"No, sir. It was a forgery. I didn't see the need. You didn't read it, David stated. No, sir.
David stood up slowly. He picked up the plastic bag, walking around the desk until he was standing directly over Officer Jenkins. He held the bag up to the officer's face. "Read it now," David commanded. Jenkins stared at the cracked plastic.
His eyes scanned the small pixelated photo, then dropped to the text below it. A Thomas Hayes. Jenkins's breath hitched in his throat, his eyes widened, darting frantically from the name on the card to the mayor's face. The physical resemblance masked by age, and the grime of physical labor, suddenly screamed at him. The broad shoulders, the shape of the jaw, Hayes.
Mr. Mayor," Jenkins whispered, all the blood draining from his face, leaving him the color of old parchment. "Read the name out loud, officer," David demanded, his voice echoing off the mahogany walls like thunder. Jenkins opened his mouth, but no sound came out, his chest seized in panic. "I said read it," David roared.
Thomas Hayes, Jenkins stammered, shrinking back into the leather chair. The A stands for Henry, David said, stepping closer, his presence entirely consuming the space. Henry Hayes. The man you cornered in my hallway. The man you assumed was a thief because of the color of his skin and the uniform on his back. the man you physically assaulted, whose blood is currently dried on this plastic. " David leaned in, his face inches from the terrified cop.
"That man is my older brother, and he is the only reason I am sitting behind this desk today. " A deafening silence crashed through the room. Tom Gallagher dropped his pen. It clattered loudly against the hardwood floor. The union rep stared at the badge, then at the mayor. absolute horror washing over his features. He realized instantly that this wasn't a disciplinary hearing.
This was an execution. Chief Henderson closed his eyes and let out a long, slow breath. He knew Jenkins was a liability. But this was a catastrophe of astronomical proportions. "Mr.
Mayor, I I didn't know. " Jenkins gasped, his voice high and ready, a pathetic whine. I swear to God, I had no idea he was related to you. He didn't say anything. If he had just told me. If he had told you who he was, you would have treated him with respect," David interrupted, his voice laced with absolute disgust.
"Is that your defense, Jenkins? that you only brutally assault the citizens who don't have powerful relatives. No, that's not what I meant. " Jenkins raised his hands defensively, his swagger entirely evaporated, replaced by the panicked flailing of a cornered coward. "He was acting aggressively. "You have to believe me, he lunged at me," David scoffed, a bitter, humorless sound. He turned on his heel and walked back behind his desk.
He tapped a button on his keyboard. A massive flat screen monitor mounted on the wall flickered to life, displaying crisp high-definition black and white security footage from the third floor corridor. Jenkins's stomach plummeted into an abyss. He hadn't realized the new administration had upgraded the third floor cameras. The video played in brutal silence.
It showed Henry quietly dusting the wainscoting. It showed Jenkins storming off the elevator, aggressive and agitated. It clearly showed Henry keeping his distance, his hands visible and non-threatening. It showed Henry calmly reaching for his pocket to present his badge. And then, in stark, undeniable high definition, it showed Jenkins violently slapping Henry's hand away.
It showed Jenkins grabbing the older man by the collar, shaking him and shoving him roughly down the hallway. David paused the video right on Jenkins's twisted, aggressive face. "At what point in this video did he lunge at you, officer? " David asked, his voice dripping with venom. "At what point did he reach for your weapon? " "Because what I see is an unprovoked, racially motivated assault on an elderly, compliant city employee. I see an officer manufacturing a false narrative to cover-up his own violent bigotry.
"Mr. Mayor, please let's step back for a second," Gallagher interjected, standing up, holding his hands out in a desperate plea for diplomacy. "This is clearly a massive misunderstanding. The Union is willing to accept an immediate voluntary resignation from Officer Jenkins. He'll turn in his badge today.
No pension, no fight. We can handle this quietly. Keep it out of the press. Sit down, Mr. Gallagher.
David snapped, his eyes flashing with a righteous fury. Before I have you investigated for aiding in the cover-up of a felony assault. This isn't a negotiation. David turned his piercing gaze to the chief of police. Chief Henderson, David said firmly.
I have just presented you with undeniable video evidence of an officer committing aggravated assault. Furthermore, you hold in your hands a filed police report that is entirely fabricated, constituting perjury and filing a false instrument. What is the protocol? Chief Henderson stepped forward. He didn't look at Gallagher, and he certainly didn't look at Jenkins with an ounce of pity.
Protocol dictates immediate termination of employment, Mr. Mayor, Henderson said, his voice grave, followed by a custodial arrest. Jenkins scrambled to his feet, panic completely overtaking him. No, wait, chief. You can't do this.
I'm a decorated officer. My father was a deputy chief. You can't let him ruin my life over a janitor. He's not just a janitor, Jenkins, Henderson said coldly, pulling a pair of heavy steel handcuffs from the back of his belt. He's a citizen of this city, one you swore to protect.
Turn around, Officer Jenkins, Henderson commanded. Jenkins looked at Gallagher for help, but the Union rep was staring at the floor, actively distancing himself from the blast radius of Jenkins's destroyed career. Jenkins slowly, numbly turned around, putting his hands behind his back. The sharp metallic ratcheting of the handcuffs echoing in the cavernous office was the sweetest sound David Hayes had heard all day. "Bradley Jenkins, you are under arrest for aggravated assault, filing a false police report and official misconduct," Chief Henderson recited, gripping Jenkins firmly by the bicep.