The call went to voicemail first, then connected on the second try. This is Nora Whitfield. Ms. Whitfield, this is officer Daniel Reeves with Ashborne Police. I have your client, Marcus Ellison, in custody.
He asked me to tell you that the red folder is enough. A pause. Then Nora's voice sharpened. Where is he being held? Ashborne station holding room three.
He's requesting counsel before any questioning. I'll be there in 20 minutes. Do not interview him until I arrive. Reeves glanced toward Bellamy's desk. Yes, ma'am.
Across town, Nora's black BMW pulled into the empty parking lot of Whitfield and Associates. Her heels clicked against the asphalt as she hurried toward the glass doors of her law office. She had worked with Marcus for 8 years. She knew him better than his own family. Marcus didn't panic.
Marcus didn't get arrested unless he planned to get arrested. The elevator carried her to the 14th floor. Her office overlooked the city's financial district where Halbrook Dynamics occupied three floors of gleaming steel and glass. She unlocked her desk drawer and pulled out a red manila folder marked "Emergency Protocol.". Inside were documents Marcus had prepared 3 days ago before his first board meeting at Halbrook Dynamics before Vanessa's suspension before tonight's arrest.
The first item was a USB drive containing the original driveway footage from his home security system. Vanessa flipping him off. Vanessa calling 911 with false accusations. Officer Bellamy treating Marcus as guilty before asking questions. The second item was audio from the HOA meeting legally recorded on Marcus'ss phone.
Vanessa saying Marcus wasn't the kind of person who fits the character of Ashborne Crest. Board members agreeing that certain residents didn't belong. The third item made Nora's jaw tighten. Corporate emails between Vanessa and the marketing department discussing police partnerships and community safety analytics. Charts showing how Halbrook software flagged minority residents in wealthy neighborhoods as anomalous presences requiring additional verification.