Through the window, more camera flashes illuminated the parking lot. Clara Vance pushed through the gathered reporters, her press badge catching the light. Inside, she pulled out her phone, comparing the bystander videos she'd seen online with the scene unfolding before her. The department's attempt to minimize the incident already clashed with the raw footage showing Rourke's aggressive approach and Evelyn's calm dignity.
Evelyn's phone buzzed: a secure video call from Raymond. His face appeared on the screen, command presence intact despite the worry in his eyes.
"I can be there in two hours," he said without preamble. "The Joint Chiefs will understand."
"No," Evelyn replied firmly. "Stay where you have the most impact. This isn't about using rank to fix one incident. It's about making sure they can't bury what happened."
"You're sure?" His concern was evident even through the encrypted connection.
"I'm sure. Use the channels that matter. Make the system work the way it should." Evelyn's voice held the same steady authority it had maintained throughout the ordeal.
A knock at the door preceded Chief Keats' entrance. She'd switched to a more conciliatory tone, but tension lined her face.
"Mrs. Brooks, we can have an officer drive you to a hotel," she offered. "There's no need to deal with the media circus out front."
"Actually, there is," Sonya interjected. "My client was publicly humiliated without cause. She'll leave publicly on her own terms, not sneaked out the back like someone who has something to hide."
"The department has apologized—" Keats began.
"Verbally," Sonya cut in. "While maintaining pending charges and refusing to acknowledge wrongdoing. That's not an apology, Chief Keats. That's damage control."
Outside the interview room, Clara watched Officer Halverson slump at his desk, staring at his incident report. His discomfort was visible as he glanced between the blank form and his body camera footage playing silently on his monitor.
Rourke paced near the break room, his earlier arrogance curdled into defensive anger. "She was argumentative," he muttered to anyone who would listen. "Refusing to comply—"
"The videos show otherwise," Clara spoke up, making notes. "In fact, they show quite clearly that you escalated without cause."
Rourke's face darkened. "Press isn't allowed back here."