Page 54 of Cross the Line
What's the point of even reporting this?
My word, the word of 52's fallen golden boy, against an entire division of officers who've already decided I'm the traitor. With my transfer to 51, my credibility is worthless.
"They've buried it." I spread the altered files across the table. "Systematically erased key connections. And who would believe me if I called it out? I'm the guy who fumbled a major drug bust."
Hawley stopped scanning documents. He watched me instead. "And if we inform the higher-ups?"
"Even if I march these files up to Internal Affairs, they'll just see a desperate cop trying to save his career by pointing fingers. My transfer is basically an admission of guilt in their view. No one's going to take my word over doctored reports and the testimony of respected officers."
I moved to his side. His closeness momentarily distracting as I leaned over his shoulder. On the screen was security footage from a street near where Daniel had been attacked.
"Watch." Hawley pointed to the timestamp in the corner.
The grainy footage showed an empty street. Then a police vehicle slowly cruising through the frame.
"That's three minutes before the estimated time of the assault." His words came low and measured. "And look at the location. Exactly where Daniel claimed his attackers emerged from."
My blood ran cold. "A 52 Division police vehicle."
"Can't make out the plate or who's driving, but the timing is too convenient to be coincidence."
"They used a police car." The whisper escaped me. The implications hitting like a physical blow. "The mole isn't just leaking information. They're actively involved."
Hawley nodded grimly. His shoulder brushed against mine as he pulled up another video file. "I've been tracking the vehicle'smovement through different cameras. It disappears for twenty minutes, then reappears heading back toward 52."
Twenty minutes. More than enough time to deliver a brutal message to my former informant.
I straightened. A chill settled over me. "We need to..."
The door to the records room swung open. Detective Sergeant Voss's smirking face appeared. "Finding everything you need, Poster Boy?" His focus flicked between Hawley and me. Calculating.
Hawley tensed beside me. I kept my demeanor neutral. "Did you need something specific, Voss? Or just stopping by to reminisce about nonsense?"
Behind Voss, I noticed another officer passing by the window for the third time in ten minutes. Lingering a beat too long. Through the glass, several others gathered at a nearby desk, occasionally glancing our way.
"Just making sure you're not... disturbing anything. Some of these files are sensitive."
"I'm aware. I created half of them."
Voss swung the door wider. His predatory satisfaction deepening. "Oh, and by the way, good timing, Carlson. We've got a suspect in custody connected to your informant's assault."
Chapter 21: A Room Without a Camera
Ryan
"You should come observe." The words sounded like a command rather than an invitation.
Hawley shifted. Alert and wary. Voss's focus flickered between us. Calculating something I couldn't quite read.
I glanced at the files spread across the table. Then at the security footage still frozen on the screen. Evidence we couldn't afford to lose.
"Both of us?"
"Just you. Your watchdog can stay here. I'm sure he has plenty to keep him occupied."
I caught Hawley's stare. Gave him a nearly imperceptible nod. He needed to stay with the evidence we'd uncovered. If Voss was pulling me away, it meant there was something here he didn't want us finding. Or worse, something he wanted to remove while I was distracted.
"Fine." I straightened my tie with practiced nonchalance. "Lead the way."
