Chapter 22: The Internal Affairs Scare - Part 2
POV: Kole Martinez
Friday morning arrived with the particular dread that came from facing interrogation by someone trained to detect deception. The IAB interview room felt smaller than when Kole had questioned suspects here, the fluorescent lighting harsher, the metal table more intimidating when viewed from the opposite side.
Same room, different perspective. Now I'm the one under scrutiny.
Detective Carlson entered with the methodical precision of someone who'd conducted hundreds of internal investigations, carrying files that contained every documented detail of Martinez's fabricated history. His expression revealed nothing, but Kole's lie detection caught intense focus mixed with genuine curiosity about what this interview might reveal.
He's not here to persecute me. He's here to understand what doesn't make sense.
Which somehow makes this more dangerous.
"Detective Martinez," Carlson began, settling across the table with bureaucratic efficiency, "thank you for your cooperation with this administrative review. I want to emphasize that this is a fact-finding interview, not an accusation of wrongdoing."
Fact-finding interview about facts that don't exist.
"I understand."
Carlson opened the first file with practiced ceremony, revealing documentation that looked impressive until examined closely.
"Let's start with your training background. According to your personnel file, you completed standard police academy curriculum with exemplary marks. However, your demonstrated combat capabilities suggest additional specialized training that isn't reflected in official records."
Here we go.
Kole's photographic memory accessed every detail of Martinez's fragmented past while his lie detection read Carlson's genuine confusion about the discrepancies. Combat adaptation kept his body language neutral and professional despite internal panic.
Deploy all three powers simultaneously. Thread truth and lies seamlessly. Make the impossible sound plausible.
"I've always been physically coordinated," Kole said carefully. "Good reflexes, natural athletic ability. The academy training built on existing foundations."
Partial truth. The coordination exists, just not from sources I can explain.
"Existing foundations from where? Your background check indicates no military service, no formal martial arts training, no documented athletic programs."
Because Martinez's real background was erased when I inherited his body.
"Family background," Kole improvised. "My father was military, taught me basic self-defense growing up. Uncle ran a boxing gym, picked up techniques informally over the years."
Lies built on plausible framework. Father and uncle who can't be contacted because they exist only in this conversation.
Carlson made notes with methodical precision, clearly checking Kole's answers against prepared questions.
"Your observational capabilities are remarkable. Multiple colleagues describe your ability to spot details that other detectives miss, recall information with perfect accuracy, identify patterns in complex investigations. How do you explain this level of analytical performance?"
How do I explain supernatural photographic memory and pattern recognition?
"I've always been detail-oriented," Kole said. "Good memory, systematic approach to evidence analysis. Some people are naturally good at math or music. I'm naturally good at police work."
The same explanation I've been using for months. Still sounds weak.
"Naturally good at police work to a degree that exceeds statistical norms for experienced detectives, despite having minimal documented experience yourself."
He's done the math. He knows my abilities don't match my supposed background.
Carlson pulled out a second file, this one containing commendations and case summaries that looked impressive until examined for specifics.
"The Morrison case. You received commendation for 'innovative investigative techniques' that led to suspect identification. Can you walk me through those techniques?"
Case I never worked, techniques I never used, commendation for work that happened before I existed.
Kole's photographic memory searched frantically through Martinez's fragmented recollections, finding only empty spaces where crucial details should have been.
The Morrison case exists as a single paragraph summary. No specifics, no methodology, no explanation of what actually happened.
"Pattern analysis," Kole said slowly, buying time while constructing plausible methodology. "Cross-referencing witness statements with physical evidence, identifying inconsistencies that suggested inside knowledge of crime scene details."
True techniques applied to fictional case. Hope Carlson can't verify specifics.
"The warehouse incident. Commendation for 'exceptional performance under pressure' during officer safety situation. What was the nature of that performance?"
Another blank space. Another gap where Martinez's memories should provide context.
"Tactical awareness during high-stress situation," Kole replied, his lie detection screaming warnings about how thin these explanations sounded. "Maintaining situational awareness, coordinating with backup units, ensuring civilian safety while pursuing suspect."
Generic cop language that could apply to any dangerous situation.
Carlson's expression remained neutral, but Kole caught micro-signs of skepticism beneath the professional facade.
He's not buying it. The explanations are too vague, too careful, too obviously deflective.
While Kole endured interrogation, the Nine-Nine squad conducted their own investigation into Detective Carlson's background and motivations. Jake organized the unofficial operation with military-style precision, deploying each team member's specialized skills against the IAB investigator.
Squad loyalty in action. They're investigating the investigator.
Rosa intimidated IAB sources through her network of contacts and aggressive information gathering techniques. Amy cross-referenced Carlson's past investigations for patterns that might suggest personal vendetta or systemic bias. Charles brought emotional support snacks while monitoring the interview room door like anxious guardian.
Even Charles is contributing. Bringing snacks and standing watch.
Their investigation revealed what Kole had feared most: Detective Carlson was completely legitimate. No corruption, no personal vendetta, no administrative bias. Just a thorough investigator doing his job with professional competence.
Which makes him infinitely more dangerous than a corrupt cop with ulterior motives.
The interview's climax came when Carlson produced evidence Kole hadn't anticipated—witness statements from the 74th Precinct describing changes in Martinez's behavior and capabilities.
"Detective Chen from your former precinct describes you as 'different' after returning from a solo undercover operation six months ago," Carlson read from his notes. "Quote: 'Martinez came back changed. More focused, more capable, like he'd learned things during the operation that transformed his entire approach to police work.' What happened during that operation, Detective?"
The transmigration. Chen noticed the change because Martinez died and I replaced him.
Kole's lie detection screamed danger as every alarm bell in his enhanced perception activated simultaneously. This was the question that could destroy everything—direct evidence that Martinez had been fundamentally altered during the time period when transmigration occurred.
Need to construct the most important lie of my existence.
"Classified operation," Kole said slowly, mind racing through possible explanations. "Deep cover assignment that required methods and training I can't discuss in detail."
Classified. The magic word that stops most administrative investigations.
"Classified by whom? Under what authority? Your former captain has no record of authorizing classified operations during that time period."
Shit. Carlson's done his homework.
"Joint task force operation. Federal oversight, need-to-know classification. I was instructed not to discuss details with local command structure."
Federal oversight. Hopefully too complicated for local IAB to verify quickly.
Carlson's skepticism was visible, but he lacked specific evidence to challenge the classification claim directly.
Barely plausible. Just barely.
"I'll need documentation supporting the classification claim," Carlson said finally.
"I'll need to contact my federal handler for authorization to release that information."
Federal handler who doesn't exist for operation that never happened.
Buying time with bureaucratic complexity.
The interview concluded without resolution, Carlson recognizing he needed additional evidence before drawing conclusions about Martinez's background. But the investigation remained open, a sword hanging over Kole's career and identity.
Survived the interview. Barely.
But Carlson's not finished. This is just the beginning.
Walking out of IAB headquarters, Kole felt the weight of accumulated lies pressing down like physical force. Every explanation he'd given was either partial truth or complete fabrication, every deflection had pushed the deception deeper.
Using supernatural abilities to maintain secrets about supernatural abilities.
The paradox is destroying me piece by piece.
His phone buzzed with supportive messages from the squad—Jake offering drinks, Amy providing legal research about IAB procedures, Charles sending emotional encouragement, Rosa simply texting "handled it?"
Squad support despite not understanding what they're supporting.
Family protecting family, even when family is based on lies.
The investigation remained open, Detective Carlson remained suspicious, and Kole's carefully constructed identity remained one revelation away from complete collapse.
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