Chapter 10 - State of Justice
"Broadcast it," Marcus muttered into his hidden comms.
Up in the rafters, Sarah hit the enter key. The live feed of Miller's confession, crystal clear in 4K resolution, streamed directly into the inboxes of fifty journalists and twenty federal prosecutors.
"You're done, Elias," Marcus said, his voice dropping its conversational tone. "Look at your phone."
Miller frowned, reaching into his pocket. His phone was vibrating violently. Notifications flooded the screen. Breaking news alerts. His own face, confessing to corruption and attempted murder, playing on a loop.
Panic, pure and absolute, shattered Miller's arrogant facade. He racked the shotgun. "I'll kill you anyway!"
A single gunshot rang out from the rafters. Sarah's sniper round didn't hit Miller; it shattered the receiver of the shotgun in his hands, violently disarming him and throwing him to the dirt.
Sirens wailed in the distance. Real sirens this time. The FBI, state police, and local units were swarming the canyon, converging on the live feed location.
Marcus walked over to where Miller lay groaning in the dirt and kicked the ruined shotgun away. Brenda was frozen in terror, her designer purse dropped in the dust.
Marcus pulled his cuffs from his belt, the metal catching the moonlight. He yanked Miller's arms behind his back.
"Elias Miller, you are under arrest. You have the right to remain silent." Marcus leaned in close, his voice cold as ice. "I highly suggest you use it."
Hours later, as the dawn broke over the Arizona desert, Marcus sat on the tailgate of an ambulance. The nightmare was over. Miller and Brenda were in federal custody. The precinct was being gutted by Internal Affairs.
Sarah walked over, handing him a cup of terrible instant coffee. "It's done. You're cleared. Full reinstatement."
May you like
Marcus took the coffee, looking down at his phone. The screen showed a picture of Leo from the clinic, smiling, an oxygen tube still in his nose but giving a thumbs up.
"Keep the badge," Marcus said softly, tossing his state star to Sarah. "I think I've had enough of the uniform. I've got a kid who needs to go fishing."
