He actively hunts for minorities driving nice cars. He calls it fishing for the cartel. But it's not about drugs. It's about the cash. Civil asset forfeiture, David prompted, tapping the folder.
Collins nodded vigorously. Yes. If they find cash, they just take it. They threaten the drivers, tell them if they fight it, they'll plant narcotics in the car and ruin their lives. Most people just walk away and let them keep the money.
And where does the money go, Brian? Collins hesitated. The deeply ingrained blue wall of silence was fighting against his instinct for self-preservation. Brian, David leaned in, his voice taking on the stern paternal tone of a judge. Right now, you are facing a federal indictment under Giglio.
That means your credibility as an officer is permanently destroyed. You will never wear a badge again. But if you walk out of this room without giving me what I need, you won't just lose your badge. You will be indicted as a co-conspirator in a federal racketeering case. That's 20 years in a federal penitentiary.
You'll be 34 when you see the sun again. Collins choked on a sob. Miller is in the next room, David lied smoothly. He is currently blaming the entire operation on you. He says you were the one who spotted my car, and you were the one who suggested breaking into the trunk.
That's a lie, Collins shouted, slamming his hand on the table. He's a liar. Then prove it. Give me the linchpin. Collins wiped his nose on his sleeve, his resolve finally breaking.
Captain Hayes keeps a ledger. He doesn't trust computers because he knows they can be subpoenaed and traced. It's a physical book, a blue leather-bound moleskin notebook. It has every stop, every dollar amount seized, and the percentage payoff for every officer involved. David's eyes narrowed.
This was the holy grail of the investigation. Where is it? Hayes is a golf fanatic, Collins whispered. He keeps a set of Callaway clubs in the closet of his precinct office. The ledger is zipped into the bottom shoe compartment of the golf bag.
He thinks it's hilarious to hide it in plain sight. David stood up immediately. He walked to the door, opened it slightly, and caught the eye of Agent Lawson, who was standing in the hallway. Richard, have the forensic team at Oakridge check the captain's office. There's a golf bag in the closet.