“Put the box down.”
Harrison did.
“Open it.”
“They're police department records.”
Furman laughed.
“I'm supposed to take your word for that?”
He kicked the box.
It fell open.
Confidential papers scattered across the driveway.
Harrison looked down.
Then back at Furman.
The sergeant's hand rested on his weapon.
“Open every box.”
Harrison's voice became very quiet.
“Sergeant Furman.”
“What?”
“My name is Harrison Noble.”
He reached slowly into his pocket.
Furman tensed.
Harrison pulled out a black leather badge wallet.
He opened it.
A gold shield caught the morning sunlight.
CHIEF OF POLICE
CEDARFIELD POLICE DEPARTMENT
Harrison looked directly into Furman's eyes.
“I am your new chief.”
Silence.
Furman's face went white.
He looked at the badge.
Then at Harrison.
Then at the confidential documents scattered across the concrete.
“I… Chief…”
Harrison closed the wallet.
“You didn't know?”
Furman swallowed.
“No, sir.”
“You didn't ask.”
“No, sir.”
“You didn't verify.”
Silence.
Harrison pointed toward the papers.
“You put your hand on your weapon.”
Furman said nothing.
“You ordered me away from my own vehicle.”
Still nothing.
“And you destroyed confidential police documents because one caller told you I was suspicious.”
Furman's shoulders collapsed.
“Yes, sir.”
Harrison looked at him.
“Twelve calls, Sergeant.”
Then came the sentence Furman would remember for the rest of his life.
“A police badge isn't required for basic human decency.”