She said finally the boy swallowed hard but didn't look away inside the police station the shift in atmosphere was palpable officers who had been laughing minutes ago now whispered among themselves checking their phones glancing toward the holding cells the station Chief stormed out of his office a phone pressed to his ear his voice sharp how the hell did this get out so fast the officer at the desk shifted uncomfortably I don't know sir but it's everywhere the chief swore under his breath where's Carter still in holding get him processed now. Raymond sat up straighter when he saw the movement outside his cell the energy in the station had changed something had shifted the officer who had ignored him earlier now looked uneasy as he approached the bars looks like you're getting your phone call. Raymond didn't move right away he let the moment sit watching the officer's expression shift then slowly. He stood. Lisa had done her job now it was time for the rest of the world to do theirs.
Raymond sat at the metal table in the dimly lit processing room a landline phone pressed against his ear his ribs achd every time he inhaled and his knuckles were still stiff from being cuffed too tightly the air smelled like coffee and ink the usual stench of a station where too many people had been processed before him. Lisa's voice came through the line steady but urgent they just let you make this call. She asked. Raymond exhaled only because they don't have a choice anymore they know what's happening. Lisa said the video's everywhere and the pressure is mounting but they're already trying to spin it.
Raymond rubbed his Temple wincing at the lingering pain from the officer's baton let me guess big black guy attacks officers they had to defend themselves exactly. Lisa confirmed but it's not holding too many people saw what really happened she hesitated and there's more someone else was recording. Raymond sat up straighter who a kid high schooler he was down the street when it happened caught the whole thing from another angle his footage is even worse for them it shows the first officer checking if his body cam was off before they started hitting you. Raymond clenched his jaw that's a GameChanger it is. Lisa agreed but there was hesitation in her voice what's the problem.
Raymond asked heun's scared. Lisa admitted wonk give me his name says he doesn't want to get involved doesn't trust the police to leave him alone if they find out he filmed it. Raymond leaned back in his chair the chain on his cuffs rattling slightly he understood the fear a kid with footage like that he had every reason to be afraid of the retaliation we need to protect him. Raymond said he can't do this alone I told him we can blur his face keep his identity out of it but he's still hesitant. Lisa said I need you to talk to him.
Raymond exhaled through his nose give me his number I don't have it. Lisa admitted but he agreed to meet with me said if I brought you into the conversation he might reconsider. Raymond nodded then let's set it up. Lisa hesitated. Raymond they're trying to turn this into a circus some media Outlets are already calling you a repeat offender even though you've never been arrested before doesn't surprise me.
He said they'll do anything to make me the bad guy they've got officers saying you resisted arrest. Lisa added that you were aggressive raymon let out a bitter chuckle the footage proves otherwise yeah. Lisa said her voice tight but they're going to keep throwing everything they can at you. Raymond's fingers tapped against the table his mind already working through the situation then we keep pushing we get that kid's footage out there the more proof we have the harder it is for them to rewrite the truth. Lisa was quiet for a moment then.
She said all right I'll set up the meeting just hold tight this is isn't over yet. Raymond smirked despite the pain in his ribs it's just getting started as he hung up the phone. He glanced at the officers lingering near the door they weren't smiling anymore. Lisa's report was gaining traction the footage was going viral and now they had even more evidence coming the truth was out and the fight wasn't over. Raymond sat in the holding cell his back against the cold cinder block wall his wrists resting on on his knees the air in the station felt different now officers moved with less certainty some avoiding his gaze alt together others sneaking quick glances at him like he was a loose thread in the fabric of their power something they didn't quite know how to handle the video was out and they knew it but they weren't backing down his conversation with.