Chapter 3 - The Ghost of the BadgeThe murmur in the crowd grew louder, but this time, the tone was confused.
"What is she talking about?" Vanessa laughed nervously, looking at her attorney, who was standing near the VIP tables. "She’s delusional. The trauma of her past is clearly catching up to her."
"Let's talk about that past," I said, stepping forward. I let go of the torn fabric of my dress, exposing the pale, jagged scar completely. I wore it like a badge of honor, because that is exactly what it was. "You told everyone I used to run with criminals. You told them I was street trash."
At the locked iron gates of the beach club, the security officer unlocked the latch. The doors of the black sedan opened, and several men in formal dark suits stepped out, followed by a tall, imposing figure in a polished, immaculate police uniform.
The crowd parted as the heavy boots of the officers clicked against the stone tiles of the pool deck.
It was Chief Thomas Sterling, the head of the metropolitan police department. His chest was covered in commendation medals, and his expression was as stern and cold as granite.
Vanessa’s eyes widened in sudden, desperate confusion. She knew Chief Sterling; he was a frequent guest at her family's political fundraisers. She immediately plaster on a warm, host's smile. "Chief Sterling! What a pleasant surprise. I didn't know you were planning to attend tonight. We were just handling a security issue with—"
Chief Sterling didn't look at Vanessa. He didn't look at her lawyer, or the politicians holding their breath in the crowd.
He walked straight up to me.
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He stopped exactly three feet in front of me, looked at the jagged scar on my ribs, and then looked into my eyes. With absolute precision, he raised his right hand to his temple and gave me a crisp, formal salute.
"Lieutenant Cross," Chief Sterling's powerful voice boomed through the silent beach club. "It is an honor to see you standing."
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