“We already are.”
Claire stood near the center of the room and watched something rare happen.
A corrupt system seeing itself.
Not the badge version.
Not the press conference version.
The real version.
Messy. Frightened. Small.
Reyes held up a drive.
“This station’s body camera server has been preserved under federal order. External mirror confirmed.”
Dugan lunged half a step.
“What mirror?”
Officer Emily Parker, standing near the back wall, swallowed but held steady.
Nobody looked at her.
Nobody knew yet.
Good.
Reyes kept going.
“We also have recording from Agent Bennett’s residence, interior audio, exterior transport video, and booking desk surveillance. Enough to establish probable cause independently of any testimony offered here today.”
Kessler stared at Claire.
The hard, swaggering detective from midnight was gone.
Now he just looked like a man trying to count how many years were left in his life and not liking the number.
