"None. She became angry when we asked for proof. She told Officer Mercer to search the chief immediately."
Gordon shifted uncomfortably. Several committee members glanced at him with obvious disapproval.
Rodriguez consulted her notes. "The department has an informal system for prioritizing certain donors' calls."
Williams nodded grimly. "Mrs. Vale's name was flagged for expedited response. Several officers were instructed to treat her complaints as high priority regardless of merit."
"That system has been abolished," Darius said calmly. "All citizens receive equal police service now."
Wright smiled approvingly. "Chief, it appears you handled an inappropriate situation professionally and then took steps to prevent future abuse."
Hayes looked around the table. "Unless there are objections, I'm prepared to recommend full exoneration and commendation for Chief Holloway's conduct."
Lenora's attorney stood abruptly. "Chairman Hayes, we have additional evidence that changes everything."
Brennan activated his own laptop. "Mrs. Vale recorded this interaction on her cell phone. It shows Chief Holloway using his badge to threaten retaliation."
The video began playing. Thirty seconds of Darius holding his badge, standing close to Lenora, saying, "You need to understand what you just did."
The room fell silent. Two committee members who had seemed ready to support Darius suddenly looked uncertain.
Hayes cleared his throat. "This requires further investigation. We'll reconvene next week for a full independent hearing."
The suspension order arrived at Darius's desk like a death sentence wrapped in official letterhead. City Manager Patricia Hayes had signed it personally, effective immediately upon receipt.
Darius read the formal language twice, his jaw tightening with each bureaucratic phrase about administrative leave pending investigation and temporary reassignment of operational duties. Thirty-two years in law enforcement. Six days as chief.
Deputy Chief Williams knocked and entered without waiting for permission. "Sir, I'm sorry. The order came down from Hayes directly."
Darius set the paper aside. "Who's taking over?"
"Captain Morrison on an interim basis. He's already been briefed." Williams sat heavily in the chair across from Darius's desk. "This is garbage, Chief. Everyone knows it."
"Evidence doesn't care what everyone knows," Darius replied. "It only matters what can be proven."
His desk phone rang. Williams answered and spoke quietly before hanging up. "That was Officer Mercer. He wants to speak with you before you leave."
Mercer appeared in the doorway five minutes later, his uniform wrinkled and his face pale. He entered slowly, closing the door behind him.
"Chief, I need to tell you something."
Darius gestured to a chair. "Sit."
"The investigators called me this morning. They're reviewing my original report from your driveway. They want to know why I was ready to detain you before checking vehicle registration." Mercer's hands shook slightly. "I wrote it up clean, sir. Made it sound routine, but Ruiz's body camera shows everything."
"What exactly are you asking me?"
"If I testify honestly about Mrs. Vale's demands and my response, it could end my career. Twenty years on the force, Chief. My pension. My family's health insurance."
Mercer leaned forward desperately. "But if I stick with my original statement, maybe this whole thing goes away quietly."