Suddenly, the radio inside Travis’s parked cruiser crackled to life with a high-priority dispatch signal. A deep, authoritative voice boomed through the open driver's side window.
“Unit 14-B, Boon, come in. Why are there black Suburbans parked across the North Plaza? Report status immediately. Do not interact with anyone until I arrive. I am two blocks out.”
It was Chief Richard Sterling—head of the 14th Police District.
General Monroe looked at his daughter, a grim smile playing on his lips. "It seems your target is delivering himself directly to us."
The General turned to his tactical team leader. "Hide the vehicles behind the maintenance shed. Set the trap. Let Chief Sterling walk right into his own crime scene."
Within ninety seconds, the three massive armored Suburbans cleared the main walkway, slipping silently behind the tall oak trees and utility buildings lining the park’s edge. The federal agents melted into the surrounding foliage and shadows with practiced invisibility, their weapons concealed beneath long coats.
Only a few elements remained visible in the center of the plaza: Officer Melissa Crane standing near the brass fountain, Officer Travis Boon sitting handcuffed behind his own patrol car out of sight, and Zariah Monroe sitting back down on her third bench from the water, holding her leather notebook and a fresh paper cup of coffee that Leonard had nervously brought over to her.