“This is police business.”
Adrian remained calm.
“Then handle it like police business.”
Mercer released Malik and turned toward Adrian.
“You need to walk away.”
“No.”
Malik stared at Adrian.
He had never seen him before.
Mercer stepped closer.
“Last warning.”
Adrian glanced at the clear plastic bag in Mercer’s hand.
“You want to explain where you got that?”
Mercer’s eyes narrowed.
“What?”
“The bag.”
“You involved with him?”
“No.”
“Then mind your business.”
Adrian looked directly at him.
“I watched you take it from your pocket.”
Silence.
For the first time, uncertainty appeared on Mercer’s face.
It lasted less than a second.
Then anger replaced it.
“You’re interfering with an investigation.”
“No.”
“You are.”
“You’re fabricating one.”
Malik looked between them.
His fear shifted into disbelief.
Mercer pointed at Adrian.
“Against the wall.”
Adrian almost smiled.
“No.”
Mercer blinked.
“I said against the wall.”
“I heard you.”
“Then move.”
Adrian stood still.
Mercer reached for his arm.
Adrian moved it away.
“Don’t touch me.”
That was enough.
Mercer shoved Adrian.
Adrian took one step backward.
“Officer.”
“Hands behind your back.”
“No.”
Mercer grabbed him again.
Adrian twisted free.
Malik shouted.
“He didn’t do anything!”
“Shut up!”
Mercer lunged toward Adrian.
This time he committed his full weight.
Big mistake.
Adrian had spent eight years before Internal Affairs working violent-crimes investigations.
Before that, five years on patrol.
Before that, four years in the Marine Corps.
He knew exactly what Mercer was trying to do.
Mercer reached for his shoulders.
Adrian redirected the arm.
Mercer stumbled.
He tried again.
Adrian stepped aside and used the officer’s momentum against him.
Mercer hit the pavement.
Hard.
People gasped.
Malik’s mouth opened.
Mercer rolled onto one knee.
His face burned with rage.
“You’re dead.”
Adrian stared at him.
“No.”
Mercer reached toward his holster.
Adrian’s voice became sharp.
“Do not.”
Something in the tone made Mercer hesitate.
Adrian reached inside his shirt.
Mercer’s eyes widened.
“Hands!”
Adrian ignored him.
He pulled out a black leather wallet.
Opened it.
Held it directly in front of Mercer.
The words across the top were impossible to misunderstand.
INTERNAL AFFAIRS
Below them was Adrian Cole’s photograph.
Mercer stopped breathing for a moment.
Malik stared.
Adrian spoke quietly.
“Senior Investigator Adrian Cole.”
Mercer looked from the badge to Adrian’s face.
Adrian continued.
“Bellhaven Police Department.”
The sidewalk became completely silent.
Then Mercer whispered:
“Oh, no.”
Adrian lowered the badge.
“Yeah.”
Mercer stood slowly.
“You should have identified yourself.”
Adrian’s eyebrows rose.
“That’s what you’re going with?”
“I didn’t know.”
Adrian stared at him.
“There it is.”
“What?”
“I didn’t know.”
He pointed toward Malik.
“You didn’t know who he was either.”
Mercer swallowed.
