Danner standing rigid beside his patrol car.
Hollis’s eyes lingered on the credentials.
“Report.”
Mercer straightened.
“Possible narcotics courier. Vehicle matched intelligence. Subject was evasive and uncooperative. Search revealed suspicious secured compartment.”
Marcus almost smiled.
Hollis looked at him.
“Name?”
“Marcus Vance.”
“Occupation?”
“Special Agent, Federal Bureau of Investigation.”
Hollis looked at Mercer.
“Credentials?”
Mercer handed them over.
Hollis examined the case carefully.
Thirty seconds.
Maybe forty.
He closed it.
“These are authentic.”
Danner exhaled.
Marcus waited.
Hollis looked toward the cuffs.
“Take them off.”
Mercer hesitated.
“Lieutenant—”
“Now.”
Mercer removed the restraints.
The steel left deep red impressions around Marcus’s wrists.
Marcus worked his fingers slowly.
Hollis handed back the credentials.
“Agent Vance, I apologize.”
Marcus took the case.
“For which part?”
Hollis glanced toward Mercer.
“Could we speak privately?”
They walked several yards away.
Marcus expected Hollis to ask questions.
Instead, the lieutenant lowered his voice.
“Look, I understand you’re angry.”
Marcus looked at the ruined SUV.
“That would be one description.”
“This appears to have started with bad information.”