“No,” James said firmly.
“That's my sister!”
“And whoever is watching her may be waiting for you.”
Brooks looked furious.
“You expect me to sit here?”
“I expect you to stay alive long enough to testify.”
For several seconds, neither man spoke.
Then James softened his voice.
“Ethan, I understand what you're feeling. But if you rush into this without knowing who's outside that apartment, you're giving them exactly what they want.”
Marcus returned with his phone.
“Local FBI agents are already approaching the building. No sirens. No marked vehicles.”
James nodded.
“Good.”
Twenty minutes later, Marcus received an update.
Sarah Brooks was safe.
But the apartment had been searched.
Nothing valuable had been taken.
Instead, someone had left a photograph on her kitchen table.
It showed Ethan standing beside Hayes during a routine traffic stop.
On the back, someone had written:
YOU SHOULD HAVE KEPT YOUR MOUTH SHUT.
Brooks stared at the photograph.
James examined it carefully.
“That's not a warning.”
Marcus looked at him.
“What is it?”
James turned the photograph over again.
“It's proof that they've been watching him for longer than we thought.”
CHAPTER 7 — THE OFFICER WHO NEVER FILED A REPORT
The following morning, James requested the complete personnel history of Lieutenant Harris.
The records showed an impressive career.
Twenty-two years of service.
No formal disciplinary actions.
Several commendations.
A spotless performance history.
It was almost too perfect.
Marcus entered the room carrying another file.
“We found something.”
James looked up.
“Go ahead.”
“Before Harris became lieutenant, he worked directly under Rourke. They were assigned to the same evidence-management unit.”
“Dates?”
“Six years together.”
James examined the records.
“Who reviewed Harris's promotions?”
“Rourke.”
“And who approved the complaints against Rourke?”
Marcus paused.
“Harris.”
James gave a humorless smile.
“So they investigated each other.”
Captain Mitchell entered.
“I just received confirmation that Harris has been placed on administrative leave.”
James looked at her.
“Who authorized that?”
“The district commander.”
“Did he consult federal investigators?”
“No.”
James stood.
“Then somebody just gave Harris a head start.”
Mitchell's expression changed.
“Are you saying the commander is involved?”
“I'm saying that until we understand the chain of authority, nobody gets the benefit of the doubt.”
At that moment, Marcus's phone rang.
He listened briefly, then looked at James.
“Harris has disappeared.”
James reached for his coat.
“Find him.”
“Already trying.”
James stopped at the door.
“And Marcus?”
“Yes?”
“Don't let the department find him before we do.”
CHAPTER 8 — HAYES BREAKS HIS SILENCE
Trooper Hayes had not slept.
He sat alone in his kitchen, staring at the messages on his phone.
For twenty-five years, he had believed that loyalty meant following orders and never questioning the people above him.
Now he was beginning to understand what that loyalty had cost.
His phone rang.
Unknown number.
He answered.
“Who is this?”
A man's voice responded.
“You need to stop talking.”
Hayes stood.
“I don't know what you're talking about.”
“You spoke to the FBI.”
“They already know everything.”
A brief silence followed.
Then the voice became colder.
“Do they know about the storage unit?”
Hayes froze.
“What storage unit?”
“Don't insult me, Richard.”
Hayes slowly lowered himself into a chair.