He looked toward Briggs, who was still standing near the entrance between Morrison and Fletcher. Briggs was staring at the sound equipment with growing alarm. "Agent Dalton," Marcus said carefully. ""I believe that recording contains evidence of conspiracy to commit federal crimes. " Specifically, it should contain Sergeant Briggs speaking to Captain Pike before the alleged emergency detention began. Dalton nodded and pulled out her phone. "I'm contacting Federal Forensics now to secure those files. " "Wait," Pike said, his voice sharper than before.
"You can't just seize private hotel recordings without a warrant. " Elena smiled coldly. ""Actually, Captain, we can. " The recordings were made during a federal agent's wedding ceremony that was interrupted by what appears to be an unlawful detention. That makes them evidence of potential civil rights violations under federal jurisdiction. Pike's jaw clenched. Those recordings could contain privileged law enforcement communications. "Then you should have thought of that before conducting your emergency detention in front of live microphones," Elena replied.
Marcus watched Briggs carefully. The sergeant's face had gone from pale to gray. He was staring at the sound equipment like it might explode. "Sergeant Briggs," Marcus called out quietly. You look concerned about something.
Briggs didn't answer, but his eyes darted toward Pike. Agent Morrison, Marcus continued. When you review that audio recording, I believe you'll find Sergeant Briggs had a very interesting phone conversation with Captain Pike just before he entered this ballroom. Morrison looked toward Briggs. What kind of conversation?
Marcus kept his voice calm and factual. The kind where specific details about federal evidence are discussed before any alleged emergency tip was received. Pike moved toward the hotel employee again. I'm ordering you to surrender those recordings to local command immediately. Dalton stepped between them.
Captain Pike, you are interfering with a federal evidence preservation order. Stand down. But the damage was already done. Briggs had heard enough. "You lying coward," he snarled at Pike.
You told me this would be clean. You said nobody would know about the key. Pike whirled toward him. "Shut up, Briggs. " "Don't tell me to shut up," Briggs shot back, his voice rising. "You said Marcus had the key on him. " You said we'd be in and out before anyone knew what happened.
The ballroom went dead silent. Elena exchanged a look with Dalton. Marcus felt his heart hammering against his ribs. Pike's face had gone from pale to ashen. "Sergeant Briggs, I'm ordering you to stop talking immediately. " But Marcus was already speaking.
His voice cutting through the tension like a knife. "Captain Pike, I have a question for you. " Pike turned toward him wearily. Marcus met his eyes directly. "How exactly did Sergeant Briggs know about a federal hardware key that was never listed in any public record? " The silence that followed Marcus'ss question stretched across the ballroom like a taut wire. Pike stood frozen, his face cycling through expressions of shock, calculation, and growing desperation.