Chapter IV: The Emergency Lockdown
Before Miller could reach the driver's handle, the cruiser's external speaker let out a piercing triple-tone emergency alert.
"All units, all units. Immediate mandatory hold on Unit 4. Priority Code Black. Surrender service weapons immediately."
Boggs froze. The color drained from his face as the dispatch radio erupted with direct orders issued by State Police Chief Marshall himself.
Down the highway, the wail of high-speed sirens tore through the silence.
Four black unmarked pursuit interceptors and the Chief of Police's tactical vehicle roared around the bend at ninety miles per hour, screeching to a halt and boxing in the patrol cruiser from all sides.
Chief Marshall and four armed Internal Affairs commanders stepped out, marching with unyielding fury straight toward Miller and Boggs.
"Miller! Boggs! Step away from the vehicle and get your hands on the hood right now!" Chief Marshall bellowed.
"Chief! What's going on?!" Miller stammered, his hands trembling as he backed against the cruiser door. "We just gave a warning to an old man in a broken-down truck—"