Derek's expression tightened.
"What appointment?"
Marcus lowered his voice.
"The city's new Director of Civilian Police Oversight."
For the first time, Derek stopped moving.
Marcus held his gaze.
"That's me."
The officer looked at him.
Then laughed.
It was a short, nervous laugh.
"You're lying."
Marcus didn't answer.
"You're telling me you're that Marcus Williams?"
"Yes."
"The former federal prosecutor?"
"Yes."
Derek swallowed.
The officer had seen the name before.
He remembered an email.
A departmental notice.
A photograph attached to a briefing circulated at the beginning of the shift.
But he'd barely looked at it.
He'd been irritated by the announcement that civilian investigators would be reviewing unresolved complaints and officer conduct records.
He remembered joking with another patrolman that the department had hired another outsider to tell police officers how to do their jobs.
And now that outsider was sitting in front of him with both hands raised.
The toy gun suddenly felt absurd in Derek's grip.
But fear did not make him sensible.
It made him defensive.
"Anybody can claim to be somebody important."
Marcus nodded.
"That's true."
"So I don't have to believe you."
"No."
"Then stop pretending."
Marcus looked toward the street.
"Verify it."
Derek hesitated.
Before he could answer, the low rumble of approaching engines broke the silence.
A black SUV turned onto Maple Grove Drive.
Then another.
Two additional vehicles followed at a distance.
They moved past the neighboring houses and stopped near Marcus's driveway.
Derek stepped backward.
The driver's door of the first SUV opened.
A woman in a navy business suit emerged.
She carried a slim leather folder and wore an identification badge clipped inside her jacket.
Two men stepped out of the second vehicle.
A third person remained near the curb, speaking into a phone.
The woman approached the porch quickly.
"Officer Mason!"
Derek turned.
"Ma'am, stay back."
She stopped at the walkway.
"Put that toy down and move away from the homeowner."
Derek looked toward Marcus.
Then back at her.
"Who are you?"
"Deputy Director of the City Inspector General's Office."
Derek's face went pale.
The woman looked at Marcus.
"Director Williams, are you injured?"
"I'm all right."
"Has the officer detained you?"
"He's threatened to."