Mulligan entered the conference room without his patrol belt.

That alone changed him.

Without the equipment, radio, and visible authority, he looked less imposing.

Chief Hernandez sat at the head of the table.

Department counsel beside him.

Danielle and Mark opposite.

Hernandez spoke.

"The investigation found multiple policy violations."

Mulligan stared ahead.

"You failed to verify vehicle ownership before making a custodial arrest."

Silence.

"You failed to retrieve readily available identification."

Nothing.

"You made inappropriate statements related to Ms. Lawson's race and professional status."

Mulligan finally moved.

"I never said anything about race."

Danielle looked at him.

"You didn't have to use the word."

Mulligan's jaw tightened.

Hernandez continued.

"The department has decided to terminate your employment."

Mulligan looked at him.

For the first time, real shock.

"You're firing me?"

"Yes."

"Over this?"

Hernandez's expression hardened.

"Over your conduct."

Mulligan looked toward Danielle.

"This is because she's important."

Danielle felt something inside her go still.

She leaned forward.

"No."

Mulligan laughed bitterly.

"If you were anybody else—"

"Exactly."

He stopped.

Danielle looked directly at him.

"That's exactly the problem."

The room became silent.

"You treated me the way you did because you thought I was nobody who mattered."

"I didn't know who you were."

"You keep saying that as though it helps you."

Mulligan said nothing.

"You shouldn't have needed to know."

His eyes shifted away.

Danielle continued.

"The registration should have mattered."

"The ID should have mattered."

"The absence of a stolen-vehicle report should have mattered."

"My cooperation should have mattered."

She paused.

"And I should have mattered before you learned my title."

Mulligan stared at the table.

Danielle sat back.

There was nothing else she needed from him.

Not even an apology.

CHAPTER 12 — NOT ONE BAD OFFICER

News of Mulligan's termination spread quickly.

Reporters framed the story simply.

OFFICER FIRED AFTER WRONGFUL ARREST OF STATE ATTORNEY.

Danielle disliked the headline.

It made the ending too neat.

One officer behaved badly.

One powerful woman fought back.

One officer was fired.