"Am I free to make a telephone call?"
"You're free to get out of my station."
The woman nodded once.
Then she removed her phone.
The officer started toward her again.
But before she could reach across the table, the woman tapped a contact and lifted the device to her ear.
The call connected almost immediately.
She spoke five words.
"The transfer point is compromised."
Then she listened.
Her expression did not change.
"Yes. The credentials were destroyed, and the evidence case was physically interfered with."
A pause.
"No. I have not surrendered custody."
The blonde officer scoffed loudly.
"Tell whoever that is they can come pick you up!"
The woman continued speaking.
"Proceed with the previously authorized protection plan. Preserve the station recordings. I'm remaining in the public lobby."
She ended the call.
Then she placed the phone beside the evidence case.
The officer laughed.
"What was that supposed to be? Your lawyer?"
The woman met her stare.
"No."
"Your boyfriend?"
"No."
"Then who?"
The woman straightened.
"The person who now needs to know exactly what you've done."
The officer rolled her eyes.
"Oh, please."
She reached toward the black evidence case.
The woman placed two fingers on the lid.
"Don't open that."
The blonde officer smiled.
"Now I definitely want to."
Behind them, the interior doors opened.
A tall, heavyset police chief in his early sixties entered the lobby wearing a crisp white command uniform with gold shoulder insignia. His neatly combed silver hair and broad shoulders gave him an imposing appearance.