Everyone stay calm," Dalton said, raising her voice to address the federal agents throughout the ballroom. ""Nobody moves. Nobody interferes. We handle this by the book. "" Several agents who had been shifting forward stopped in place. Marcus could see the confusion on their faces. 30 federal law enforcement officers could end this confrontation in seconds.
They could overpower four local cops and sort everything out later. But Dalton knew better. If they acted outside legal authority now, everything that followed could be compromised. Evidence could be thrown out. Cases could collapse.
The people they were really hunting might disappear forever. Elena resumed her questioning, her voice sharp and relentless. Sergeant Briggs, who authorized this detention? Who gave you permission to interrupt a private ceremony and arrest someone without a warrant? Briggs's jaw clenched.
I don't need authorization for emergency response. This doesn't look like an emergency response. This looks like harassment. Federal credentials fraud is a serious crime. Then where's your evidence?
Elena stepped closer. Show me the fraudulent credentials. Show me the anonymous tip documentation. Show me anything that justifies dragging my fiance away from our wedding altar. Briggs's hand twitched toward Marcus's jacket again.
The movement was subtle but unmistakable. His thick fingers pressed against the fabric, searching for something specific in the inside pocket. Marcus shifted backward as far as the handcuffs allowed. The motion pulled him slightly away from Briggs's reaching hand. "What are you looking for, Sergeant? " Briggs froze.
I'm not looking for anything. "Then why do you keep reaching for my jacket? " "I'm securing potential evidence. " "What evidence? " Marcus'ss voice remained calm, but there was steel underneath. You said this was identity verification. What does my jacket have to do with verifying my identity? Around them, the federal agents watched the confrontation with professional interest.
They could see what was happening. Briggs wasn't just interested in Marcus'ss arrest. He was interested in something Marcus was carrying. Elena noticed the pattern, too. He's been reaching for that jacket since the moment he put handcuffs on you.
Why, Sergeant Briggs? What do you think is in there? Briggs's face flushed red. Sweat beaded on his forehead despite the ballroom's air conditioning. He was losing control of the situation, and everyone in the room could see it.