Chapter 10
The shockwaves of the federal investigation hit the municipal police precinct like an earthquake. By Friday morning, three more patrol officers had been suspended pending internal review, and the precinct captain’s office was temporarily occupied by an interim director sent directly from city hall.
Captain Raymond Vance sat at his desk, clearing out personal items into a cardboard box. He had decided to take early retirement rather than preside over a department tainted by such deep-rooted rot. He knew he hadn't personally taken bribes, but he knew he had looked the other way when warning signs appeared—and in his eyes, that made him just as culpable.
A knock sounded at the open door, and Maya Vance stepped inside, holding two cups of black coffee. She offered one to the retiring captain.
"Word is spreading fast," Maya said, leaning against the edge of the desk. "The district attorney is preparing indictments for four more officers and two civilian accomplices tied to Rossi's bail bond network."
"Good," Raymond said, accepting the coffee with a weary nod. "Clean the house out entirely. Leave nothing behind."
"You didn't have to step down, Raymond," Maya said softly. "Internal Affairs cleared you of any financial complicity."
"Legal clearance isn't moral clearance, Agent Vance," Raymond replied, taking a slow sip. "I spent twenty-five years telling myself that keeping the peace meant tolerating a few bad apples so the whole barrel wouldn't spill. I was wrong. Tolerating corruption is just another form of participating in it."
Maya respected him for that. In a world full of people eager to pass the blame, taking accountability was a rare and profound virtue. "What are your plans now?"
"Gardening, maybe," Raymond smiled faintly. "Or writing a book about how not to run a police department. How about you? Have you had your Lamborghini repaired yet?"
May you like
Maya smiled, a genuine, warm expression that rarely surfaced during her investigations. "The insurance approved the full replacement of the glass and interior detailing, courtesy of the city's liability fund. But I think I'm going to drive something a bit more understated for a while. Burgundy sedan, perhaps."
Raymond laughed, a rich, genuine sound that chased away some of the gloom in the office. "Probably a wise choice. Though I have to admit, watching you pull that federal badge out of your maroon handbag while Miller stood there looking like he’d seen a ghost is a memory I’m going to cherish for the rest of my life."
