“That is a terrible opening.”
He smiled despite himself.
“I’m fine.”
“You didn’t answer.”
“I was in a meeting.”
“You were supposed to text me before eight.”
“I know.”
“What happened?”
He hesitated.
Wrong decision.
His wife immediately heard it.
“What happened?”
“Traffic stop.”
Silence.
Then:
“What happened during the traffic stop?”
He touched his cheek.
“A Sergeant lost his temper.”
Another silence.
“Did he hurt you?”
“No.”
Technically.
His shoulder hurt.
Cheek hurt.
Pride maybe.
His wife knew him too well.
“You’re lying.”
“Minor.”
“Hospital?”
“No.”
“Doctor?”
“No.”
She exhaled.
“Come home.”
“I just got to work.”
“Of course you did.”
The Captain smiled.
“I’ll call at lunch.”
“You will call before lunch.”
“Yes.”
“And send me a picture.”
“Why?”
“So I can decide whether ‘minor’ means actual minor or your version.”
He laughed.
“I love you.”
“I’m currently undecided.”
The call ended.
The Captain looked at the phone.
Then took a photograph of his cheek.
Sent it.
Three dots appeared immediately.
Then:
I AM DEFINITELY STILL MAD.
He smiled.
By noon, investigators had already found something.
Not proof.
A pattern.
Seven civilian complaints against the Sergeant during the previous two years mentioned unusual references to cash.
Most were vague.
One driver claimed the Sergeant asked whether he wanted to “handle the ticket privately.”
Another reported that the Sergeant said he could “save everybody paperwork” for cash.
A third complaint stated two hundred dollars had disappeared from a wallet during a roadside search.
All had been closed.
Insufficient evidence.
No video.
Body camera malfunction.
Complainant unreliable.
No corroboration.
The Captain read every one.
Then asked:
“Who reviewed them?”
The Internal Affairs Lieutenant looked uncomfortable.
“Various supervisors.”
“Names.”
The Lieutenant gave three.
The Captain recognized one from the morning meeting.
Interesting.
“Were any complainants interviewed in person?”
“Some.”
“How many?”
“I’d have to check.”
“Check.”
“Were bank withdrawal records requested?”
“No.”
“Were body-camera logs independently verified?”
“Usually the supervisor checked the camera status.”
“Usually?”
The Captain looked up.
The Lieutenant swallowed.
“We need to audit.”
“Yes.”
The Captain closed the folder.
“We do.”
The younger Officer arrived after shift.
He entered the Captain’s office wearing full uniform.
Nervous.
The Captain pointed toward the chair.
“Sit.”
The young Officer sat.
The Captain remained behind the desk.