The following day, Ward returned to discuss transfer of the evidence materials, accompanied by Officer Moreno. Malik invited them onto the porch and was about to bring coffee outside when he noticed a familiar patrol car parked across the street. The vehicle sat motionless near an empty section of curb, its driver facing the house. It should not have been there: Halbrook had been removed from operational command and directed not to contact witnesses about the incident.
"He's been sitting there for twenty minutes," Moreno said quietly. "I saw the car when we turned onto Elmwood."
The driver's door opened. Halbrook stepped out in full uniform, shut it with unnecessary force, and started across the street. His shoulders were rigid, his face tight with anger, and he made no effort to disguise the fact that he was approaching Malik's home. Malik stepped down to the driveway with Ward and Moreno remaining within sight, keeping enough distance to avoid turning the meeting into a physical contest.
"Lieutenant, you're not here on an assigned call," Malik said. "You need to leave the property."
Halbrook gave a bitter laugh. "Funny how quickly you learned to issue orders."
"I am not ordering you as your supervisor. I'm asking you as the homeowner to leave a place where you're not invited."
"You've been digging through my career. Phone records, applications, donor lists. You think I don't know what you're trying to do?"
Ward moved toward the edge of the porch. "Those records are part of an independent review, Lieutenant. You have been instructed not to contact the people involved. Return to your vehicle and leave."
Halbrook ignored her and took another step toward Malik. "You took my job. I gave years to this city, and they brought in an outsider who thinks he understands my department because he read a few complaints."
"The council made its decision," Malik said. "I didn't appoint myself."
"You planned it. You knew Vivien lived here. You bought this house to make me look bad."
The accusation was so unreasonable that Malik almost answered with disbelief. Instead, he watched the lieutenant's hands and kept his own visible at his sides. "I chose this property because it was available and suited my needs. You created the incident on the driveway. You are creating another one now."
"You think being chief makes you untouchable?" Halbrook asked, closing the distance until they stood only a few feet apart. "We'll see how long that title protects you when the city finds out what kind of man you really are."
"Step back from him," Moreno said, descending one porch step. "Lieutenant, there's no reason to approach any closer."
Halbrook glanced at her with open contempt. "You chose your side, Tessa. Don't pretend otherwise."
"I'm asking you to stop threatening someone on his property."
He turned back toward Malik, his mouth twisting into a sneer. "Come on, Chief. Say something threatening. Give me a reason to show everyone what you're hiding behind that calm voice."
"I'm asking you to leave," Malik replied. "That's all."