“You're going to be interviewed.”
“Without my lawyer?”
“You can request counsel.”
Maddox looked toward the door.
“And if I refuse?”
“Then we'll proceed according to the law.”
He laughed bitterly.
“You people think you're untouchable.”
Evelyn shook her head.
“No. We think the law should apply to everyone.”
Agent Mitchell moved toward Whitaker.
“Chief, stand up.”
Whitaker slowly rose.
He looked older now.
His shoulders seemed smaller.
His polished badge reflected the overhead light.
Agent Carter reached for the warrant.
But before he could secure the document, Whitaker spoke.
“Wait.”
Everyone stopped.
He looked directly at Evelyn.
“There is something you need to know.”
Evelyn didn't respond.
“The person you're really looking for isn't in this building.”
She watched him.
“Who?”
Whitaker swallowed.
“Deputy Commissioner Samuel Grant.”
Agent Carter exchanged a glance with Mitchell.
Evelyn's expression remained unchanged.
“Why should I believe you?”
Whitaker leaned closer.
“Because he was the one who ordered the original cover-up.”
Evelyn waited.
“He controlled the investigation from the beginning. He controlled the evidence, the transfers, the payments, and the witnesses.”
“Where is he?”
Whitaker looked toward the ceiling.
Then back at her.
“He's already on his way here.”
Evelyn frowned.
“Why?”
Whitaker gave a faint smile.
“Because he thinks I'm going to protect him.”
A phone began vibrating inside the chief's jacket.
Everyone looked down.
Whitaker slowly reached for it.
Agent Mitchell stopped him.
“Don't touch it.”
Evelyn glanced at the screen.
An incoming message appeared.
The sender's name was displayed clearly.
SAMUEL GRANT.
The message contained only one sentence:
DO NOT SAY MY NAME.
Evelyn looked at Whitaker.
Then at the phone.
And finally at Agent Carter.
“Secure the device.”
Agent Carter nodded.
But Evelyn's attention had shifted to the final line of the message.
A second notification appeared.
This one contained a photograph.
It showed the front entrance of the police department.
A black government vehicle was pulling into the parking lot.
And standing beside the passenger door was a man holding a briefcase.
Evelyn recognized him immediately.
Deputy Commissioner Samuel Grant had arrived.
THE POLICE CHIEF TOLD HER SHE HAD NO AUTHORITY — THEN SHE DROPPED A FEDERAL ARREST WARRANT ON HIS DESK
Part 2 — The Deputy Commissioner Has Arrived
Continuing directly from Part 1. The story now follows Samuel Grant's arrival, the hidden chain of command behind the corruption, and the secret Evelyn Brooks has been protecting for years.
Chapter 6 — The Man Who Walked In Without Knocking
The black government vehicle stopped directly outside the police department's main entrance.
Inside Interview Room Two, nobody spoke.
Evelyn Brooks stood beside the table, watching the security monitor mounted near the ceiling. The image showed a tall man stepping out of the passenger side of the vehicle.
He wore a charcoal-gray suit, a white shirt, and a dark blue tie. His hair was almost completely silver, but his posture remained straight. He carried a leather briefcase in his right hand.
Deputy Commissioner Samuel Grant.
For thirty-two years, Grant had occupied positions of increasing authority within the state's law enforcement system. He had worked patrol, commanded regional units, supervised internal investigations, and eventually become one of the most influential officials in the state.
He was not a man who raised his voice.
He did not need to.
People generally understood what happened when he was displeased.
Detective Richard Maddox watched the monitor.
“That's him,” he whispered.
Evelyn turned toward him.
“Deputy Commissioner Grant?”
Maddox nodded.
“He's going to fix this.”
“Is that what you believe?”
“He has authority over the entire department.”
“Not over this investigation.”
Maddox looked at her.
“You don't understand how much power that man has.”
Evelyn closed her folder.