Rovan Hale had submitted the report three times before Havel stopped calling him in.
The first report said unknown attackers hit a suspected gang convoy. The second added the illegal cargo angle. The third corrected the weapon details after Havel asked why the bullet marks did not match the first version.
Rovan had prepared better this time.
He had not used police weapons. He had not placed uniformed men at the shooting line. He had paid outside men through two layers and moved the constables only after the firing stopped. By the time official police arrived, the road already looked like the kind of mess gangs made for themselves.
Even then, Havel had stared at him for too long.
"You are moving too far, Rovan," Havel had said. "If I find your hand inside this, I will not protect you."
Rovan had tried to look offended.
"Sir, I followed the information that came in. By the time our men reached, the firing was already over."
