โThe recording interruption was initiated through credentials associated with her office. We're examining who actually used the account.โ
He leaned back.
โAnd the contractor?โ
The investigator looked toward the financial records.
โWe have evidence of communications about delaying your review. The full significance remains under investigation.โ
The commissioner studied the table.
He could feel his anger rising.
Not the sharp anger he'd felt immediately after the slap.
Something colder.
More deliberate.
The anger of realizing that the people entrusted with protecting a public institution might have manipulated its procedures to serve themselves.
He looked toward the captain.
โWho else knew about the assignment?โ
She named two administrative employees and a security supervisor.
The commissioner nodded.
โI want their accounts preserved and obtained through proper interviews.โ
The investigator agreed.
He continued.
โAnd I don't want anybody punished for following a lawful instruction to provide records.โ
The captain nodded.
The commissioner looked toward the federal representatives.
โDo we have enough to remove the deputy chief from access to relevant systems while the investigation proceeds?โ
The legal adviser explained the available administrative options and the need to avoid interfering with the independent investigation.
After reviewing the recommendations, the commissioner authorized an appropriate temporary restriction of the deputy chief's command and systems access while the allegations were examined.
He did not accuse her publicly of a crime.
He did not attempt to conduct the criminal investigation personally.
And he didn't contact her to demand a confession.
Instead, he arranged for the process to be handled through independent investigators, legal counsel, and the officials with proper authority.
Then he looked toward the window.
The plaza remained busy.
He remembered the sergeant standing inches from his face.
The finger pointed into his chest.
The mocking questions.
The slap.
For days, he'd considered the encounter an example of an officer's uncontrolled arrogance.
Now he understood it could also have been used as a weapon in a larger effort to obstruct departmental oversight.
He turned back toward the investigators.
โOne thing needs to remain clear.โ
They looked up.
โThe sergeant is responsible for his own conduct.โ
The captain nodded.
The commissioner continued.
โWhatever instructions he received, no one forced him to strike me.โ
He looked toward the deputy chief's messages.
โAnd whoever arranged the confrontation is responsible for that decision too.โ
The room became quiet.
Then he added, โFollow the evidence wherever it leads.โ
The deputy chief was informed of her temporary reassignment shortly before ten.