“You people?”
Cole noticed the phrase too late.
“Passengers.”
Simone held his eyes.
“Of course.”
He stepped even closer.
“You want to keep pushing?”
Simone looked at the body camera centered on his uniform.
A small indicator showed it was recording.
Then she looked back at him.
“No.”
She said quietly.
“You’re doing enough without help.”
Officer Whitfield’s expression changed.
Cole heard it.
“What is that supposed to mean?”
Simone reached toward her handbag.
Cole immediately raised one hand.
“Don't reach inside that bag.”
She stopped.
Both hands visible.
“May I retrieve identification?”
Cole stared.
“What identification?”
“Mine.”
“Why?”
“Because you asked who I am.”
“I didn't.”
“You asked why I believe I can question you.”
“That’s not the same.”
Simone waited.
Cole looked around.
Pedestrians watching.
Leon against the taxi.
Whitfield.
Body camera.
His own anger becoming more visible by the second.
He nodded.
“Slowly.”
Simone opened the handbag.
Her movements were deliberate.
Inside sat a slim black case.
Hard-sided.
Smaller than a notebook.
She removed it.
Cole smirked.
“What is that?”
Simone held the case in one hand.
“Something you should probably see before you say anything else.”
Cole laughed.
“Lady, if that's some corporate card, I don't care who you work for.”
Simone opened it.
The laugh disappeared.
Official seal.
Photograph.
Credential.
Department of Justice.
Civil Rights Division.
Senior Counsel and Special Investigator.
DR. SIMONE A. BENNETT
Cole stared.
Officer Whitfield took one involuntary step forward.
Leon slowly lifted his head from the taxi.
Simone rotated the case slightly so Cole could see everything clearly.
Then closed it.
Cole’s mouth opened.
Nothing came out.
Simone said:
“No, Sergeant.”
Her voice remained calm.
“The handbag isn't what should concern you.”
She looked toward his body camera.
“That should.”
Cole’s face lost color.
“What are you doing here?”
“Working.”
“On what?”
Simone held his gaze.
“Your traffic unit.”
Silence.
Even downtown traffic seemed to recede.
Cole looked toward Whitfield.
Whitfield looked away.
Simone continued:
“For three weeks my office has been reviewing civil-rights complaints involving commercial-driver stops in this district.”
Cole’s jaw tightened again.
The fear was changing.
Becoming defensiveness.
“You set me up.”
Simone almost smiled.
“I got into a taxi.”
“You were waiting for me.”
“No.”
“You knew I was working this zone.”
“I knew your unit operates downtown.”
“That’s the same thing.”
“It isn't.”
She stepped slightly toward Leon.
“Mr. Carter had no idea who I was.”
Leon looked at her.
“No, ma’am.”
Cole said:
“This was a lawful stop.”
Simone nodded.
“Then the recording will support you.”
That silenced him.
Officer Whitfield spoke for the first time.
“Sergeant.”
Cole turned.
“What?”
“We should call Lieutenant Grant.”
Cole stared at him.
“You think?”
Whitfield ignored the sarcasm.
“Yes.”
Simone said:
“Do that.”
Cole looked toward her.
“You don't give orders to my officer.”
Simone answered:
“I’m not.”
She glanced at Whitfield.
“I’m agreeing with his judgment.”
Whitfield reached for his radio.
Cole stepped toward him.
“Hold on.”
Simone’s voice sharpened.
“No.”
All three men looked at her.
It was the first time she had raised even a fraction of authority.
“Do not interfere with another officer contacting supervision after a potentially reportable use of force.”
Cole’s face hardened.
“You calling that force?”
“You shoved a fifty-four-year-old man into a vehicle.”
“He resisted.”
Leon immediately said:
“No, I didn't.”
Cole pointed.
“Stay quiet.”
Simone’s eyes narrowed.
“Do not tell a witness to remain silent.”
Cole turned toward her.
“I’m still in charge of this stop.”
Simone opened the credential case again.
“No.”
She paused.
“You are now involved in the incident under review.”
Whitfield keyed his radio.
“Dispatch, Unit 624 requesting watch commander at Ellis and Peachtree.”
Cole stood perfectly still.
Simone moved toward Leon.
“Mr. Carter, are you injured?”
“My shoulder.”
“Can you move it?”
Leon rotated carefully.
Pain.
“Yes.”
“Any head impact?”
“No.”
“Do you want medical care?”
Cole interrupted.
“He doesn't need an ambulance.”
Simone turned.
“You are not making that decision.”
Cole’s face flushed.
Whitfield looked increasingly uncomfortable.
Leon said:
“I don't need an ambulance.”
Simone nodded.
“Clinic evaluation?”
“Yes.”
“Good.”
She looked toward Whitfield.
“Please preserve the current scene until your supervisor arrives.”
Whitfield nodded.
Cole laughed bitterly.
“So now you are giving orders.”
Simone looked at him.
“No.”
“I’m giving you something you failed to give Mr. Carter.”
“What?”
“A clear reason.”
The supervisor arrived nine minutes later.
Lieutenant Marcus Grant.
Forty-nine.
Black.
Twenty-four years in policing.
He exited the SUV.
Saw Leon leaning beside the taxi.
Cole standing rigidly.
Whitfield near the cruiser.
Simone in red with the black case in her hand.
He recognized her before she spoke.
“Dr. Bennett.”
Cole closed his eyes briefly.
Grant looked around.
“What happened?”
Simone said:
“Lieutenant, I need to recuse from directing any investigation arising from the incident.”
Grant immediately understood.
“You witnessed it?”
“Yes.”
“Involved?”
“Verbally.”
“Physical contact?”
“No.”
“Driver?”
“Sergeant Cole shoved him into the vehicle.”
Grant looked at Leon.
“Sir, are you all right?”
“My shoulder hurts.”
Grant nodded.
“Medical is coming.”
Leon started:
“I said I don't need—”
“Not ambulance transport unless you want it.”
Grant clarified.
“Just evaluation.”
Leon relaxed.
“Okay.”
Grant turned to Cole.
“Body camera?”
“On.”
“Whitfield?”
“On.”
Grant looked at the taxi.
“Dash camera?”
Leon nodded.
“Yes.”
That surprised everyone.
Cole looked toward him.
“You have a camera?”
Leon almost smiled.
“Insurance company requires it.”
Simone looked at Cole.
The sergeant’s face changed again.
Another source of evidence.
Grant said:
“No one accesses or alters any recording.”
Then to dispatch:
“Mark Units 624 and 611 for preservation.”
He looked toward Leon.
“Mr. Carter, we'll get your taxi camera copied with your consent or appropriate process.”
Leon nodded.
“Fine.”
Grant turned toward Cole.
“You're relieved from this stop.”
Cole’s jaw tightened.
“Lieutenant.”
“You'll return to headquarters.”
“Am I suspended?”
“Not on this street.”
Grant’s tone stayed controlled.
“You will have representation and process.”
Cole looked toward Simone.
“This is because of her.”