“Bodycam catches that.”
“Yes.”
“Wonderful.”
No sarcasm needed.
At state headquarters, Simone returned at 3:40.
Calvin met her near the elevators.
“How many addresses?”
“Five.”
“I said three.”
“Two were nearby.”
“You're a terrible subordinate.”
“Then demote me.”
“Tempting.”
He handed her a bottle of water.
She accepted.
“How bad?”
“Press doesn’t have it yet.”
“That's not what I asked.”
He studied her.
“Counsel wants you recused from direct investigation of Mercer.”
“Expected.”
“Deputy director will assign Laura Kim.”
“Good.”
“You keep broader oversight for now, but every decision touching your incident gets secondary review.”
“Fine.”
Calvin watched.
Simone knew him too well.
“What?”
“You sound disappointed.”
“I’m irritated.”
“Because?”
“I wanted to investigate the pattern.”
“You still will.”
“Now every defense attorney and police union representative can say I personalized it.”
Calvin nodded.
“That may happen.”
“It weakens perception.”
“Maybe.”
Simone looked toward him.
He continued:
“Or it demonstrates the pattern was observable without anyone knowing who you were.”
She paused.
Different framing.
Not better.
Useful.
Calvin said:
“Don't decide what this means today.”
“I’m not.”
“Yes, you are.”
“You’re already writing the final report in your head.”
She smiled reluctantly.
“Occupational disease.”
“Go home.”
“I have notes.”
“Tomorrow.”
“Calvin.”
“Simone.”
They stared.
He won.
Rare.
She left.
That evening, Simone sat in her apartment with takeout she barely touched.
Chicago-style? No, state/city fictional, maybe Riverton. She lived downtown in the state capital, forty minutes from Ashford Heights.
Her sister Maya called.
“How did your day go?”
Simone laughed once.
Wrong question.
“What happened?”
“Police stopped me.”
Silence.
Then:
“Are you okay?”
“Yes.”
“Did they arrest you?”
“No.”
“Touch you?”
“No.”
“Simone.”
“I’m fine.”
“You sound like work Simone.”
“What does that mean?”
“The one who says fine while mentally drafting affidavits.”
Simone smiled.
Her sister knew.
“What happened?”
Simone explained.
Maya listened.
Then said:
“He stopped you while you were literally investigating stops?”
“Yes.”
“That is almost too obvious.”
“I know.”
“Do you think he recognized you?”
“No.”
“Then maybe that's the whole point.”
Simone leaned back.
“Everyone keeps saying that.”
“Because it is.”
“No.”
Simone’s voice sharpened.
“It’s evidence.”
“Not proof of an entire department.”
Maya paused.
“Okay, lawyer.”
“Policy investigator.”
“Same disease.”
Simone smiled despite herself.