Mitchell stood beside the door.
"Daniel, I need the truth."
Brooks rubbed his hands together.
"I've already told you what happened."
"No. You've told me what you wanted us to believe."
"I was following instructions."
The room became silent.
Olivia leaned forward.
"Whose instructions?"
Brooks looked at the captain.
Then he looked at the floor.
"Deputy Chief Harlan."
Mitchell's jaw tightened.
"What exactly did he tell you?"
Brooks swallowed.
"He called me personally this afternoon. He said a woman connected to the federal investigation would be visiting the nightclub. He told me to approach her, create a reason to detain her, and make sure she understood that the department wasn't going to tolerate interference."
Olivia remained perfectly still.
"Did he give you a specific charge?"
"No."
"Did he provide evidence of a crime?"
"No."
"Did he tell you to arrest me?"
Brooks hesitated.
"He said to bring you to the station if possible."
"Why?"
"He wanted to speak with you."
Olivia exchanged a glance with Mitchell.
"Did he say why?"
Brooks shook his head.
"Not exactly."
"Try again."
The officer finally looked up.
"He said there were things about your investigation that you didn't understand. He said if you kept asking questions, people could get hurt."
Olivia's expression hardened.
"Did he threaten me?"
"I don't know."
"Did you believe he was threatening me?"
Brooks didn't answer.
Captain Mitchell stepped closer.
"Daniel, you have one opportunity to tell the truth. If you participated in an attempt to intimidate a federal prosecutor, you need to understand the seriousness of what you've done."
Brooks suddenly became emotional.
"I didn't know it would turn into this."
Olivia studied him.
"You didn't know what would happen when you put your hands on me?"
"No."
"You didn't know what would happen when you tried to force me into a police vehicle?"
"I was following orders."
"That's not an answer."
Brooks lowered his head.
Olivia stood.
"Officer Brooks, you made several decisions tonight. You chose not to explain your authority. You chose to threaten me. You chose to use physical force. And when witnesses questioned your conduct, you attempted to silence them."
She paused.
"You cannot erase those decisions by blaming someone who wasn't standing beside you."
Brooks looked up.
"Are you going to have me arrested?"
"That decision will depend on the evidence, the applicable law, and the findings of the investigation. I will not promise you anything."
He nodded slowly.
Olivia gathered her belongings.
"But I will tell you this. If you cooperate honestly, provide every relevant communication, and identify everyone involved, that information will be considered through the proper legal process."
Brooks looked toward the captain.
"Can I speak to someone?"
"An attorney," Olivia replied. "You should request one before answering further questions."
For the first time that evening, Brooks seemed to understand the consequences of what he had done.
At 11:47 p.m., Olivia left the nightclub through a side entrance.
A black sedan waited outside.
Inside sat Special Agent Thomas Walker, a federal investigator who had worked with her on several previous cases.
He opened the passenger door.
"Quite a night?"
Olivia gave him a tired look.
"You have no idea."
Walker noticed the mark around her wrist.
"Did they hurt you?"
"Nothing serious."
"Who was responsible?"
"Daniel Brooks. But he wasn't acting alone."
Walker started the engine.
"Let me guess. Harlan?"
Olivia looked out the window.
"Brooks admitted that Harlan instructed him to find me."
Walker became quiet.
Then he reached into the center console and handed her a folder.
"There's something you need to see."
Olivia opened it.
Inside were photographs of a parking garage, a series of financial transfers, and a picture of Deputy Chief Harlan meeting with an unfamiliar man.
"Who is this?"
"Victor Kane. He owns several security companies and has contracts with the city."
"Why is Harlan meeting him?"
"That's what we've been trying to determine."
Olivia studied the photograph.
"Where was this taken?"
"Outside the municipal building. Three days ago."
She turned another page.
There was a handwritten note attached to the back.
PROJECT NIGHTFALL — FINAL PAYMENT AUTHORIZED.
Olivia stared at the words.
"Nightfall?"
Walker nodded.
"We found the same phrase in an encrypted message recovered from a phone belonging to one of Harlan's former assistants."
"What's the payment?"
"We don't know yet."
"How much?"
Walker hesitated.
"Two million dollars."
Olivia closed the folder.
"Two million dollars for what?"
"Possibly for information. Possibly for someone to disappear."
The car continued through the empty streets.
Outside, the city appeared peaceful. Traffic lights changed above deserted intersections, and the neon signs of late-night restaurants reflected across the wet pavement.