Reddick’s mouth tightened.
“We were conducting a lawful stop.”
Nora nodded toward an investigator carrying a camera.
“Do not reach into that pocket.”
Reddick’s hand stopped halfway there.
“What exactly is this?”
Nora turned toward him.
“Sergeant Mason Reddick?”
“Yes.”
“Badge four-one-two?”
“Yes.”
“Keep your hands visible while we document the scene.”
His face darkened.
“You’re treating me like a suspect.”
Nora did not answer.
That was the first thing Reddick could not control.
Everett stood nearby while investigators photographed the outline of the money inside Reddick’s pocket, his badge, Everett’s wallet, the Buick, the cruisers, and each officer’s location. Then they recovered the six bills one at a time under camera. Every serial number matched.
Reddick changed explanations.
First the money had been confiscated.
Then he said he intended to document it once he returned to the cruiser.
Then he claimed the stop was not finished.
Everett reminded him that he had already been told to leave.
Reddick shook his head.
“I said drive safely.”
“That usually means goodbye.”
“Not officially.”
Nora looked toward Everett’s collar.
“Recording?”
Everett removed the button-sized device.
Reddick’s face changed again.
He had spent the entire time watching the radio.
He had never seen the camera.
Nora played the last section through a secured device.
Reddick’s voice came clearly.
Your word against four sworn officers.
Then another line.
Remember all you want. Won’t make anybody believe you.
Reddick stared at the ground.
Luis Avery looked toward the highway.
Colin Mercer said nothing.
Caleb Warren looked physically ill.
Nora turned toward her team.
“Preserve every body camera, dash system, vehicle computer, radio log, GPS record, and dispatch entry connected to these four officers today.”
Reddick crossed his arms.
“This is one traffic stop.”
Nora looked at him.
“No.”
The single word changed the scene.
Reddick narrowed his eyes.
“What does that mean?”
Nora held his gaze.
“This is complaint eighteen.”
For the first time, even Everett looked surprised.
The task force had found four more since he volunteered.
Eighteen drivers.
Cash.
Jewelry.
Phones.
Property allegedly disappearing during roadside stops.
No matching evidence reports.
Few tickets.
Almost no arrests.
Repeated camera problems.
The highway did not suddenly feel empty anymore.
It felt crowded with everyone who had driven away believing nobody cared.
Three Stops That Morning
An investigator approached Nora with a tablet.
“Reddick’s unit made three contacts before Lawson.”
Nora asked how they ended.
“No citations.”
“Warnings?”
“Nothing logged.”
“Arrests?”
“No.”
“Body cameras?”
The investigator looked at the screen.