Professional.
“Special Agent Adrian Brooks, operational ID 3916.”
Sloan stopped smiling.
Adrian continued.
“Cover compromised at Patterson Park. Corrupt subject Sloan has made physical contact with my child and is threatening family separation.”
Price looked toward Sloan.
Malone’s face went pale.
Adrian’s eyes never left her.
“Request immediate federal response.”
Sloan released Elijah.
The boy ran into Renee’s arms.
“You’re lying,” Sloan said.
Adrian ended the call.
Then he bent down.
He picked up the credential case.
Chocolate frosting covered the edge.
He wiped it against his torn jeans and held the badge where everyone could see.
“Special Agent Adrian Brooks.”
Silence.
“Federal Bureau of Investigation.”
Price stared.
Malone looked toward the park entrance.
Sloan shook her head.
“No.”
Adrian closed the credentials.
“For eight months, my team has been investigating your unit.”
Her face changed.
“No.”
“Drug protection.”
Adrian took one step toward her.
“Extortion.”
Another.
“Fabricated arrests.”
Sloan stepped backward.
“Civil-rights violations.”
Price whispered, “Lieutenant?”
Adrian looked at him.
“Officer Daniel Price.”
Price froze.
“Three illegal cash seizures documented in the last six months.”
Then Malone.
“Officer Eric Malone.”
Malone swallowed.
“Recorded discussing false probable-cause narratives on four separate occasions.”
Sloan’s face drained.
“You don’t know what you’re talking about.”
Adrian looked at her.
“I know about Harbor Street.”
She froze.
“I know about Victor Darnell.”
Her mouth opened.
“I know about the monthly payments.”
Price stared at her.
Sloan said, “Shut up.”
Adrian continued.
“I know which officers warned dealers before narcotics raids.”
Sirens approached.
Different sirens this time.
Sloan looked toward the road.
Adrian said, “Those are not yours.”
Black SUVs entered the park.
Then another.
Federal agents stepped out.
Supervisory Special Agent Monica Reed led them toward the pavilion.
“FBI!” someone shouted. “Hands visible!”
The community backed away.
Sloan stood motionless.
Reed approached Adrian.
“Agent Brooks.”
The name landed like a final blow.
“Status?”
Adrian looked toward Sloan.
“Primary subject compromised operation and committed additional violations in front of approximately thirty witnesses.”
Reed nodded.
“Your family?”
“Safe.”
Renee held Elijah close.
He stared at his father with enormous eyes.
Reed turned toward Sloan.
“Lieutenant Margaret Sloan, place your hands behind your back.”
Sloan stared.
“This is insane.”
“Hands behind your back.”
“You cannot arrest me because this man lied about who he was.”
“Undercover federal investigations are lawful.”
Sloan pointed at Adrian.
“He entrapped us.”
Adrian shook his head.
“I didn’t ask you to destroy my son’s cake.”
No one spoke.
“I didn’t ask you to search people without cause.”