“This is the chief's office. Is Daniel Carter in your custody?”
Briggs's stomach tightened.
He glanced toward Daniel.
“Yes, sir.”
“Is he injured?”
Briggs hesitated.
“Minor scratches.”
“Did you authorize medical care?”
“We're processing him.”
The voice became sharper.
“That wasn't my question.”
Briggs swallowed.
“No, sir.”
A pause.
Then another voice took the phone.
Older.
Firmer.
Briggs recognized it immediately.
Police Chief Raymond Whitaker.
“Officer Briggs.”
Briggs straightened.
“Yes, Chief.”
“Step away from the detainee.”
“Sir?”
“Now.”
Briggs looked toward Daniel.
The young man remained seated.
His hands were folded.
His face was calm.
“Chief, we've got a suspect here with what appears to be a fraudulent police badge.”
The chief's answer came immediately.
“That badge is genuine.”
Briggs froze.
He looked down at the credential holder.
Then at Daniel.
The chief continued.
“And the man sitting across from you is an authorized investigator assigned to a joint public corruption investigation.”
Briggs stopped breathing.
Keller moved closer.
“What?”
Briggs raised one hand toward him.
The chief's voice hardened.
“Do not touch his property. Do not alter the booking record. Do not release him from the building without direct authorization. And do not speak to anyone involved in his arrest about what you've just learned.”
Briggs's mouth opened.
“Chief, I didn't know—”
“You had his identification in your hands.”
Briggs stared at the gold badge.
“I thought it was fake.”
“You were instructed to verify restricted credentials through a supervisor.”
“Sir—”
“Did you physically assault him?”
Briggs went silent.
The chief waited.
“Officer Briggs.”
“No, sir.”
Daniel looked up.
Briggs's eyes flicked toward him.
The chief's voice became cold.
“Are you certain that's your answer?”
Briggs swallowed.
“Yes, sir.”
There was a pause.
Then the chief spoke slowly.
“Because I am watching the processing-room video as we speak.”
The officer's face turned pale.
The chief continued.
“And I have just watched you grab him by the collar twice.”
Briggs's lips parted.
“I can explain.”
“You'll have an opportunity.”
“Chief—”
“Step away from him.”
The line went silent.
Briggs lowered the receiver.
He looked toward Daniel.
For the first time, there was no mockery in his expression.
Only fear.
Daniel slowly straightened his shirt collar.
Briggs stared.
“Who are you?”
Daniel looked him in the eyes.
“Someone who told you to check the identification.”
Keller stepped closer.
“Daniel, listen—”
Daniel turned toward him.
“Do not use my first name.”
Keller stopped.
Daniel's tone remained calm.
“You didn't know me ten minutes ago. We aren't friends now.”
The words landed hard.
Keller glanced toward Briggs.
Neither man spoke.