“Every unauthorized entry occurred before a security event that later resulted in Harrington Maritime recommending additional services.”
Sterling’s fingers stopped moving.
Adrien continued.
“Three events produced supplemental contracts.”
Nobody spoke.
“One produced an emergency equipment purchase.”
Still nothing.
“Total revenue to Harrington Maritime: approximately eighteen point six million dollars.”
Sterling’s attorney said, “Coincidence.”
Adrien nodded.
“It may be.”
Preston finally spoke.
“So what are you accusing us of?”
“I haven’t accused you of anything.”
“You’re sitting here implying we created security problems to sell solutions.”
Adrien held his gaze.
“I didn’t say that.”
Preston realized his mistake.
Too late.
Adrien leaned back.
“But now I know you understand exactly what the pattern looks like.”
The room went silent.
Outside the conference room, another investigation had already begun.
Jonah Reed sat alone inside his patrol vehicle.
His body camera rested on the passenger seat.
Captain Wexler had ordered every officer involved to report back to headquarters.
Jonah had not moved.
He kept replaying the morning.
Adrien saying where his identification was.
Dunn ignoring him.
Preston laughing.
Wexler arriving and shaking Preston’s hand.
The order to detain before verification.
Jonah had done almost nothing.
That realization bothered him more than he expected.
Dunn knocked on the window.
Jonah unlocked the door.
Dunn climbed into the passenger seat.
Neither spoke for several seconds.
Finally Dunn said, “Turn that thing off.”
Jonah looked at the camera.
“It is off.”
Dunn exhaled.
“We’re screwed.”
Jonah looked toward the marina.
“No.”
Dunn frowned.
“No?”
“He was.”
“What?”
“He was screwed.”
Jonah looked at him.
“We were the ones standing there with choices.”
Dunn rubbed his face.
“Wexler gave the order.”
“And?”
“What was I supposed to do?”
“Verify the ID.”
Dunn stared at him.
“You think you’re better than me because you hesitated?”
Jonah looked away.
“No.”
That answer surprised Dunn.
Jonah continued.
“I think I failed slower.”
Dunn said nothing.
Back at police headquarters, Captain Wexler began writing his report.
He described Adrien as confrontational.
He wrote that the subject repeatedly refused identification.
He wrote that officers perceived possible aggressive movement.
He wrote that physical restraint became necessary.
Then he summoned Dunn.
“You saw him reach toward his jacket.”
Dunn hesitated.
“He told us his ID was there.”
“That wasn’t my question.”
Dunn understood.
Wexler continued.
“You saw him reach.”
“I don’t remember him reaching.”
Wexler leaned back.
“Caleb, this is not complicated.”
Dunn stared at the desk.
Wexler’s voice softened.
“The Harrington family has supported this department for fifteen years.”
Dunn said nothing.
“New patrol vehicles.”
Silence.
“Training grants.”
Silence.
“Equipment.”
Still nothing.