“For what?”
“Until I determine whether you entered the closed section.”
“I didn’t.”
“That is what I’m determining.”
“Then ask security.”
“I am asking you.”
Daniel’s breathing sharpened.
The camera was trapped between them.
His right hand still rested on the grip.
Kessler’s fist held the chest strap.
Neither man moved.
Then a woman’s voice came from behind the officer.
“Sergeant.”
Kessler did not turn.
The woman spoke louder.
“Sergeant Kessler.”
Daniel recognized her before he saw her.
Not immediately.
The voice belonged to somewhere older.
Somewhere painful.
Kessler glanced over one shoulder.
A blonde woman stood twelve feet away holding a rose-colored phone horizontally.
She was recording.
Early forties.
Sun-reddened cheeks.
Denim jacket tied around her waist.
White blouse.
Daniel stared.
The woman stared back.
Her face changed.
“Oh my God.”
Daniel knew her.
Melissa Grant.
Four years earlier, Melissa had managed the Boardwalk Market kiosk beside the north ramp.
She was one of the witnesses to Ava’s fall.
Kessler looked from her to Daniel.
“You know him?”
Melissa kept the phone raised.
“Yes.”
Daniel barely heard her.
He was looking at the same woman whose statement had appeared in every legal file connected to his daughter’s death.
Witness observed decedent outside guardrail immediately prior to fall.
Those words had followed Ava everywhere after she was gone.
City investigators repeated them.
Insurance lawyers repeated them.
News articles paraphrased them.
Teen climbed beyond safety barrier while taking photographs.
Daniel’s former wife had eventually accepted the explanation.
Daniel never had.
Melissa stepped closer.
“Take your hand off his camera.”
Kessler turned toward her.
“Ma’am, stay back.”
“I’m staying right here.”
“You are interfering with a police contact.”
“I’m filming a police contact.”
Daniel looked at her.
Melissa’s hand trembled slightly.
Kessler finally released the harness.
Daniel stepped backward immediately.
The sergeant raised both hands.
“Do not leave.”
Daniel stared.
“Am I still detained?”
“Yes.”
“State the basis.”
Kessler’s face reddened.
Melissa kept filming.
People behind her were filming too now.
The officer looked toward Daniel’s camera.
“I have reasonable suspicion you entered or attempted to enter a restricted maintenance zone.”
Melissa spoke.
“He didn't.”
Kessler turned.
“You've been watching him?”
“Yes.”
“For how long?”
“Since he walked past my table.”
Daniel frowned.
“Your table?”
She nodded toward a small outdoor café fifty feet away.
“My sister and I were eating.”
Kessler looked irritated.
“This does not involve you.”
Melissa’s face changed.
“Yes.”
She looked at Daniel.
“It does.”
Daniel felt something cold move through him.
Kessler glanced between them.
“What does that mean?”
Melissa lowered the phone slightly.
Then raised it again.
“Four years ago, I gave a statement about his daughter.”
Daniel said nothing.
Kessler went still.
Melissa continued.