His captain, his department. They're all friends. Nobody would believe me over a police officer.
Danielle understood completely. Voss had weaponized the very system designed to protect civilians. Leah couldn't complain about police intimidation because the people who would investigate were the same people doing the intimidating.
How many times has Voss threatened you since February? He doesn't have to anymore. He just looks at me when he comes in.
I know what it means. Heavy footsteps approached from behind. Shaw's reflection appeared in the window glass as he pushed through the station entrance, his officers flanking him.
"Agent Cross," Shaw called out sharply. "Step away from the counter." Danielle didn't move. We're having a conversation.
You're pressuring a civilian witness without proper authority. Shaw moved closer, his hand resting on his radio. This interrogation stops now.
It's not an interrogation, Captain. Ms. Grant is free to speak or not speak as she chooses.
Shaw's jaw tightened. She's clearly intimidated by your presence. You're exploiting her fear to gather information that may not be accurate.
The only person who's intimidated her is Officer Voss, Danielle replied calmly. And you know it. Shaw's face flushed red.
That's a serious accusation. It's a fact, Leah interrupted suddenly. Both Danielle and Shaw turned toward her.
Leah's hands had stopped trembling. Her voice was steady now, carrying months of suppressed anger. Agent Cross isn't intimidating me, Captain Shaw.
She's the first person who's ever asked what I actually saw instead of telling me what I better not see. Shaw stepped forward aggressively. Ms.
Grant, you need to be very careful about making statements you can't prove. I can prove them, Leah said, looking directly at Shaw for the first time. Her fear was transforming into something harder, more defiant.
The security recorder you keep asking about, the one mounted above the office door that everyone can see. Shaw nodded slowly, uncertainty creeping into his expression. That's not the only camera system in this station.
Shaw's expression shifted from confusion to alarm. What backup camera? Leah moved toward the back wall behind the counter where a small shelf held office supplies and cleaning products.
After officer Voss made his threat, I couldn't sleep. I kept thinking about what would happen if something went wrong here at night, and nobody came to help me. Ms.
Grant, Shaw said sharply, don't touch anything until we've established proper jurisdiction. Captain Shaw, General Thorne's voice cut through the station like a blade. The general had entered silently, his presence filling the small space.