I should’ve handed the statements in right then. Should’ve logged them, attached them to the case file, done this by the book. Instead, I drove back to the station and went straight past the front desk. The mugger was still in holding. I stood outside the interview room while another officer wrapped up. When they stepped out, they shook their head.
“Guy’s dirty, but not for this. Solid alibi. He was on camera across town during two of the break-ins. Looks like we grabbed the right guy for the wrong crime.” That should’ve felt like closure. Instead, it felt like confirmation. I didn’t sit down.