Mercer shook his head firmly. "Not without a warrant, Sergeant. That's FBI equipment on private property."
Pike spun toward Shaw. "Then you do it!"
Shaw looked between Pike and the tablet, clearly torn between following orders and avoiding a federal obstruction charge. "Sergeant, maybe we should—"
"Maybe we should what?!" Pike exploded.
Cole pulled out his own copy of the incident report, studying it against what he had just watched. "I can't sign this," he announced. "The report doesn't match what actually happened."
"You'll sign whatever I tell you to sign!" Pike snarled.
"No," Cole said firmly. "I witnessed the encounter. Agent Carter never advanced on anyone. She defended herself when you grabbed her without justification."
Mercer nodded slowly. "Cole's right. I saw the same thing he did."
Pike's control finally snapped completely. He lunged forward, shoving Cole backward across the front yard. Cole stumbled, catching himself before falling.
"Your career is over!" Pike screamed. "Both of you! I'll make sure you never work in law enforcement again! You're choosing criminals over your own department!"
Cole straightened up, looking directly at Pike with newfound resolve. "I'm choosing the truth over lies."
Maya stepped forward, her voice cutting through Pike's rage with cold authority. "Sergeant," she said, "you just physically assaulted an officer in front of federal agents while attempting to coerce false testimony. And now two of your own officers are willing to testify that your official report is fabricated."
Pike turned toward her, his face twisted with fury. Maya's expression remained perfectly calm.
"Two officers just became witnesses against your version of events."
Pike's breathing came in short, angry bursts as he stared up at the twins. The front yard felt charged with tension. Cole and Mercer stood several feet away, their faces showing clear discomfort with what they had just witnessed. Shaw remained close to Pike's shoulder, waiting for orders.
"This ends now," Pike declared, his voice low and dangerous. "Shaw, we're going around to the side entrance. Emergency authority to secure evidence before it gets destroyed."
Maya immediately stepped down one step, positioning herself between Pike and the side yard. "There is no emergency. You have no warrant."
"I don't need a warrant when evidence is being tampered with," Pike shot back, moving toward the corner of the porch.
Shaw followed reluctantly, approaching Maya's position. "Agent Carter, please step aside."
"No," Maya said firmly, holding her ground.
Shaw reached out and grabbed her forearm, trying to pull her away from the path. "I'm sorry, but you need to move."
Maya's response was immediate and precise. She twisted her arm sharply, breaking Shaw's grip while simultaneously trapping his wrist against the porch railing. Shaw found himself bent forward awkwardly, his hand pinned and unable to move without causing himself pain.
"Release me," Maya said calmly, applying just enough pressure to keep him controlled.
Shaw tried to pull free, but quickly realized he was completely immobilized. "Let go!"
"When you stop grabbing federal agents," Maya replied evenly.
Pike saw his officer trapped and charged toward the porch steps. His face was twisted with rage as he rushed forward with both hands extended.
Naomi stepped down smoothly, meeting him at the bottom step. As Pike's momentum carried him toward her, she turned her shoulder and used his own force to redirect him sideways into the front yard. Pike stumbled across the grass, off-balance and furious.
The entire physical confrontation lasted less than 10 seconds. Maya released Shaw's wrist and stepped back up to the porch. Shaw rubbed his arm, looking stunned. Pike scrambled to his feet, grass stains on his uniform.
"You assaulted police officers!" Pike screamed, pointing at both twins.
Cole stepped forward, his voice clear and firm. "No, they defended themselves. Shaw grabbed Agent Carter first. You charged at Agent Carter. They used minimal force to protect themselves."
Mercer nodded in agreement. "Pike, you initiated both contacts. The agents responded defensively."
Pike spun toward his officers, his face red with fury. "You're supposed to support your sergeant!"
"We're supposed to support the truth," Cole replied without backing down.
Shaw looked between Pike and the twins, his expression conflicted. "Sergeant, maybe we should just leave."
"We're not leaving until I secure that evidence!" Pike snarled.
Mercer shook his head. "I'm not participating in an unlawful search. Neither should Shaw."
"Then both of you can explain yourselves to the lieutenant," Pike said, pulling out his radio.
Within minutes, Lieutenant Keller's patrol car pulled into the driveway again. He stepped out slowly, surveying the scene with obvious displeasure. Pike, Shaw, Cole, and Mercer stood scattered across the front yard. The twins remained on the porch, calm but alert.
"What happened here?" Keller demanded.
Pike launched into an immediate explanation. "The suspects physically attacked Shaw and me when we attempted to secure evidence. Cole and Mercer refused to provide backup."
Cole interrupted. "That's not accurate, Lieutenant. Sergeant Pike ordered an unlawful search. When Agent Carter blocked his path, Shaw grabbed her. She defended herself without striking anyone. Pike then charged at her. Agent Carter's sister redirected him safely away. Both agents showed remarkable restraint."
Keller's jaw tightened as he looked between his officers. "So my own men are contradicting each other?"
Mercer stepped forward. "Lieutenant, the agents acted professionally. Pike escalated unnecessarily."
Shaw remained silent, rubbing his wrist.