Beverly listened in disbelief as Stone described his criminal network with the pride of a businessman explaining corporate expansion.
“Do you know our annual gross?” Stone asked.
Beverly remained silent.
“Fifty-seven million dollars.”
He smiled.
“We move more product through this corridor than the next five operations combined.”
Stone returned to his desk.
“And it works because we understand something you never did.”
“What’s that?”
“Law enforcement isn’t about enforcing laws.”
He lifted the glass.
“It’s about controlling territory.”
Beverly’s phone captured every word.
Every number.
Every admission.
“The next morning, Beverly’s remaining hope collapsed.
She was taken to the phone again.
Rodriguez was on the line.
“Agent Shaw.”
His voice was cold.
Official.
Completely different from the previous call.
“I’m notifying you that you have been suspended from active duty pending internal investigation.”
Beverly tightened her grip on the phone.
“Sir, I activated the emergency protocol. I need immediate assistance.”
“Agent Shaw, according to the information available to us, no emergency extraction is currently authorized.”
Beverly stared ahead.
“Our review indicates that you exceeded the approved scope of your assignment.”
“That isn’t accurate.”
“You were assigned to preliminary surveillance.”
Rodriguez continued.
“You pursued an active investigation without appropriate clearance or backup.”
Beverly’s mind raced.
She knew that wasn’t true.
But she understood what it meant.
The corruption extended beyond Desert Springs.
Possibly into the Bureau itself.
“Furthermore,” Rodriguez said, “your arrest for drug possession raises serious questions regarding your judgment and reliability.”
“The evidence was planted.”
“That is your allegation.”
Beverly’s jaw tightened.
“The Bureau is distancing itself from the situation until the circumstances can be independently reviewed.”
The line went dead.
Beverly stared at the phone.
For the first time in twenty years as a federal agent, she was truly alone.
The man who entered the consultation room later introduced himself as David Harrison, attorney at law.
He wore an expensive suit that seemed wildly out of place inside the Desert Springs Police Station.
His briefcase carried the logo of a prestigious Phoenix law firm.
“Ms. Shaw, I’ve been retained to represent you.”
Beverly studied him.
“I didn’t retain an attorney.”
Harrison sat.
“Who’s paying you?” Beverly asked.
He opened the briefcase with practiced efficiency.
“The Fraternal Order of Police Legal Defense Fund has arranged representation.”
Beverly’s expression didn’t change.
“I’m not a local police officer. I’m FBI.”
“Well, law enforcement is law enforcement.”
His smile looked manufactured.
“I’ve reviewed the case, and I believe we can resolve this very simply.”
He slid a document across the table.
Beverly read it.
Her blood pressure rose line by line.
“This is a guilty plea.”
“Yes.”
Harrison spoke as though describing routine paperwork.
“You plead guilty to simple possession, receive a suspended sentence with community service, and the matter disappears.”
Beverly pushed the document back.
“I’m not pleading guilty to charges based on planted evidence.”
Harrison’s smile faded.
“I want a trial.”
“Ms. Shaw, I don’t think you understand the complexity of your position.”