Chapter 20 - MICHAEL LOSES HIS BADGE
Michael was cleared of threatening Madison.
Then a second complaint appeared.
Grant claimed Michael accessed confidential neighborhood records without a warrant.
The accusation was false.
But department policy required another review.
Michael surrendered his badge again.
This time, Ethan did not blame himself.
“Grant did it because Dad found the truth.”
Rebecca nodded.
“That is exactly why.”
Michael struggled more than he admitted.
Policing had been part of his identity for fifteen years.
Without the uniform, he felt as though Grant had removed his ability to protect his family.
Ethan noticed.
“You stopped Madison before you showed your badge.”
Michael looked at him.
“What?”
“You told her not to touch me. You were my dad first.”
The words restored something no department decision could remove.
Captain Ward completed the review within forty-eight hours.
Michael had received the records through his attorney.
He violated no policy.
The complaint was dismissed.
But before his badge was returned, another officer visited.
Grant had offered money to a department employee for information about the investigation.
The employee wore a recording device during their next meeting.
Grant’s voice was clear.
“I need to know what the boy’s family has before the neighborhood meeting.”
“How much are you offering?”
“Enough to make one police report disappear.”
Grant was arrested for attempted bribery.
News cameras gathered outside the Collins mansion.
Madison stood at an upstairs window.
Ava watched from the temporary guardian’s home.
Grant was led into a patrol car.
His face disappeared behind the glass.
Michael’s badge was returned the same afternoon.
He placed it on the kitchen table.
Ethan touched its edge.
“Does this mean we won?”
“No.”
“What does winning look like?”
Michael looked toward Rebecca.
“It looks like you feeling safe again.”
Ethan considered that answer.
“I’m not there yet.”
Michael nodded.
“Then neither are we.”
The neighborhood meeting was scheduled for Friday.
Madison announced she would attend.
She still believed she could control the room.
She had controlled rooms for years.
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But this time, the walls would contain two live cameras.
And every person she had frightened was preparing to speak.
