PART 2
Marcus slowly moved one hand toward the inside of his jacket.
He withdrew a black leather credential case.
Pierce smirked.
“Finally.”
Marcus opened it.
The smirk disappeared.
A gold badge caught the afternoon light.
Above it, printed credentials.
COMMONWEALTH BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION
MARCUS A. BENNETT
DEPUTY DIRECTOR
PROFESSIONAL INTEGRITY DIVISION
For several seconds, nobody spoke.
Elena looked at the badge.
Then at Marcus.
Then at Pierce.
Pierce’s face went pale.
Marcus held the credentials at chest level.
No dramatic flourish.
No smile.
No satisfaction.
Pierce whispered:
“You’re…”
Marcus closed the credential case.
“Yes.”
“You’re with the state?”
“Yes.”
Someone behind them said:
“Oh my God.”
Another phone lifted higher.
Pierce looked toward the crowd.
Then back at Marcus.
“Why didn’t you say that?”
For the first time, Marcus’s expression changed.
Not anger.
Disappointment.
“Before or after you hit me?”
Pierce said nothing.
Marcus continued:
“Would it have changed how you treated me?”
Pierce opened his mouth.
Stopped.
Marcus slipped the credential case back inside his jacket.
Then said:
“That is the problem.”
Elena swallowed.
Pierce looked toward the pocket where the badge had disappeared.
“So what happens now?”
Marcus stared at him.
“You call your supervisor.”
Pierce’s face tightened.
“You’re ordering me?”
“No.”
Marcus shook his head.
“I requested one before you knew who I was.”
“Now I am repeating the request.”
Elena immediately reached for her radio.
“Dispatch, Unit Twelve.”
Pierce looked at her.
She did not look back.
“Requesting field supervisor at Broad and Jefferson.”
Pause.
“Priority.”
Marcus walked toward a bench.
Pierce raised one hand.
“Stay where you are.”
Elena turned sharply.
“Nolan.”
He lowered it.
Marcus sat.
His cheek burned.
His jaw hurt.
He felt a familiar sensation in his hands.
Not fear.
Adrenaline.
The body preparing to do something the mind had already decided would make everything worse.
