Danner glanced nervously at Mercer, then back at Valdez. "Yes, ma'am. He told me to shut it off."
"Did you comply?" Another pause. Danner's voice was barely audible.
"I thought I did, but apparently it kept recording." "Apparently?" Marcus asked.
"You either turned it off or you didn't." "I... I reached for it, but I guess I didn't actually hit the button."
Valdez made notes on her pad. "Sergeant Mercer, why did you want the cameras disabled?" "Standard procedure when we're dealing with sensitive intelligence matters."
"What intelligence?" Marcus pressed. You've claimed twice now that you had credible information, but you can't produce any documentation.
"The dispatch logs show no alerts. Your own report contains no specific details. What exactly was this intelligence?"
Mercer's face was getting redder. "I don't have to justify legitimate police work to some federal agent who thinks his badge makes him untouchable." The room went silent.
Valdez's pen stopped moving. Sergeant Mercer, she said carefully. Agent Vance is asking reasonable questions about the basis for his detention.
Your response suggests you're taking this personally rather than professionally. "He's trying to destroy my career because he got embarrassed." Marcus remained calm.
"I'm trying to understand why I was handcuffed, searched without consent, and had my vehicle impounded based on intelligence that apparently doesn't exist." Valdez closed her notepad. "Sergeant Mercer, effective immediately, your authority to conduct independent searches is suspended pending completion of this investigation."
Mercer's chair scraped against the floor as he stood up quickly. His face was now completely red, and he stared directly at Marcus with open hostility. "This is ridiculous," he said through clenched teeth.
"Sergeant," Hollis snapped. But the damage was done. Valdez's expression was ice cold.
"You're dismissed, Sergeant. Report to Lieutenant Hollis for administrative duties only." Mercer stormed out, slamming the door behind him.
The sound echoed through the small room like a gunshot. After the meeting officially ended, Marcus walked down the hallway toward the exit. His first real victory felt hollow.
Mercer's suspension was temporary, and the investigation could drag on for months. Agent Vance. Marcus turned to find Hollis approaching from behind.
The lieutenant's polished demeanor had cracked slightly, revealing something harder underneath. Lieutenant, you got what you wanted in there, Hollis said, stepping closer. "Mercer's been neutralized.
But I hope you understand something." Marcus waited. If you decide to destroy his career completely, this department will start examining your conduct with the same level of scrutiny you've applied to ours."
Hollis's voice was quiet, but clear. Federal agents aren't immune to internal investigations, especially ones who seem to enjoy humiliating local police in official hearings. The threat hung in the air between them.