Call the Army Criminal Investigation Division. The number is, "Shut your mouth. " Voss's hand moved to his baton. I'm done listening to your lies. Every word out of your mouth is just digging you deeper. Danielle kept her expression neutral, but her mind raced.
She could see Voss's body camera mounted on his chest, its red light blinking steadily. Everything he said and did was being recorded. She needed to stay calm and let him reveal himself. I have the right to have my identity verified, she said quietly. "You have the right to stay quiet before I add obstruction charges to your file. " Voss circled around to the driver's side of her SUV, running his hands along the exterior.
What else you got hidden in this fancy truck? More fake federal documents. You don't have permission to search my vehicle. Voss laughed harshly. I've got probable cause.
Suspected federal impersonation gives me all the authority I need. He peered through the tinted windows trying to see inside. Government plates, expensive equipment. Somebody's running a real professional con game here. Danielle watched his movements carefully.
Every time she had mentioned her investigation, Voss had become more aggressive. When she had tried to approach the pumps initially, he had practically thrown himself between her and the fuel area. This wasn't just prejudice or power tripping. There was desperation in his actions. "Officer, I was specifically sent to inspect pump six," she said, testing her theory.
Voss spun around, his face flushing red. You're not inspecting anything. You're not going anywhere near those pumps. His voice cracked slightly on the last word. There it was.
Fear. Raw, genuine fear. Danielle filed that reaction away. Why are you so concerned about Pump 6 specifically? Because you're a criminal trying to interfere with legitimate business.
But Voss's voice was too loud, too forced. He was overcompensating. He walked back around the SUV and picked up one broken half of her badge from the pavement. The Federal Seal was split cleanly down the middle, the metal edges jagged and sharp. He held it up in front of her face.
"You see this? " Voss tossed the broken badge piece onto the hood of her SUV where it landed with a hollow clang. That's what your supposed federal authority is worth here. Nothing. Less than nothing. Danielle stared at the broken badge fragment lying on her vehicle.
The morning sun caught the damaged metal, making the fractured seal gleam. She had carried that badge for 8 years. It represented every case she had closed, every criminal she had brought to justice, every time she had stood up for what was right. Voss didn't understand what he had just done. Before approaching her, Danielle had sent a simple message to General Marcus Thorne.