He appeared irritated.
"What's going on out here?"
The blonde officer immediately straightened.
"Chief, this woman came in with fake federal identification and refused to cooperate with security."
The chief looked toward the inspection table.
He saw the torn papers.
The cracked identification card.
The black reinforced case.
Then he looked at the woman in the champagne-colored dress.
Every trace of color disappeared from his face.
The woman turned toward him.
"Chief. We have a problem."
His mouth opened slightly.
"Agent?"
The blonde officer blinked.
The chief stepped closer.
His eyes moved from the woman's face to the damaged credential.
Then to the evidence case.
Then back to the woman.
"Please tell me that isn't what I think it is."
The woman looked toward the scattered fragments.
"Your officer destroyed my identification after refusing verification."
The chief swallowed.
The blonde officer looked between them.
"Chief, she's lying. I was just—"
"Be quiet."
The command was so sharp that several officers turned.
The chief stared at the black case.
"Did anyone open it?"
"No," the woman replied.
The chief exhaled shakily.
"Thank God."
The blonde officer frowned.
"Sir, what exactly is happening?"
The chief did not answer.
Because at that moment, his phone began ringing.
He glanced at the screen.
His hand stopped halfway toward his pocket.
The caller's identity seemed to frighten him more than the damaged federal credential.
He looked at the woman.