The officer was trying to force open material he had been warned he was not authorized to access.
I looked toward the young deputy.
She glanced toward the road.
Then toward the cruiser.
Her hand moved to the radio again.
This time, Devlin didn't notice.
And a moment later, three sets of headlights appeared through the fog.
The leading SUV stopped twenty yards behind the cruiser.
Its headlights remained on, illuminating the wet road and the drifting fog. A second vehicle pulled behind it, followed by a third that positioned itself farther back to protect the scene from approaching traffic.
Doors opened almost simultaneously.
Special Agent Mara Ellis stepped out of the first SUV with a federal identification case in her hand.
She was fifty years old, tall and athletic, with dark skin, closely cropped hair, and an expression that could make an entire briefing room fall silent.
I had known Mara for eleven years.
We had worked together on several investigations involving threats to federal facilities and personnel.
She was not the sort of person who raised her voice unnecessarily.
But when she saw my wrists restrained behind my back, her expression changed.
“Sergeant!”
Devlin looked up from the briefing case.
“What?”
Mara approached with two other federal officers a short distance behind her.
“Step away from the case.”
Devlin frowned.
“This is an active county investigation.”
Mara displayed her credentials.
“Special Agent Mara Ellis, FBI. We need to verify the identity of the person you've detained and secure that material.”
Devlin looked toward the federal SUVs.
Then toward her badge.
For a moment, he seemed uncertain.
But instead of stopping, he placed one hand on the case.
“I've got a woman here impersonating a federal officer. She's armed, and she's driving an unmarked government-looking vehicle.”
Mara glanced toward the cruiser.
Then toward me.
Our eyes met through the rear window.
I had never been so grateful to see another human being.
She looked back at Devlin.
“That's Vivienne Quarles.”
He sneered.
“So she says.”
Mara's expression became colder.
“Deputy Director of the National Security Agency.”
The younger deputy drew a sharp breath.
Devlin stared.
Then laughed once.
An uncertain sound.
“That's impossible.”
Mara didn't argue.
Instead, she turned toward the federal protective officer accompanying her.
“Daniel, confirm with the duty office and maintain custody controls on the case.”
He nodded.