“Sergeant Reyes arrested me.”
Cole's eyebrows rose.
“Then clearly we have misunderstanding.”
“Maybe.”
He studied her.
“Where's Reyes?”
“Federal custody.”
The smile vanished.
“On what charge?”
“Not discussing that in lobby.”
Cole looked toward officers.
“Who authorized federal agents to seize city personnel?”
Maya answered:
“Federal magistrate.”
“Anything else?”
Cole held gaze.
“May I speak with Captain Hale?”
“No.”
“Why?”
“He is witness.”
“Witness to what?”
Maya smiled faintly.
“That’s an excellent question.”
Cole left twenty minutes later after calling department counsel.
He did not threaten.
Did not shout.
Did not touch his phone until outside.
Maya watched.
“He’s better than Reyes.”
Laura stood beside.
“Much.”
“Reyes leads with ego.”
“Cole leads with patience.”
“Harder.”
Laura nodded.
“Always.”
The warrants changed everything.
Metro Asset Recovery maintained an off-books warehouse in Cicero.
Inside, agents found seized electronics, vehicle parts, unopened evidence packaging, and three firearms matching serial numbers from cases officially marked destroyed or transferred.
Money was harder.
Cash moved through shell companies.
One company paid “consulting fees” to a security firm owned by Cole’s brother-in-law.
Another purchased properties at city auctions after evidence-related liens.
Reyes received direct money.
Not enormous.
Enough.
$4,000 here.
$7,500 there.
Cash deposits.
Trips.
A motorcycle.
Brennan received no money.
His payment was silence about his own misconduct.
Cole denied knowledge.
Ellis Vane disappeared.
His house empty.
Phone off.
Passport flagged.
That made him priority.
Maya returned to Twelfth District forty-eight hours after arrest.
This time in navy suit.
Priya saw her enter and smiled.
“You look more federal today.”
Maya raised eyebrow.
“Careful.”
Priya laughed.
Then became serious.
“Can I ask something?”
“Yes.”
“Did my warning matter?”
“The badge?”
“Yes.”
Maya thought.
“Yes.”