Into extreme caution.
Dana looked from him to Evelyn.
“Judge?”
Evelyn answered before Price could.
“Retired.”
The distinction mattered to her.
For twenty-one years, Evelyn Carter had served on the Maryland Circuit Court.
Before that she spent fourteen years as a public defender and civil-rights attorney.
She had retired eighteen months earlier.
She had not introduced herself by title because Nia should not have needed a judge for an adult to believe she paid for ice cream.
Price turned toward Dana.
“Your camera.”
“It’s on.”
“Was it on from initial contact?”
Dana hesitated.
Price noticed.
“Officer.”
“I activated it during the interaction.”
“When?”
“I don’t know exactly.”
Price closed his eyes.
“Okay.”
Dana tried to speak.
“Lieutenant—”
“Not here.”
“She assaulted me.”
Price looked at the scattered crates.
Then at the melted cone beneath Dana’s boot.
Then at the phones.
“Everyone stays separated.”
Evelyn said, “My granddaughter is going home.”
Price looked at Nia.
The girl was shaking.
“Yes.”
Dana stared at him.
“Sir.”
“That child is not being detained.”
“She was involved in—”
“The merchant confirmed payment.”
Dana’s mouth tightened.
Price turned toward Evelyn.
“I’d like a statement.”
“You’ll have one.”
“Today?”
“Yes.”
“Would you be willing to come to the station?”
“No.”
Price looked surprised.
“My granddaughter has had enough police contact for one afternoon.”
He nodded.
“Understood.”
“You may send an investigator to my daughter’s home tomorrow after I’ve spoken with Nia and her mother.”
“That’s reasonable.”
Evelyn pointed toward Rosa.
“You should speak to Ms. Martinez before someone convinces themselves her memory changed.”
Price looked at her.
Evelyn held his gaze.
He understood the warning.
Not an accusation.
A preservation request.
“Officer Grant.”
Another officer stepped forward.
“Yes, Lieutenant.”
“Get the store footage copied immediately. Owner present.”
Rosa nodded.
“Anything you need.”
Price looked toward the crowd.
“If anyone has video and is willing to provide a copy, Officer Grant will take contact information.”
Nearly every hand holding a phone rose.
Dana looked around.
For the first time, uncertainty replaced anger.
Evelyn noticed.
She wished it made her feel better.
It did not.
Nia wanted to leave.
That mattered more.
Danielle Carter arrived eleven minutes later.
She had been working a Saturday shift at Mercy Shore Medical Center when Evelyn called.
She came still wearing blue scrubs beneath a light jacket.
The moment she saw Nia, she ran.
“Baby.”
Nia threw herself into her mother.