He had arrived with a clear assignment from the city administration.
He was expected to investigate the department's long history of misconduct, examine missing evidence, and identify the people responsible for protecting a network of corruption that had operated for years.
And now, before he had even entered his new office, he had witnessed the department's culture firsthand.
The next few minutes would determine whether Bellwood's old leadership would attempt to protect Thomas...
Or whether the new chief would finally expose what had been happening behind the department's closed doors.
The following morning, Marcus Harris arrived at Bellwood Police Department before most of the staff. The incident from the previous day had already spread throughout the building. Officers whispered near the lockers, administrative employees exchanged nervous looks, and several supervisors suddenly found reasons to avoid walking past the reception area.
Thomas Reed had not reported for his regular shift.
Marcus knew exactly why.
But he had no intention of allowing one officer's misconduct to distract him from the much larger problem waiting inside the department.
He entered his temporary office, placed his briefcase beside the desk, and reviewed the documents Sarah Miller had helped him collect the previous evening. His official appointment letter, the incident report, and the preliminary personnel records were arranged neatly in front of him.
One detail bothered him more than anything else.
Thomas Reed had not acted like a man who was simply having a bad day. He had behaved like someone who believed the entire department would protect him.
That kind of confidence did not come from nowhere.
Marcus picked up the telephone.
"Sarah, I need you in my office."
"Yes, Chief. I'll be there in a moment."
A few minutes later, Sarah appeared at the doorway holding a folder against her chest.
"Come in. Close the door."
She did as instructed, then sat opposite him.
Marcus opened the folder.
"I want to know what happened after I left yesterday. Did anyone contact you?"
Sarah hesitated.
"Actually, yes. Deputy Chief James Vance called me last night."
Marcus looked up.
"What did he want?"
"He asked whether I had submitted a formal statement about the incident. I told him I had witnessed everything."
"And what did he say?"
Sarah lowered her eyes.
"He told me to be careful with my wording. He said misunderstandings happen, especially when people are unfamiliar with the department's procedures."
Marcus remained silent for several seconds.
"Did he suggest that you change your statement?"
"He didn't say those exact words. But he made it clear that my job could become complicated if I made unnecessary accusations."
Marcus closed the folder.
"Sarah, I want you to understand something. You are not responsible for protecting anyone's position. Your responsibility is to tell the truth about what you witnessed."
"I understand, Chief."
"Did you save the appointment notification from yesterday?"
"Yes. I still have the original email and the system notification."
"Good. Keep both. Do not delete anything, and do not forward them to anyone unless I authorize it."
Sarah nodded.
Marcus leaned back in his chair.
"One more thing. Have you ever heard the name Elena Alvarez?"
Sarah's expression changed.
"Detective Alvarez?"
"That's right."
"She used to work in investigations. She was very good, from what I've heard. But she hasn't been assigned to any major cases for months."
"Why?"
Sarah looked toward the closed door before answering.
"People say she questioned some financial reports involving department funds. After that, she was transferred to records management."
Marcus wrote down the name.
"Do you know where I can find her?"
"Basement level. Records office. But Chief, I should warn you. Some people don't like talking about her."
Marcus gave a slight nod.
"Then perhaps she's exactly the person I need to speak with."
***
At 9:15 a.m., Marcus called an emergency meeting with the department's senior command staff.
The conference room was large, with a long polished table surrounded by twelve chairs. A framed photograph of the department's former leadership hung on the wall. Several officers were already seated when Marcus entered.
At the far end of the table sat Deputy Chief James Vance.
Vance was a broad-shouldered man in his late fifties, with neatly combed grey hair and an expression that rarely revealed what he was thinking. He had served Bellwood for more than thirty years and had been acting chief before Marcus's appointment.
He stood as Marcus entered.
"Chief Harris. Good morning."
"Deputy Chief."
Vance gestured toward the empty chair at the head of the table.
"We were just discussing the transition. There are a few matters we should bring you up to speed on."
Marcus placed a thin folder on the table.
"Excellent. We'll begin with yesterday's incident."