Michael's request for a personal call was not approved quickly.
That was expected.
He had filled the form in the holding unit with an officer watching from the other side of the table. Name, number, reason for contact. The form did not ask for truth. It asked for something staff could file without calling a supervisor twice.
Michael wrote carefully.
Reason: personal matter.
The officer took the paper, read it, and gave him a look that made clear how little that answer satisfied him.
"This number is not listed under your emergency contacts," the officer said.
"It does not need to be."
"Who is it?"
"Someone who can handle a private family matter."
The officer looked down at the form again. "You know this call may be monitored."
"Yes."
"And if you use it to contact witnesses, staff, claimants, journalists, or anyone connected to the investigation, the call can be terminated."
"I understood the first time."
