Underhill slid a second packet across the desk. This one was an internal complaint filed by Copeland, alleging that Monica had publicly threatened retaliation during the seven o'clock briefing. It was signed by Copeland and supported by Fowler's statement and two brief witness accounts whose wording was conspicuously similar. Monica read it through without interrupting and then recited precisely what she had said. Underhill acknowledged that four people had independently told him the same version of her remarks.
"I believe you, Monica," he said, and the exhaustion in his voice made her look up. "But a member of your task force has filed a formal complaint, and the county has referred a potential felony charge against you. You know our policy about commanders who become subjects of related proceedings." Monica nodded because she knew it better than most. In Nebraska, she had helped revise the very policy that required an officer to step back from supervisory duties when the officer's own case could compromise an investigation.
She recited the relevant language almost word for word. Underhill gave a tired half smile and said that he remembered who had helped write it. Monica unclipped her badge and placed it on the desk, then added the leather credentials wallet beside it. It was a small movement, but she felt as though she had set down something much heavier than metal and leather. She asked whether Copeland would remain on federal special deputation, considering the allegations against him.
Underhill said that withdrawing Copeland's federal authority immediately might be interpreted as a retaliatory act directed by the very commander who had been detained. The evidence had not yet been reviewed independently, and any hasty decision could compromise later disciplinary proceedings. "For now, he remains assigned while the complaints are assessed," he said.
"You go to administrative duty. We let the process work." Monica studied him and answered, "The process won't read the documents by itself, sir. Somebody still has to do that."
At the door, she stopped and asked who had transmitted the county referral so quickly. Underhill checked the first page and read the forwarding line: Captain Lloyd Beexley, Silver Pines Police Department, task force liaison. Monica thanked him and stepped out into the corridor, where Beexley happened to be walking toward her with a coffee cup. He offered a smooth expression of sympathy and called her "Deputy" rather than by the supervisory title he had used earlier. She asked whether he had obtained the electronic logs from her car, as she had requested on Saturday.
"The county has that vehicle as evidence," he replied. "You should ask the county." She reminded him that he had personally ordered it towed and that preserving the logs was time-sensitive.
He lifted his coffee cup in a gesture that might have passed for friendliness if not for the look in his eyes. "You know how procedures work, Deputy. I hear you helped write some of them." Monica asked who had told him that, and he smiled before walking away.