I don't need your officers' permission.”
“You need jurisdiction.”
“I have it.”
“You need evidence.”
“I have that, too.”
Whitaker leaned forward.
“Then show me.”
Evelyn opened the folder.
She removed a photograph.
It showed Whitaker standing beside a dark sedan in a parking garage.
A second photograph showed him entering a private office building.
A third showed him meeting with a man in a gray coat.
Whitaker looked at the pictures.
His face tightened.
Evelyn placed a final image on the table.
It showed the chief handing a thick envelope to Detective Maddox.
Maddox stared at it.
“What is that?”
Evelyn answered without looking away from Whitaker.