The captain stared at him.
"Who arrested him?"
"Officer Dalton."
Reynolds closed his eyes.
For several seconds, he said nothing.
Then:
"Get Cole."
"He's already—"
"Now."
The desk officer picked up the phone.
Reynolds turned toward Mercer.
The older man was still standing near the entrance.
"Mr. Mercer."
Mercer nodded.
"Captain."
Reynolds walked toward him.
"What are you doing here?"
"Waiting."
"For what?"
"Your department to realize what happened."
Reynolds looked toward the corridor.
"How long has he been inside?"
"Approximately twenty minutes."
Reynolds' face tightened.
"Did he identify himself?"
Mercer paused.
"Yes."
"To whom?"
"Your desk officer."
Reynolds looked at the desk.
The officer suddenly became very interested in his computer screen.
The captain turned back.
"Did he show credentials?"
"He did."
"What kind?"
Mercer simply looked at him.
Reynolds understood.
His face lost color.
"You're telling me he showed his credentials?"
"Yes."
"And they still arrested him?"
"Apparently."
Reynolds turned toward the corridor.
"Get Dalton out of that room."
Mercer stopped him.
"Captain."
Reynolds turned.
"Yes?"
"Don't."
"Why?"
"Because if you interrupt them now, you may prevent the only thing that will make the truth impossible to dispute."
Reynolds stared at him.
"What are you talking about?"
Mercer glanced at his watch.
"Give it another minute."
The captain's voice dropped.
"Mr. Mercer, I need to know exactly what's happening."
Mercer looked toward the interrogation corridor.
"Your officers made a serious mistake."
"How serious?"
Mercer didn't answer.
Instead, he said:
"Where is the District Attorney?"
Reynolds froze.
"He was supposed to be at the courthouse."
"He left."
"When?"
"About twenty minutes ago."
Reynolds stared at him.
"How do you know?"
Mercer smiled slightly.
"Because I was with him."
The captain's stomach dropped.
Inside the interrogation room, Dalton had no idea what was happening outside.
He was standing behind Reed.
"Last chance."
Reed said nothing.
"Who were you meeting?"
Silence.
Dalton grabbed the man's jacket.
Reed finally spoke.
"Take your hand off me."
Dalton pulled him backward.
"Or what?"
Reed turned his head.
"You're making this considerably more expensive than it needed to be."
Dalton laughed.
"You threatening me?"
"No."
"Sounds like a threat."
"It's a prediction."
Dalton yanked Reed's jacket again.
"You better watch your mouth."
Reed looked toward the camera.
Then toward the clock.
"Actually, I think I'll say one more thing."
Dalton leaned closer.
"What?"
Reed's voice remained calm.
"When the District Attorney arrives, please don't remove these cuffs."
Dalton stared at him.
"What?"
"You heard me."
"You think the DA is coming here for you?"
"I know he's coming here."
Dalton laughed.
"You're unbelievable."
Reed continued.
"And I'd prefer it if the cuffs remained exactly where they are."
Dalton shook his head.
"You've lost it."
"No."
Reed looked at the camera.
"I want him to see the situation exactly as it happened."
Dalton's smile disappeared.
"What situation?"
Reed looked back at him.
"The one you're creating."
Dalton stepped forward.
"You're trying to scare me."
"No."
Reed took a slow breath.
"I'm giving you an opportunity."
"An opportunity for what?"
"To stop."
Dalton stared at him.
Then he smiled.
"You should've taken your own advice."
He grabbed Reed's shoulder.
The door suddenly opened.
A young officer appeared.
"Sergeant Cole wants you outside."
Dalton turned.
"What for?"
"I don't know."
Dalton looked at Reed.
"Don't move."
Reed smiled.
"Where exactly do you think I'm going?"
Dalton left.
The young officer followed.
Reed remained alone.
For the first time, his expression changed.
He closed his eyes.
Not because he was afraid.
Because he was disappointed.
He whispered:
"They had a chance."
Then footsteps thundered down the corridor.
Fast.
Heavy.
Several people.
And one voice rose above all the others.
"Open that door!"
Sergeant Cole was halfway across the station when he heard the shouting.
He turned.
Captain Reynolds was approaching quickly.
"Where is Dalton?"
"Interrogation room."