“And the courage to say a number doesn't match even when someone important tells you to stop counting.”
Applause.
Malik did not clap immediately.
He thought of Whitaker in diner.
Tired.
Nervous.
“I don't guess with numbers.”
Simple man.
Killed because he kept looking.
After ceremony, Sophie found Malik.
“You look exactly the same.”
“That's biologically impossible.”
She laughed.
“Fine. More gray.”
“Cruel.”
They walked.
Sophie asked:
“Do you still think about my dad?”
“Yes.”
“Every day?”
“No.”
Honest.
She nodded.
“Good.”
Malik looked toward her.
She continued:
“I don't want people living in his death forever.”
“I don't.”
“Good.”
They stopped near memorial plaque.
Sophie said:
“I watched the station video once.”
Malik groaned.
“Why?”
“Curiosity.”
“You look terrifying.”
“Thank you.”
“That wasn't a compliment.”
“Still taking it.”
She smiled.
Then:
“When Blake said Dad's name…”
“Yes.”
“You knew.”
“Yes.”
Sophie looked toward plaque.
“Dad would've loved that.”
Malik raised eyebrow.
“The clue?”
“Yes.”
“He loved when people accidentally proved him right.”
Malik laughed.
That sounded exactly like Whitaker.
She continued:
“I used to wish he had stopped.”
“The audit.”
Malik said nothing.
“I thought if he had walked away, he'd be alive.”
“Maybe.”
She looked at him.
“I don't think that anymore.”
“Why?”
“Because Dorne and Blake and Ramirez were hurting people before Dad found them.”
“If not him, someone eventually had to.”
Malik nodded.
Sophie continued:
“But I also don't think people should have to die for doing the right thing.”
“No.”
“That part people romanticize.”
“Heroism.”
“Sacrifice.”
She shook her head.
“I'd rather have my father.”
Malik felt that sentence.
“Of course.”
They stood quietly.
No inspirational answer.
Some losses did not need one.
Years later, Malik returned to Riverside Police Department for a training seminar.
The building had been renovated.
Booking counter replaced.
Old gray metal gone.
Brighter lobby.
New security systems.
Different chief.
Many officers too young to remember Whitaker case except from academy materials.
One recruit approached Malik afterward.
“Sir?”
“Don't call me sir.”
“Yes, sir.”
Malik stared.
Recruit swallowed a smile.
“What?”
“You're the investigator from envelope story, right?”
Malik sighed.
“Yes.”
“Did Sergeant Blake really kick you?”
“He attempted.”
“So he missed?”
“Mostly.”
“Video makes it look like he got you.”
Malik narrowed eyes.
“Young man.”
“Sorry.”
Recruit grinned.
Malik shook head.
Then recruit asked:
“Did you know he was the leak before you walked in?”
“No.”
“You suspected?”
“One of four.”
“What if he'd just taken envelope and said nothing?”
“We'd keep testing.”
“What if he didn't touch you?”
“Better for everyone.”
The recruit nodded.