Jacob held his gaze.
For one second, Alicia thought he might finally cross the line in the correct direction.
Then he looked away.
“No, sir.”
Granger nodded.
“Good.”
Trevor walked around the car.
Alicia watched him reach toward his patrol bag.
His back was partially turned.
His hand went inside.
When it came out, something small sat between two fingers.
A plastic packet.
White powder.
Alicia’s breathing remained steady.
Jacob saw it too.
His eyes widened.
He moved quickly.
“What are you doing?”
Trevor jerked his hand away.
“Nothing.”
“I saw that.”
“Back off.”
“You were going to—”
“Jacob.”
Granger’s voice cut across them.
Jacob froze.
Granger stared.
“Problem?”
Jacob looked toward Trevor.
Then toward Alicia.
Then toward his own badge.
Everything about him suggested war happening internally.
Finally, he lowered his head.
“No, Sergeant.”
Alicia understood.
Fear had won.
For now.
Granger looked satisfied.
“You’ll learn.”
Derek took his flashlight and slammed it against the sedan’s window.
The glass cracked slightly but held.
Several people jumped.
Devin stepped forward.
“She didn’t do anything.”
Mason grabbed him.
“You again.”
“Leave her alone.”
Mason shoved Devin backward.
He nearly fell.
An elderly man on the sidewalk lifted his phone.
Mason noticed.
“What are you recording?”
The man lowered it instantly.
“Nothing.”
“Then go.”
He went.
Another witness disappeared.
Then another.
Within minutes, half the crowd had scattered.
Only Sharon remained behind the locked convenience store door.
Her phone was recording through a gap between the blinds.
“Please,” she whispered.
“Let somebody see this.”
At FBI headquarters, an analyst called across the room.
“Samuel.”
“What?”
“Additional units are responding.”
A map appeared.
Three Red Creek cruisers were moving toward the intersection.
Monica frowned.
“More officers?”
Samuel nodded.
“This may be bigger than Granger’s group.”
He reached for secure communications.
“Isaac.”
A voice answered.
“Go.”
“Prepare Tactical Team One.”
“You want us moving?”
“Stand by.”
Isaac Monroe, leader of the FBI tactical unit, paused.
“How bad?”
Samuel looked toward the screen.
“Bad enough.”
Back in Red Creek, Granger checked his watch.
Then pointed toward Alicia.
“Cuff her.”
Derek smiled.
“Finally.”
Jacob looked stunned.