The Warden walked in, his face turning a deep shade of purple when he saw the scene. He didn’t shout; his silence was far more terrifying as he pointed toward my office. I knew my badge was as good as gone, but I didn’t move until the mother had finished her prayer.
Guards moved in to escort the woman out, but they did it with a gentleness I hadn’t seen in years. Elias watched her go, a strange peace settling over his features for the first time. He looked at me and mouthed the words “thank you” as they led me away.
The disciplinary hearing was scheduled for the next morning, and the atmosphere in the precinct was electric. Everyone expected me to be fired on the spot for such a blatant security breach. I sat in the waiting room, prepared to hand over my gun and my future.