The font was Times New Roman, 12 point. Each citation included the full statutory text in parenthetical. The desk officer, a woman named Corporal Annayia, looked at Wendell through the partition. How can I help you?
"I'd like to file a formal complaint regarding the conduct of an officer toward a minor on a public-access newspaper delivery route." Corporal Annayia reached below the counter and produced a single page form. She slid it through the slot. Fill this out and return it to the window. Wendell slid the manila envelope through the slot instead.
"I've prepared a detailed filing, seven incidents documented over eight months. I'm requesting that the complaint be forwarded to your precinct commander and to the Internal Affairs Division for review." Annayia opened the envelope. She read the first page. She read the second page.
By the third page, she had stopped scanning and was reading every word. She looked up. I'll make sure this reaches Captain Granger. I'd appreciate a receipt confirming delivery.
Annayia paused. Civilians did not ask for receipts. Civilians filled out the one-page form, left it at the window, and went home. I can note your name and the date.
That would be fine. The name is Wendell Ka. K A I N E. She wrote it down.
She filed the envelope. She gave him a copy of the intake stamp. Wendell walked out. Captain Niles Granger received the complaint at 10:40 a.m. He read it in his office with the door closed.
He read all seven pages. He noted the statutory citations. He noted the formatting. He noted that the complaint named Sergeant Barrett Tull by badge number in six of the seven incidents and officer Colton Briggs by badge number and two.