He paused letting the implication hang in the air otherwise with your prior record you're looking at 15 years minimum prior record darius's voice carried genuine surprise I don't have. A prior record no Clayton made a show of checking a file he'd brought with him that's interesting because I'm looking at quite a rrap sheet here multiple arrests for drug. Possession across three states seems like you've been a busy man Mr Carter Darius felt the chill run down his spine. They weren't just planting physical evidence they were fabricating entire criminal histories this was far more sophisticated than simple racial profiling. The cell next to his a man stirred in the shadows darus hadn't noticed him before the man's face was bruised.
His business clothes wrinkled and dirty their eyes met briefly and the man whispered they framed me too 3 days ago don't trust any of them quiet in there. Jackson Reynolds barked shooting a warning glare at the other cell Clayton stood straightening his tie I'll give you some time to think about your options Mr Carter but don't. Take too long my offer won't stay on the table forever as Clayton and Reynolds walked away their voices carried. Back down the corridor think he'll break they all do eventually left alone again Darius processed what he'd learned the fabricated criminal record. The coordinated pressure the other prisoner with a similar story this wasn't just corruption it was an organized operation hours passed.
The station's activity continued around him officers coming and going paperwork being filed phones ringing in distant offices through it all. Darius observed and listened building a mental map of the station's operations a young officer barely out of the academy by the look of him approached with a cup of water. His name plate read officer Peters unlike the others his expression held a hint of uncertainty here Peter said quietly passing. The cup through the bars you should drink something thank you Darius replied studying the young mank face how long have you been on the Force. Officer Peters Peters glanced nervously over his shoulder 3 months and how many arrests like mine have you seen in those.
Three months the young officer's discomfort was visible I'm not supposed to talk to the prisoners because you might start questioning things. Darius pressed gently start wondering why so many out of town businessmen suddenly turn into drug dealers when they pass. Through Mill Creek I said I can't talk talk about it Peters repeated but his voice wavered he turned quickly and walked away. His footsteps hurried through the high window Darius could see the sky beginning to lighten he'd been here all night denied. His phone call denied basic rights but each hour had given him more insight into the corruption surrounding him the station grew busier.