“Unit twelve, additional information on Avery verification.” Danner looked impatient.
“What now?” Pierce keyed the microphone. “Go ahead.”
The dispatcher’s voice came through clearly enough for everyone nearby to hear. “Confirming Camille Renee Avery, city personnel record. Incoming Police Commissioner. Appointment effective Monday at 0800.”
Pierce stopped moving. Judith lifted her head. Danner stared at the radio.
“What did she say?” Pierce looked at him. “She’s the incoming commissioner.”
Danner blinked. “Commissioner of what?”
Pierce’s voice became almost embarrassed. “Our department.”
The garden went completely silent except for water still trickling from the nozzle. Camille watched Danner’s face change.
His shoulders lowered. His voice changed before he even spoke.
“Commissioner Avery, I—” Camille raised one hand.
“No.” Danner stopped instantly.
She looked at him. “Do not speak to me differently now.”
He swallowed. “I didn’t know who you were.”
Camille stared at him. “That sentence is not helping you.”
Danner looked toward Pierce as if searching for another way to explain. Camille walked toward the hose, bent down, and shut off the nozzle.
Then she placed it beside the flower bed. “Now tell me why you sprayed the homeowner.”
Danner opened his mouth. No answer came immediately.
Camille waited. “Not the commissioner.”
He shifted. “You refused repeated instructions.”
“Was I threatening you?” “No.”
“Did I move toward you?” “No.”
“Did I attempt to flee?” “No.”
“Did I point anything at you?” Danner looked toward the hose.
Camille followed his eyes. “Careful.”
He looked away. “No.”
“Did I put the hose down when you instructed me to?” “Yes.”
Camille nodded. “Who picked it back up?”
Danner said nothing. Pierce looked at the ground.
Camille repeated the question. “Who picked up the hose after I complied?”
“I did.” “Why?”
“For control of the scene.” “What danger existed at that moment?”
Danner’s expression tightened. “You were refusing to move.”
“That is not a danger.” He said nothing.
Camille turned toward Pierce. “When did you first suggest verifying ownership?”
Pierce answered quietly. “Within the first couple minutes.”
“Why?” “Because it was easy to check.”
Camille nodded. “Thank you.”