Everything appeared to be inside that device. Travis noticed the concern on her face and smiled. I knew it. You've got something to hide. He handed the phone to Dylan.
See what's on it. Dylan unlocked the screen. His expression changed almost immediately. This is weird. What?
There isn't much here. No contacts. Almost no photos. Only a few ordinary applications. Ryan frowned.
That's it? Nia remained perfectly still. Because that phone was never meant to hold evidence. It was a decoy. Every important file had already been transmitted through the encrypted application the instant Ryan first reached for her.
Unfortunately, Travis wasn't ready to give up. He looked from the nearly empty phone, Tonya, then toward her old gray sedan. A slow smile spread across his face. If the phone's clean, he pointed directly at the car. Let's search the vehicle.
Nia's heartbeat remained steady. But for the first time since arriving in Red Creek, she knew the situation was spiraling far faster than anyone at FBI headquarters had anticipated. The smile on Sergeant Travis Cole's face widened as he pointed toward the aging gray sedan. Search the vehicle. Officer Ryan Mercer cracked his knuckles.
Finally. Nia Brooks stepped forward just enough to stand between the officers and her car. I do not consent to any search. Travis chuckled. Good thing we weren't asking.
Several people standing near the convenience store exchanged nervous glances. They all knew what those words usually meant. Linda Foster quietly locked the front door of her store. Not to keep customers out. To keep trouble from coming in.
Across the street, Marcus Hill hugged his battered backpack against his chest. He wanted to help, but every bruise on his body reminded him exactly how powerless one person could feel against five armed officers. Kevin Ross shifted uncomfortably. "Sergeant." Travis didn't even look at him.
"What now? We still don't have probable cause." Ryan rolled his eyes. "There he goes again." Travis slowly turned toward Kevin.
"Tell me something." Kevin swallowed. "Yes, sir." "Who wears the badge around here?" Kevin hesitated.
"You do." "Exactly." The answer hung over the street like a warning. No one questioned Travis Cole, not if they wanted to keep wearing a uniform. Without another word, Ryan walked toward the sedan and pulled on the driver's side door handle.
Locked. Dylan Hayes leaned through the window. "Can't see much." Eric Nolan smirked. "Break the glass."
Nia's voice remained steady. "If you damage my property without legal authority, every one of you will answer for it." Ryan laughed. "You really think anyone's going to believe you over five officers?" A few people lowered their eyes.
That sentence carried an uncomfortable truth. For years, it had been exactly that simple. Five reports always outweighed one voice, unless someone had proof. Unknown to every officer standing there, proof was already traveling through encrypted federal servers hundreds of miles away. At FBI Atlanta Field Office, Supervisory Special Agent Daniel Carter stared at a bank of computer monitors inside the Joint Operations Center.
One screen suddenly flashed yellow. "Live secure transmission activated." Daniel straightened immediately. "Vanessa." Special Agent Vanessa Reed rolled her chair across the room.
"What do we have?" Daniel enlarged the incoming feed. The video showed shaky pavement for a moment before stabilizing. Then five familiar uniforms filled the screen. Vanessa's expression darkened.
They found her. "No." Daniel watched carefully. She let them find her. The room fell silent.
Analysts stopped typing. Every eye fixed on the live video. Daniel checked the encrypted metadata. The emergency upload triggered automatically, which means Nia believes she's about to lose physical control of the device. Vanessa reached for her headset.
Should we move now? Daniel didn't answer immediately. Instead, he watched Travis pointing toward the sedan. He had spent nearly 8 months building this case. One careless decision could allow dozens of corrupt officials to escape prosecution.
But waiting too long could leave one of his agents alone. Back in Red Creek, Travis folded his arms. You've got one last chance. Open the car. No.
Ryan stepped closer. You really don't know when to quit. Nia looked directly at him. I know exactly when not to surrender my rights. That answer irritated Travis even more.
He glanced toward Dylan. Find something. Dylan understood immediately. He walked casually around the car pretending to inspect the tires. Then, with his back turned toward the growing crowd, he quietly reached into his own patrol bag.
Nia noticed the movement. So did Kevin Ross. Kevin's eyes widened. No. Dylan slipped a small plastic packet into his palm.
White powder. He moved toward the rear passenger door. Kevin grabbed his wrist. What are you doing? Dylan jerked free.
Mind your business. I saw that. Saw what? You just Travis interrupted sharply. Kevin.
Every head turned. You've got something to say? Kevin looked at Dylan, then at the crowd, then back at Travis. For several painful seconds, no one spoke. Finally, Kevin lowered his head.
No, sergeant. Nia understood exactly what had happened. Someone had almost planted evidence. Almost. Travis gave Kevin a long, disappointed look.
You'll learn. Ryan suddenly slammed his flashlight against the driver's side window. The loud crack made several bystanders jump. The glass held. For an old car, Ryan muttered, it's tougher than it looks.
Marcus couldn't stay silent any longer. She didn't do anything. Eric immediately grabbed him by the jacket. You again? Marcus struggled to keep his balance.
Leave her alone. Ryan pointed at Marcus. Looks like we found ourselves another charge. Fear spread across the faces of the people watching. An elderly veteran quietly raised his phone to record.
Eric noticed. What are you doing? The man lowered it instantly. And, nothing. He walked away without another word.
One witness gone. Then another. Within a minute, nearly half the crowd had disappeared. Only Linda Foster remained inside her locked store, secretly recording everything through a narrow gap in the blinds. She whispered to herself, please, let someone stop this.
Inside FBI headquarters, another analyst suddenly spoke. Sid. Daniel looked over. We've identified every officer on scene. Good.