Her voice was controlled.
There was no shouting.
No panic.
But the seriousness in her expression was unmistakable.
Daniel released her arm with a dismissive movement.
He continued holding the identification wallet.
DANIEL COLE: You don't get to walk in here and tell me what to do.
CLAIRE BENNETT: You have my identification. You have seen the federal seal. Now return it.
Daniel opened the wallet.
He examined the photograph.
The official badge.
The federal identification number.
For a brief moment, his expression changed.
He recognized that the credentials were genuine.
But admitting that would mean acknowledging that he had been wrong.
And in front of the people watching, he was unwilling to do that.
DANIEL COLE: I've seen better-looking identification cards at a costume store.
CLAIRE BENNETT: The number is printed beneath the photograph. You can verify it through the federal directory.
DANIEL COLE: I don't need to verify anything.
CLAIRE BENNETT: Then you are deliberately refusing to follow the verification procedure.
Daniel raised the wallet.
He turned it toward the nearby officers as though presenting an object for public inspection.
DANIEL COLE: Everybody take a look. Apparently, we're dealing with someone important today.
Nobody laughed.
Gabriel looked increasingly uncomfortable.
GABRIEL ORTIZ: Dan, seriously. Give it back.
DANIEL COLE: Stay out of it.
Claire extended her hand.
CLAIRE BENNETT: Officer Cole, return my identification immediately.
Daniel looked at her.
A small, arrogant smile appeared on his face.
DANIEL COLE: You really think that little badge gives you authority over me?
CLAIRE BENNETT: It establishes my official position and the authority under which I am conducting this inspection.
DANIEL COLE: Well, I'm not impressed.
He lifted the wallet higher.
Claire remained motionless.
She was watching him carefully.
She also noticed the security camera above the entrance to the operations room.
Its red recording light was illuminated.
Every movement was being recorded.
DANIEL COLE: Maybe you should learn how things work around here.
CLAIRE BENNETT: I suggest you think carefully about what you're doing.
DANIEL COLE: Or what?
CLAIRE BENNETT: You are holding official federal credentials without authorization and interfering with a documented inspection.
Daniel looked toward the wastebasket beside the filing cabinet.
Then he looked back at her.
His expression became almost playful.
DANIEL COLE: You want this back?
CLAIRE BENNETT: Yes.
Daniel suddenly lifted the wallet toward the other officers.
DANIEL COLE: Here. Maybe this is where it belongs.
He released it.
The identification wallet dropped into the plastic wastebasket.
It struck the bottom with a hollow sound.
The federal badge remained visible through the transparent opening.
For several seconds, the operations room became completely silent.
The sound of ringing telephones and distant conversations seemed to disappear into the background.
Gabriel stared at the wastebasket.
A patrol officer slowly lowered the paperwork he had been holding.
The detective near the printer looked at Daniel with disbelief.
Daniel folded his arms.
DANIEL COLE: There. Problem solved.
Claire looked down at the wallet.
Then she looked directly at him.
There was no embarrassment on her face.
No desperation.
No attempt to argue.
Instead, she appeared to be making a careful mental record of everything that had just happened.
CLAIRE BENNETT: Are you finished?
DANIEL COLE: What?
CLAIRE BENNETT: Your demonstration. Are you finished?
Daniel gave a short laugh.
DANIEL COLE: You can pick it up yourself.
CLAIRE BENNETT: I will retrieve it when appropriate.
DANIEL COLE: What's that supposed to mean?
CLAIRE BENNETT: It means I have more important things to address.
Daniel's smile faded slightly.
He had expected her to become angry.
He had expected her to demand an apology.
Instead, she reached for her black leather case and placed it on the nearest desk.
She opened it and removed a folder containing the federal inspection authorization.
CLAIRE BENNETT: Officer Cole, I want you to understand something.
DANIEL COLE: I'm listening.
CLAIRE BENNETT: This inspection was authorized before I entered the building. Your department received the relevant documentation. My credentials are registered, and the purpose of my visit has been formally recorded.
DANIEL COLE: So?
CLAIRE BENNETT: So your personal opinion about my position does not change the authority under which I am operating.
Daniel stared at her.
CLAIRE BENNETT: And your decision to interfere with that inspection will be documented separately.
DANIEL COLE: You're threatening me?
CLAIRE BENNETT: I'm informing you of what happens when an officer interferes with an official investigation.