"For what?"
"You are being detained."
"Under what suspicion?"
"Interfering with an investigation."
"What investigation?"
Mercer grabbed Elena's wrist.
The movement was quick.
The people across the street reacted immediately.
Elena didn't resist.
She simply looked down at the handcuffs.
Then at Mercer's body camera.
The small red light was blinking.
Good.
Everything was being recorded.
At least, she hoped it was.
Mercer tightened the cuffs.
"You should have cooperated."
Elena looked directly into the officer's eyes.
"I am cooperating."
"Not enough."
Mercer led her toward the patrol car.
Elena noticed a second officer arriving.
Then a third.
Three officers for a woman who had been walking on a sidewalk.
She was placed in the back seat.
Before the door closed, Elena spoke quietly.
"Officer Mercer."
"What?"
"Check your body camera."
Mercer frowned.
"What about it?"
"Make sure it stays on."
The officer stared at her.
Then shut the door.
Inside the patrol car, Elena sat quietly.
She wasn't frightened.
She was thinking.
She had spent four months reviewing complaints about this department.
She had wondered whether the reports exaggerated what happened.
Now she had her answer.
Twenty-two minutes later, Elena was taken to the precinct.
Her fingerprints were recorded.
Her belongings were searched.
Her bag was opened.
Inside were a notebook, a bottle of water, a charger, and several documents.
One officer picked up the documents.
"What are these?"
Elena looked at him.
"Public records."
"About?"
"Your department."
The officer froze.
Then another officer entered the room.
"Mercer, command wants her transferred to Interview Two."
Mercer looked at Elena.
"Who is she?"
The second officer shrugged.
"Apparently nobody knows."
Elena almost smiled.
That was about to change.
Because when she opened her folder, the first page contained the seal of the State Office of Public Accountability.
And directly underneath it was the title of her investigation.
BELLmont HEIGHTS PEDESTRIAN ENFORCEMENT REVIEW.
But the page beneath that contained something far more dangerous.
A list of names.
One of them belonged to Officer Rachel Mercer.
The interview room had no windows.
A gray metal table sat beneath fluorescent lights.
Elena sat on one side.
Officer Mercer sat across from her.
A second officer stood near the door.
Mercer opened a report.
"You were detained because you matched a description."
"What description?"
"A suspicious female."
"That's not a description."
Mercer ignored her.
"Several residents reported someone walking around the neighborhood and observing private property."
"Did they report a crime?"
"No."
"Did anyone report a break-in?"
"No."
"Did anyone report trespassing?"
Mercer hesitated.
"No."
"Then why was I detained?"
Mercer closed the folder.
"Because your behavior was suspicious."
Elena nodded.
"According to whom?"
"Residents."
"Which residents?"
"I don't have to give you their names."
"Fine."
Elena leaned back.
"Then tell me something else."
"What?"
"How many people have you detained for walking in Bellmont Heights this year?"
Mercer's expression changed.
"That's irrelevant."
"It isn't."
"You're not an investigator."
Elena smiled.
"You don't know that."
Mercer stared at her.
For several seconds, neither spoke.
Then the door opened.
A lieutenant entered.
"What's going on?"
Mercer stood.
"Suspicious person."
"Any charges?"
"Not yet."
The lieutenant looked at Elena.
"Who are you?"
Elena answered calmly.
"Elena Morris."
"Occupation?"
"State employee."
"Which agency?"
Elena looked directly at him.
"Public Accountability."
The lieutenant stopped.
Mercer looked confused.
"What?"
Elena reached into her bag.
The lieutenant immediately stepped forward.
"What are you doing?"
"Getting my credentials."