Name? Miller asked, his voice grally. My name is Evelyn Hayes, she stated clearly. I am requesting that you remove these handcuffs immediately. Furthermore, I am requesting my legal right to a telephone call.
I have a time-sensitive classified briefing to attend. Connelly snorted, leaning on the booking desk. See what I mean, Sarge? She's fully committed to the bit. Her DMV records bounced.
Federal hold glitch. Definitely a forged license. Sergeant Miller frowned. He looked at the license Connelly tossed on the desk, then typed the information into his terminal. He waited a few seconds.
The screen beeped, flashing a red error box. Restricted file. Do clearance required. Miller's eyebrows furrowed. That's duh.
Weird. Never seen it. Phrase it exactly like that before. It's a fake, Sarge. Book her for failure to identify, resisting, and suspicion of burglary.
Eivelyn shifted her weight. Sergeant Miller. Is it? Miller looked up. Yes, ma'am.
Sergeant, you strike me as a man who has been on the force for a considerable amount of time, Evelyn said, her tone conversational but laced with steel. Look at me. Look at my demeanor. Do I look like a burglar to you? Do I act like someone who is under the influence?
Ma'am, I just process what they bring in. I understand, Evelyn interrupted smoothly. But I am telling you as a matter of national security that you need to let me make a phone call. The man who brought me in is operating on pure unchecked prejudice. If you process me into a holding cell, you are attaching your name to his mistake, and I promise you the fallout will be catastrophic. " Connelly slammed his hand on the desk.
"Shut up. You don't threaten my sergeant. " "Hey, settle down, Derek," Miller muttered clearly uneasy. He looked at Evelyn. There was something about her. It wasn't just the clothes.
It was the total absence of fear. Criminals were usually angry, terrified, or belligerent. This woman was calculating. She was observing them the way a predator observes prey. She gets a call, Derek.
It's protocol, Miller said, reaching for a heavy black landline phone and sliding it across the counter. Who you calling, ma'am? A lawyer. Evelyn leaned forward over the counter as far as her handcuffed arms would allow. I need you to dial the number for me, Sergeant.
My hands are bound. Yeah, sure. What's the number? Elyn closed her eyes for a split second, recalling the direct unlisted secure line to the Pentagon's executive command post. It was a number given to less than 50 people in the world.
She recited the 10 digits. Miller typed them into the keypad. He put it on speakerphone per precinct protocol for holding area calls. The phone rang once, twice, then a sharp mechanical click echoed through the speaker followed by a crisp hyperprofessional voice. Command post.
Watch officer Major Vance speaking. State your authorization code. The bullpen suddenly grew very quiet. A few officers stopped typing. Conny's arrogant smirk faltered slightly.
That didn't sound like a lawyer's office. It didn't sound like a bondsman. Evelyn leaned closer to the phone. Major, this is Romeo Tango 7iner. Authenticate.
There was a rapid clicking sound on the other end. The sound of fingers flying across a mechanical keyboard. Authentication confirmed. The major's voice returned, suddenly stripped of its robotic cadence, replaced by urgent respect. General Hayes.
Ma'am, we have been trying to reach your encrypted mobile. You are due in the skiff in exactly 1 hour for the sec briefing. Is there a security issue? Desk Sergeant Miller's face went completely white. He slowly looked up from the phone, staring at the woman standing in front of him.
Officer Connelly took a step back, his mouth dropping open. "What is this? Is this a prank? " "Quiet! " Evelyn snapped, the word cracking like a whip through the precinct. Connelly instinctively shut his mouth. Major.
Evelyn spoke into the phone, her voice carrying the full unbridled weight of her rank. My vehicle was disabled and my encrypted mobile was left in my briefcase inside it. I am currently being held in handcuffs at the Fairfax County Police Department. There was a stunned heavy silence on the line. Say again, General.
Did you say you are in police custody? That is correct, major. I was pulled over by an officer Connelly for a fabricated infraction, mocked for my accent, accused of possessing a forged identification, and arrested without cause. Ma'am, the major's voice was tightly coiled. Are you injured?
Only my pride major and my schedule. General, Secretary Callas is already in the building when I inform him of this. Ma'am, the secretary is going to tear that precinct down to the studs. Just get me transportation major. Send a detail and have legal draft the immediate release paperwork.