“Detained for what?”
“Interfering with an investigation.”
“What investigation?”
“Keep talking.”
David went quiet.
Not out of submission.
Because Harlan’s body camera was running.
And now every unnecessary word Harlan spoke belonged to the record.
Deputy Sarah Miller arrived six minutes later.
She was thirty-one and had worked patrol for four years.
The moment she entered, she sensed something was wrong.
Food covered the floor.
One man’s hoodie was soaked.
Customers were recording.
Harlan looked furious.
The two supposedly dangerous detainees stood beside a booth with their hands visible.
Miller approached.
“What happened?”
Harlan answered quickly.
“Two subjects creating a disturbance. Refused lawful commands. One made a movement toward a concealed object.”
David said:
“My federal credential case.”
Miller looked at him.
Then Harlan.
“He's federal?”
“So he says.”
David slowly removed the case after receiving permission.
Miller examined it.
Her expression changed.
Not because David suddenly deserved better treatment.
Because the report Harlan had just given her became less coherent.
“What was the original call?”
Harlan said:
“Harassment complaint.”
“Dispatch call?”
“No. Walk-up.”
“Complainant?”
Harlan pointed toward Earl.
Miller looked toward the man.
Earl suddenly became fascinated by his coffee.
“Anybody assaulted?”
“Not before they became uncooperative.”
Marcus stared.
“Not before?”
Miller looked at him.
Marcus pointed at the floor.
“He dumped our food.”
Then at his soaked clothes.
“And threw water in my face.”
Harlan said:
“He stood aggressively.”
Carla finally spoke.
“No, he didn’t.”
Everyone turned.
Harlan’s face tightened.
Carla placed the coffeepot down.
“He stood after you knocked the food over.”
Harlan said:
“Stay out of this, Carla.”
She blinked.
Then something changed in her expression.
“I’ve worked here fourteen years, Rick.”
“Then you should know better than to interfere with police business.”
Carla stared at him.
“I also know where every camera in this building points.”
Silence.
Harlan looked toward the ceiling.
For the first time that afternoon, he noticed them.
Three black domes.
One directly over the booths.
Deputy Miller asked Harlan to step outside.
He refused at first.
“I’ve got this.”
“Sergeant, there are two competing allegations now.”
“I'm your supervisor.”
“Yes.”
Her voice remained respectful.
“And one of the allegations is against you.”
The diner became so quiet that everyone heard it.
Harlan stared at her.
David watched carefully.
This moment mattered.
More than the credential reveal.
Miller was a subordinate.
Harlan could affect her evaluations.
Shift assignments.
Training opportunities.