Then:
"Be advised, Marcus Elijah Bennett is listed as active sworn command personnel, Atlanta Metropolitan Police Department."
Shaw's eyes widened.
Mercer stared at Marcus.
She still didn't unlock the cuffs.
"Rank?"
The dispatcher responded.
"Deputy Chief."
Silence filled the driveway.
One of the officers whispered:
"Oh, hell."
Marcus heard it.
He almost smiled.
Mercer stared at the radio as though it had personally betrayed her.
"There has to be a mistake."
Marcus turned his head.
"There isn't."
She keyed the radio again.
"Dispatch, verify supervisory chain."
"Unit 214, Deputy Chief Bennett oversees Patrol Operations Central and North sectors."
Shaw looked at Mercer.
"That includes us."
Marcus answered quietly.
"Yes."
Mercer's face had gone pale.
But instead of immediately removing the cuffs, she hesitated.
Then another voice came over the radio.
"Unit 214, hold position. Captain Samuel Rhodes is en route."
Mercer froze.
Marcus knew exactly what that meant.
Captain Rhodes commanded Mercer's precinct.
He had worked under Marcus for six years.
Every Monday morning, Rhodes sat across from Marcus during command review meetings.
The man was now coming to the scene.
Marcus looked at Mercer.
"Leave the cuffs on."
She blinked.
"What?"
"You were comfortable putting them on before verification."
He looked toward the growing crowd.
"Keep them there until your supervisor arrives."
"Chief, I didn't—"
"Five minutes ago I was a suspect."
Marcus's voice remained calm.
"Don't change your procedure because you discovered my title."