He wore old jeans, a faded navy shirt, and his gray baseball cap.
Nothing about him suggested police command.
His badge remained locked away.
A camera recorded the driveway.
Another recorded the street.
Holt's team monitored everything from a nearby location.
Sterling waited.
At exactly three twenty-seven, Hadley appeared.
Bryson followed.
Hadley carried a document.
The forged bill of sale.
She raised it like a weapon.
“Sterling!”
He turned.
“My son owns this car.”
Sterling looked at the paper.
He already knew what it was.
But he pretended to be surprised.
“I don't think so.”
Hadley smiled.
“Then we'll let the police decide.”
She pulled out her phone.
And called them.
Sterling quietly touched the hidden microphone beneath his shirt.
“She's doing it.”
Holt's voice came through his earpiece.
“Understood.”
The trap had been set.
The Salute
Two police cruisers entered the cul-de-sac.
Hadley stood beside Bryson with a triumphant expression.
She believed the police would force Sterling to surrender the Mustang.
Instead, Sergeant Brennan stepped out.
He recognized Sterling.
His posture changed immediately.
Officer Murchison followed his gaze.
Both officers stood straight.
Then they saluted.
“Chief Halloran, sir.”
Hadley's face went blank.
Bryson's mouth opened.
Sterling returned the salute.
“Sergeant.”
Hadley looked between them.
“You know him?”
Brennan looked surprised.
“Of course.”
“He's the owner of the car?”
Sterling answered.
“I am.”
Hadley thrust forward the bill of sale.
“My son purchased it.”
Brennan took one look at the document.