Brooks handed him the written determination.
Marcus read every line.
Then placed it carefully inside a folder.
“You’re keeping that?”
“Yes.”
“Why?”
Marcus looked at her.
“Paper can be a witness.”
Brooks smiled.
“You stole that from Wilson.”
“I learned it from Wilson.”
The city compensated the federal government for the destroyed SUV and damaged equipment.
Marcus received reimbursement for his personal property.
The process took months.
Forms.
Estimates.
Receipts.
Statements.
Nothing about it felt satisfying.
His original SUV could have been repaired, but the Bureau retired it from service because too much structural interior equipment had been damaged.
A replacement vehicle arrived.
Same model.
Same federal communications package.
Same dark paint.
Marcus walked around it before accepting the keys.
The motor-pool technician watched.
“Looking for something?”
“Damage.”
“It’s new.”
Marcus nodded.
“Still looking.”
The technician smiled.
“Fair enough.”
He opened the driver’s door.
The interior smelled untouched.
No torn panels.
No paperwork scattered across asphalt.
No handcuffs.
For a moment, the new SUV made him remember the old one too clearly.
Brooks stood several feet away.
“You good?”