"Open the gate." A voice amplified by a loudspeaker boomed from outside the sally port. "This is the FBI. Open the gate immediately or we will breach." Sergeant Frank fumbled for the button.
He hit it. The heavy metal door rolled up. The sunlight that flooded in was blinding, but the silhouettes standing in it were terrifying. Six men in full tactical gear carrying AR-15s moved in a phalanx. On their chests, bold yellow letters, FBI.
Behind them walked a woman in a sharp gray suit flanked by two state troopers. This was Assistant Director Margaret Hale. She looked like she ate nails for breakfast. "Secure the room!" the lead tactical officer shouted. The team swept in.
"Hands! Let me see hands!" Every officer in the Pine Creek station, Garrick, Riley, Tara, Frank, put their hands up, even Bryce. The tactical team moved with fluid precision. They bypassed the locals and went straight to Kendrick and Serena.
"Sir, ma'am, are you injured?" the lead agent asked, lowering his weapon but keeping his eyes scanning the room. "We're fine, Agent Rostova," Kendrick said, standing up and brushing the dust off his trousers. "Situation is contained." Assistant Director Hale walked into the room. She surveyed the scene with a look of absolute disgust.
She locked eyes with Chief Garrick. "Who is in charge here?" she demanded. "I I am." Garrick stammered. "Chief Wade Garrick."
"Chief Garrick." Hale said stepping into his personal space. "You are relieved of command effective immediately. The Alabama State Bureau of Investigation is taking over this precinct. This is now a federal crime scene."
"On what grounds?" Garrick tried to muster some authority. "On the grounds that your department is running a protection racket for Langley's personal injury law firm and kickbacks to local law enforcement." Kendrick interrupted. "We have the wiretaps, Wade.
We have the bank records. We know about the kickbacks. We know about the planted evidence." Kendrick turned his gaze to Bryce. "And we know about Officer Callahan's enforcement techniques."
Hale turned to look at Bryce. "Is this the one?" "That's him." Serena said standing up. She pointed a manicured finger at Bryce.
"Officer Bryce Callahan. He initiated the stop without probable cause, assaulted a federal officer, filed a false report, attempted to conduct an illegal strip search, and brandished a taser against detained suspects." Hale nodded. She gestured to the tactical team. "Cuff him."
Two agents grabbed Bryce. They didn't do it gently. They kicked his legs apart and slammed him against the wall, mirroring exactly what he had done to Kendrick earlier. "Hey, watch the shoulder." Bryce yelped.
"You have the right to remain silent." Agent Rostova recited, tightening the zip ties until they bit into Bryce's wrists. "Anything you say can and will be used against you in a federal court of law." "This is a mistake." Bryce shouted as they hauled him toward the door.
"I was just doing my job. They looked suspicious. It was a good stop." Kendrick walked over to Bryce as he was being dragged out. He leaned in close.
"You wanted to find drugs in my car, "Bryce?" Kendrick asked softly. "You wanted to be a hero?" "Well, you're going to be famous. You're going to be the face of police corruption in the state of Alabama."