“The folder is not my identity.”
Grady moved behind him. “Hands behind your back.”
Adrian remained facing forward. “Call your watch commander first.”
“I am the floor supervisor.”
“Then call Assistant Chief Parker.”
Grady’s eyes narrowed. “How do you know Parker?”
Adrian looked at him. “Because I read the command chart.”
That answer should have suggested either legitimate preparation or a sophisticated impersonation requiring careful verification. Grady interpreted it only as insolence.
He grabbed Adrian’s right wrist. Adrian did not pull away.
Nicole Reyes said, “Sergeant, maybe we should verify before cuffing.”
Grady turned his head. “I am verifying.”
“You already have his name.”
“He could be lying.”
Adrian offered his left hand voluntarily. The cuffs closed.
Grady tightened them and asked, “You still want to lecture me?”
“No.”
“Good.”
Adrian looked toward Nicole’s camera. Then Kevin’s.
Evidence existed. That mattered.
Grady pushed him toward the service counter. Adrian caught himself against the edge with his hip while the leather folder slid several inches.
Its clasp opened. A badge case slipped out, hit the counter, and flipped open.
The gold shield inside read CHIEF OF POLICE — BELLHAVEN.
Kevin Miles inhaled. Nicole stepped closer.
Grady picked up the badge case. He looked at the shield for several seconds, then gave a dismissive laugh.
“Nice.”
Nicole said, “Sergeant, let me see it.”
“No.”
He tossed it beside the folder. “You can buy anything online now.”
Adrian turned his head slightly. “You believe I purchased a counterfeit Bellhaven chief’s badge, had a properly tailored command uniform made, walked into headquarters in daylight, gave you my real name, and then asked you to call command.”
“People do stupid things,” Grady said.
Adrian’s voice became almost dry. “On that point, we agree.”
Kevin looked away to hide a reaction. Grady noticed.
“You think this is funny?”
“No, Sergeant.”
Grady pushed Adrian’s shoulder farther toward the counter. “Face forward.”
Adrian obeyed. Not because he accepted Grady’s reasoning. He simply wanted the record clean.
“Take your hand off my shoulder,” he said.
“You’re in no position to give orders.”
“That is your last warning to slow this down.”
Grady leaned closer. “Or what?”
Adrian answered, “You’ll have to explain it to someone who outranks both of us.”
Grady laughed. “Who?”
Adrian did not answer.
That silence angered him more than a threat would have. “Full name again.”
“Adrian Michael Cole.”
Grady looked toward Kevin. “Run him.”
Kevin moved behind the counter and opened the department’s local personnel search. Adrian already knew what would happen.
His Bellhaven employment file had been created through city human resources, his state certification was active, and the appointment system listed him. The local quick-search directory, however, was scheduled to synchronize after the ceremony when the department officially changed command access.