Cops Arrested Her At College Graduation — Then Her Father and 20 Marines Stood Up
Chapter 6
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Calvin's eyes blazed with sudden hope. "You have it all?""Every second." Jasmine glanced nervously at the security room. "The system automatically backs up everything during events: audio, video, intercom communications.""What about before the arrest?" Calvin stepped closer, lowering his voice. "Did President Hart say anything over the intercom?"Jasmine nodded quickly. "She was communicating with security about twenty minutes before Officer Mercer approached your daughter. She mentioned something about a situation that needed immediate resolution."Calvin's hands clenched into fists. "She set this up."Heavy footsteps announced Sergeant Cole's arrival. His uniform was crisp and professional, a stark contrast to Mercer's increasingly disheveled appearance. He surveyed the backstage area with experienced eyes, taking note of the camera positions and equipment."Miss?" He addressed Jasmine directly."Jasmine Price. I run the technical side of graduation ceremonies."Cole pulled out his notepad. "Those recordings you mentioned—don't delete anything. Don't alter anything. Don't let anyone else access them without my direct authorization.""Yes, sir." Jasmine clutched her phone tighter. "Should I make copies?""Not yet. Just preserve everything exactly as it is." Cole made notes as he spoke. "How long do the backups retain data?""Indefinitely, unless someone manually deletes them."Calvin pointed toward the security room. "Sergeant, my daughter is in there with an officer who's already lied about what happened."Cole studied the doorway where Vale still stood watch. "Officer Vale, your body camera stays active. No bathroom breaks, no equipment adjustments, no convenient malfunctions."Vale nodded stiffly. "Understood, Sergeant."Inside the security room, Mercer had pulled a folded paper from his jacket pocket. He smoothed it across the metal desk with deliberate care, the document crisp and official-looking. Nia could see typed text, but the handcuffs prevented her from reading it clearly."Here's your statement," Mercer announced. "Everything nice and legal."Nia squinted at the paper. Even from her awkward angle, she could make out key phrases: the document claimed she had entered the graduation ceremony under a false identity and had struck a police officer during questioning."These allegations contradict each other," she said flatly.Mercer's eyebrows shot up. "What?""If I entered under a false identity, how did you verify my real name to write this statement?" Nia's voice carried the precision of someone trained in military briefings. "And if I was impersonating someone else, why does the paper identify me correctly as Nia Lawson?"Mercer's jaw tightened. "Don't get smart with me.""I'm pointing out that your own document contradicts your accusation."The officer leaned against the desk, his bulk casting a shadow over the chair. "Here's what's going to happen: you sign this statement, and I remove those cuffs. You get to walk out of here and maybe salvage what's left of your graduation."Nia met his stare without flinching. "And if I don't sign?""Then you stay in handcuffs while I file additional charges: obstruction of justice, failure to comply with lawful orders—whatever I think fits."