She did not pressure Nina.
Instead, she collected the authorization documents and walked toward the operations room.
A few officers glanced at her as she passed.
One detective looked at the federal seal on her identification wallet and immediately returned to his computer.
Another continued speaking on the telephone.
Near the narcotics desk, an officer named Gabriel Ortiz stood beside a filing cabinet.
He noticed Claire approaching with her audit case.
GABRIEL ORTIZ: Good morning, ma'am. Are you looking for someone?
CLAIRE BENNETT: I'm here to meet with the evidence administration supervisor.
GABRIEL ORTIZ: Is this regarding the federal task force?
CLAIRE BENNETT: Yes. I'm conducting an inventory compliance inspection.
Gabriel glanced at the documents.
His expression became more serious.
GABRIEL ORTIZ: I can contact the supervisor for you.
CLAIRE BENNETT: Thank you.
He reached for his telephone.
That was when another officer emerged from the corridor.
His name was Daniel Cole.
At thirty-nine, Daniel had spent eleven years working for the North River Police Division.
He was physically imposing, with broad shoulders, short dark hair, and a confident manner that often made people uncomfortable.
His uniform was neatly pressed.
A body camera was attached to his chest, and his nameplate was clearly visible above his right pocket.
Daniel had developed a reputation for being aggressive with people who questioned his decisions.
He particularly disliked outside investigators.
To him, anyone who challenged the department's internal procedures was questioning his authority.
When he noticed Claire standing beside the evidence desk, he slowed down.
DANIEL COLE: What's going on here?
Gabriel turned.
GABRIEL ORTIZ: Officer Cole, this is Special Agent Bennett. She's conducting a federal inspection.
Daniel looked at Claire.
Then at the black case.
Then at the identification wallet attached to her hand.
DANIEL COLE: A federal inspection?
CLAIRE BENNETT: That's correct.
DANIEL COLE: Who authorized you to come back here?
CLAIRE BENNETT: The federal task-force agreement provides inspection authority. Your department has the authorization on file.
DANIEL COLE: Nobody told me about it.
CLAIRE BENNETT: You can verify it with your watch commander.
DANIEL COLE: I don't need to verify anything.
Gabriel shifted uncomfortably.
GABRIEL ORTIZ: Dan, I was just calling the evidence supervisor.
DANIEL COLE: I wasn't talking to you.
Daniel stepped closer to Claire.
DANIEL COLE: Let me see what you've got there.
CLAIRE BENNETT: The authorization documents?
DANIEL COLE: Your identification.
Claire opened her wallet and presented the credentials.
DANIEL COLE: So you're telling me you're a federal agent?
CLAIRE BENNETT: Yes.
DANIEL COLE: And you think that gives you permission to walk into our department and start looking through confidential records?
CLAIRE BENNETT: The records are covered by the federal cooperation agreement.
DANIEL COLE: Those are police records.
CLAIRE BENNETT: They are joint task-force records. Federal oversight is explicitly included in the agreement.
Daniel gave a short laugh.
He glanced toward the other officers.
Two patrolmen had stopped their conversation.
A detective near the printer was watching.
Daniel seemed to become more aggressive when he realized that several people were observing the exchange.
DANIEL COLE: You know, I've been working in this department for eleven years. I know how these inspections work.
CLAIRE BENNETT: Then you should have no difficulty verifying my authorization.
DANIEL COLE: Don't tell me how to do my job.
CLAIRE BENNETT: I'm not. I'm explaining the legal basis for my visit.
DANIEL COLE: You need to stop acting like you own this place.
Claire remained calm.
She had learned long ago that people who depended on intimidation often became more reckless when their tactics failed.
DANIEL COLE: What's your name again?
CLAIRE BENNETT: Special Agent Claire Bennett.
DANIEL COLE: I didn't ask for your title.
CLAIRE BENNETT: Then my name is Claire Bennett.
Daniel looked at her identification.
He reached forward and took the wallet from her hand.
Claire immediately turned toward him.
CLAIRE BENNETT: Keep your hands off me and return my credentials.
Daniel did not release the wallet.
Instead, he stepped closer and placed his other hand against her upper arm.
The movement was sudden.
Claire's shoulder shifted slightly under his grip.
GABRIEL ORTIZ: Dan, let her go.
Daniel ignored him.
DANIEL COLE: You're going to listen to me before you start ordering people around.
Claire looked down at his hand.
Then she raised her eyes to meet his.
CLAIRE BENNETT: Remove your hand.