Walsh spun around. Does anyone else want to interfere with police business? No. Then mind your own. He turned back to Naomi.
Last chance. Show me ID and open that briefcase or we do this the hard way. Naomi reached slowly for her purse. Hands where I can see them. Walsh's hand flew to his weapon.
Morrison did the same. The lobby erupted in shocked gasps. Three people dove behind a pillar. Naomi froze, hands visible. Officer, I'm simply reaching for my identification, which you requested.
Don't move until I tell you to move. Her hands stayed perfectly still. I need to reach into my purse to get my ID. I'm going to do that now. Slowly.
Walsh's hand remained on his holster. Fine. Slow. She retrieved her wallet, extracted a card, extended it toward Walsh. He snatched it from her hand.
State of Oregon identification card. Official seal. Naomi's photo. In bold letters across the top: GOVERNOR. Walsh glanced at it for maybe two seconds.
This doesn't give you clearance to loiter in government buildings. He didn't read it. Not really. He saw a state ID and dismissed it. Morrison leaned over.
Walsh, does that say? It says she's got a state ID. So what? Everybody's got an ID. He tossed the card back at Naomi.
It landed on the bench beside her. Martinez, the security guard, took a step forward. Officers, perhaps I should check the... Martinez, back off. This doesn't concern you.
But sir, the visitor log. I said, back off. Martinez retreated, but his hand moved to the phone on his desk. Walsh grabbed Naomi's briefcase. Since you won't open it voluntarily, I'm conducting a search for weapons and contraband.
That's an illegal search. I don't consent. Your consent isn't required. He unzipped it roughly, dumping the contents on the bench. Architectural plans spilled out.
Budget spreadsheets. Official documents with state letterhead. A leather-bound planner with Office of the Governor embossed in gold. Walsh barely looked. State documents?
Where'd you steal these from? I didn't steal anything. Those are my work materials. Your work materials? Walsh laughed.
Right. What do you do? Clean the state office buildings. Morrison picked up the planner. His face went pale.
Walsh. This says... Put it down. But, Walsh... Put it down.
Morrison dropped it like it burned him. Naomi's phone rang. Walsh grabbed it from the bench. Who's this? Your accomplice?
The screen showed Chief of Staff, Office of the Governor. Walsh declined the call. Stop wasting government resources with fake contact names. He threw the phone back into her briefcase, cracking the screen. "That's destruction of property," Naomi said quietly.
Sue me. Walsh's hand went to her elbow. Come on, we're taking a little trip downtown. His grip was tight. Deliberately tight.
On what charge? We'll figure that out. Disorderly conduct for starters. Trespassing. Resisting.
Take your pick. I haven't resisted anything yet. Walsh pulled her to her feet. The elderly man spoke up. Officer, this is wrong.
She wasn't bothering anyone. Walsh wheeled on him. Sir, step back or you'll be arrested for interfering. The man retreated, hands up. Jessica Carter was already on her phone calling the mayor's office.
Her voice carried down from the balcony. "Ma'am, you need to get down here now. The police are arresting someone, and I think..." Walsh shouted up at her, "Miss, end that call immediately or I'll cite you for obstruction." She didn't end it.
Walsh radioed dispatch. Unit 74, need backup at city hall main lobby. Got a situation here. The radio crackled. Copy that, 74.
Nature of situation? Uncooperative individual. Refusing to leave government property. Possible theft of state documents. Copy.
"Sending unit 32." Morrison whispered urgently, "Walsh, I really think we should check with someone before..." "Before what? Before we do our job?" Walsh's voice rose.
This is exactly what's wrong with this department. Too scared to enforce the law because someone might complain. He produced handcuffs from his belt. The metal gleamed under the fluorescent lights. Turn around.
Hands behind your back. Naomi didn't move. "Officer Walsh, I'm going to say this once more. You're making a mistake." The only mistake here is yours, thinking you could waltz into a government building and do whatever you want. He grabbed her wrist.
Turn around now. Walsh. Morrison's voice cracked. Her ID. Did you actually read it?
I read it. State ID. Big deal. Turn around, ma'am. The front doors opened.
Two more officers entered. Sarah Kelly, 27, rookie, six months on the force. Tim Rodriguez, 45, 20-year veteran. Rodriguez took one look at the scene and his expression shifted. Recognition flickered across his face.
Walsh, what's going on? Rodriguez approached carefully. Trespasser found her with stolen state documents, refusing to cooperate. Kelly squinted at Naomi. Walsh, are you sure she's...
I'm sure. Rodriguez, help me restrain her. Rodriguez moved closer to Naomi. He looked directly at her face, then at the portrait on the wall, back to her face. His eyes went wide.
"Walsh, stop right now." "Excuse me?" "I said, stop."
Rodriguez's voice had urgency now. "Do not handcuff her." "Rodriguez, that's an order. I'm senior."
I don't care if you're the chief. That's... He lowered his voice, stepping between Walsh and Naomi. Walsh, look at her ID again. Actually, look at it.
I already looked at it. No, you didn't. Look at it. Walsh grabbed the ID card from the bench, irritated. His eyes scanned it quickly, then stopped.
His face went from red to white in 2 seconds. The card slipped from his fingers. Rodriguez picked it up, holding it where Kelly and Morrison could see. State of Oregon across the top, the state seal in gold embossing. And beneath Naomi's photo in capital letters, Governor Naomi Pierce.
Morrison made a choking sound. Kelly's hand flew to her mouth. Walsh just stared at the card, at Naomi, at the portrait on the wall. The portrait of Governor Naomi Pierce staring back at him. The lobby fell silent, not the quiet of before.
This was different, thicker, suffocating. Walsh's hand still hovered where he'd dropped the ID card. His mouth opened, closed. No words came out. Rodriguez's voice cut through the silence.
"Everyone heard me, right? That's Governor Pierce. The Governor Pierce." Morrison stumbled backward. "Oh God. Oh God."