The fourth item was a communication log from Halbrook's Internal Security Review. Text messages between Vanessa Halbrook and Officer Grant Bellamy dating back 6 months. Dinner plans, coffee meetings, Vanessa asking for special attention to neighborhood disturbances. Bellamy promising to handle problem residents with appropriate response. The final item was a federal contract proposal.
Halbrook Dynamics had bid on expanding their police technology to 12 additional departments using Ashborne as their success model. The technology that had helped target Marcus was being sold as a product. Nora opened her laptop and began typing. Emergency motion for immediate release due to prosecutorial misconduct, false arrest, and violation of civil rights. She attached every piece of evidence from the red folder.
Then she opened a second document, complaint to the Federal Bureau of Investigation regarding systemic civil rights violations through biased technology and police partnership corruption. A third document went to the city inspector general's office, a fourth to the Halbrook Dynamics Board's Independent Council, the law firm hired to oversee Marcus's takeover process. By 12:30 a.m., copies of Marcus's evidence package were sitting in four different email inboxes with red receipts requested. Back at the police station, Officer Bellamy stood outside holding room three. He had sent Reeves home an hour ago.
The hallway was empty except for the night sergeant who was busy with paperwork. Bellamy opened the door and stepped inside. "Your lawyer's on her way," he said, settling into the plastic chair across from Marcus. "But we can make this easier if you just explain what really happened today." Marcus looked up from his hands.
His voice was calm, almost conversational. "I'd like to wait for counsel. Come on, Marcus. We've been neighbors for what, 4 days? I'm trying to help you here.
Vanessa Halbrook is respected in this community. She's scared of you. Her whole family is scared of you. Marcus said nothing. Bellamy leaned forward.
You think buying that company makes you untouchable? You think money changes what people see when they look at you? Marcus met his eyes steadily. I'd like to wait for counsel. You can sit here all night if you want, but eventually you're going to have to answer for what you've done, for what you are.