Mayor Richard Halden stepped out, adjusting his tie, sweating more than the warm weather justified. The crowd booed instantly. “Get out!” “You protected those bullies!” “You covered for the Maddox family!” Halden forced a smile that trembled at the edges.
“Everyone, please calm down. We don’t need to escalate this situation. The city is handling it.” “Handling it?” a woman shouted. “A girl was assaulted and you did nothing!” The mayor held up both hands.
“It seems there has been an overreaction online. I am here to clarify that the situation is not as severe as—” A roar of outrage drowned him out. Donovan stepped forward. “Mayor Halden.” Halden turned quickly, relief washing across his face.
“Commander Carter, thank God you’re here. We must talk about de-escalation. Your involvement is making this incident look far worse than it is.” That sentence was a spark thrown onto gasoline. The crowd exploded.
“Far worse?” “She almost went blind!” “Your officers protected Troy for years!” “You’re corrupt!” Reporters zoomed in on Halden’s flushed face. “Mr. Mayor, do you deny previous allegations of favoritism toward the Maddox family?”
“Why did you say the situation is not severe?” “Are you downplaying a hate crime?” Halden stammered. “No, no, that’s not what I meant. I only want people to stay calm.” “You want people quiet,” Donovan cut in, voice cold as lead. “There’s a difference.”
Halden’s face twitched. “Commander, this is not the time to throw accusations. We must work together.” “We did not work together, Mayor.” Donovan’s tone sharpened, slicing the air. “You interfered.”
Reporters gasped as microphones lunged closer. “Commander, are you claiming political interference?” “Is the mayor involved in suppressing investigations?” Halden waved his hands desperately. “This is outrageous. I’ve done no such thing. I have always served this city with integrity.”
Donovan lifted a small device from his pocket, a voice recorder. The crowd instantly fell silent. Halden froze. “What are you doing?” Donovan pressed play.
A familiar voice, Halden’s voice, filled the speaker. “Zachary, don’t worry. I’ll make sure nothing happens to your boy. Just send the funds, and I’ll take care of the school board and the chief.” A collective gasp ripped through the parking lot.
The reporters surged forward. “Mayor, is that your voice?” “Did you take bribes from the Maddox family?” “Did you cover up previous assaults?” “Mr. Mayor, are you under investigation?” Halden turned chalk white.
“No. This is taken out of context. Someone must have edited that audio.” Donovan stared him down. “The federal lab authenticated it an hour ago.” The mayor stumbled backward.