Chapter 4 - The First Order
Captain David Miller was waiting when Sarah entered the precinct.
He did not invite her to sit.
That told her everything.
"Close the door."
Sarah did.
Miller removed his glasses and rubbed his eyes.
"The commissioner called."
"Marcus works quickly."
"He filed a formal complaint."
Sarah laughed without humor.
"Against me?"
"Harassment."
"His son nearly killed Lily."
"I know."
"Then why are we having this conversation?"
Miller stood.
"Because you're a police detective who confronted a juvenile suspect while personally connected to the alleged victim."
"Alleged?"
Miller winced.
"Don't do that."
"Use that word again and see what happens."
Miller lowered his voice.
"Sarah, I'm trying to protect you."
"From whom?"
He did not answer.
That answer was enough.
Sarah crossed her arms.
"You're taking me off it."
"I'm ordering you not to involve yourself."
"Miller."
"That's not a request."
He walked around the desk.
"Go home."
"Go to the hospital."
"Stay with Lily."
"Let another investigator handle this."
Sarah looked through the glass wall toward the bullpen.
Several officers quickly looked away.
News traveled fast.
"Who's getting the case?"
Miller hesitated.
"Detective Nolan."
Sarah nearly laughed.
Nolan had spent the previous year investigating parking fraud and insurance scams.
"You assigned Nolan to a potentially intentional assault involving one of the most politically connected families in the state?"
"It wasn't my choice."
There it was.
Sarah looked back at Miller.
"How high did the order come from?"
He said nothing.
Sarah nodded slowly.
"Commissioner?"
Silence.
"Mayor's office?"
Miller's jaw tightened.
Sarah understood.
Marcus had not merely called friends.
He had activated a network.
She walked toward the door.
"Sarah."
She stopped.
"If you keep pushing this, they're going to destroy you."
Sarah looked over her shoulder.
"My daughter fell twelve feet because somebody decided his last name made him untouchable."
She opened the door.
"I'd like to test that theory."
At her desk, she packed personal photographs into a cardboard box.
Ramirez passed behind her.
He did not speak.
He only dropped a small flash drive into the box.
Sarah did not look at him.
Neither detective needed words.
She left the building carrying the box against her chest.
Twenty minutes later, Captain Miller received another call from the commissioner.
May you like
By then, Sarah Vance had already disappeared into the city.
And the flash drive was already connected to her laptop.
