Then she called Sergeant Reed.
“Have you identified the caller?”
“Yes. Robert Collins from Brookstone Property Services.”
“Do we know whether he was present at the property?”
“Not yet.”
“Did Officer Harris know him?”
“We're checking.”
Carter opened the body camera timeline.
She compared the dispatch time with the time Mark arrived.
Then she looked at the report.
Something was missing.
The officer had written that Daniel became physically resistant.
But the dispatch call did not describe any immediate threat.
Carter decided to interview Robert Collins.
***
Robert Collins arrived at the department the following morning.
He was a man in his late forties, wearing a dark business suit and carrying a leather briefcase.
He looked uncomfortable when he entered the interview room.
Lieutenant Carter introduced herself.
“Thank you for coming.”
Robert nodded.
“I understand this concerns the property complaint.”
“Correct. I'd like you to explain why you contacted dispatch.”
Robert placed his briefcase beside the chair.
“There was a disagreement over a fence.”
“What kind of disagreement?”
“A maintenance contractor needed access to the boundary area. The resident refused.”
“Was the resident Daniel Brooks?”
“Yes.”
“Did he threaten the contractor?”
“No.”
“Did he assault anyone?”
“No.”
“Did he damage the fence?”
Robert hesitated.
“I was told that he had.”
“By whom?”
“The contractor.”
“Did you personally inspect the damage?”
“No.”
“Did you have photographs?”
“I believe the company has some.”
Carter wrote that down.
“Why did you call the police?”
“We wanted someone to help resolve the dispute.”
“Did you ask for Daniel Brooks to be arrested?”
“No.”
“Did you tell the dispatcher that he was dangerous?”
“I don't think so.”
Carter played the recording.
Robert listened.
When it ended, he shifted in his chair.
“That sounds like my call.”
“Did you say the resident was refusing access?”
“Yes.”
“Did you say he had damaged the fence?”
“I said there was a report of damage.”
“Did you explain that the boundary ownership had not been confirmed?”
Robert looked down.
“No.”
“Why not?”
“I didn't think it was relevant.”
Carter turned a page.
“Did you know Officer Harris before this incident?”
Robert hesitated again.
“We've met.”
“How many times?”
“A few.”
“Professional meetings?”
“Yes.”
“Did you discuss the Brooks property with him before the day of the incident?”
Robert looked at her.
“I don't remember.”
Carter held his gaze.
“Mr. Collins, this investigation is examining the circumstances surrounding a physical encounter with an elderly resident. I need accurate answers.”
Robert swallowed.
“I may have spoken to him once about the property.”
“When?”
“A few days before.”
“Where?”
“Near the property.”
“What did you discuss?”
Robert rubbed his forehead.
“I told him there was a dispute and that we needed to resolve access.”
“Did you ask him to make Daniel Brooks leave the property?”
“No.”
“Did you ask him to remove the plants or fence?”
“No.”
Carter closed her notebook.
“Do you have any documents relating to the boundary dispute?”
“Yes. The company has the inspection request, photographs, and correspondence.”
“Please provide copies.”
Robert nodded.
Carter continued.
“Do you know a former employee named Kevin?”
Robert's expression changed.
“Kevin?”
“Kevin worked for your company?”
“Yes.”
“Is he still employed there?”
“No. He left last month.”
“Do you know why?”
Robert looked away.
“Not exactly.”
Carter watched him carefully.
“Did he handle the Brooks property?”
“He was involved in maintenance scheduling.”
“Did he raise concerns about the complaint?”
Robert did not answer immediately.
Then he said, “He thought we should confirm the boundary before sending anyone.”
Carter made a note.
“Thank you. We'll follow up if we need anything else.”
When Robert left, Carter remained in the room.
She had not established that the property dispute was the reason for the officer's physical actions.
But she had identified a possible connection between the original complaint, the property manager, and the officer.
The investigation was becoming more complicated.
***
That evening, David received another phone call.
This time, the caller identified himself as Kevin.
David answered cautiously.
“Hello?”
“Mr. Brooks?”
“Yes.”
“My name is Kevin. I came to your neighbor's house with some documents.”
David stood from the sofa.
“I know who you are.”
“I wanted to explain something.”
“What?”
Kevin paused.
“I worked for Brookstone Property Services. I was assigned to the property next to your father's house.”
David looked toward Daniel, who was resting in the living room.
“What do you want?”
“I don't want to get involved in a fight. But I think the complaint was misleading.”
“Why?”
“Because your father didn't damage the fence. The maintenance team had already been told that the boundary needed to be checked.”
David tightened his grip on the phone.
“Then why did someone report him?”
“I don't know exactly. But I was asked to prepare a report saying he had refused access.”
“Did he refuse?”
“He said we needed proof that the fence belonged to the property before moving anything.”
David was silent.
Kevin continued.
“That was reasonable. The survey wasn't complete.”
“Then why didn't you say that?”
“I did.”
“What happened?”
“My manager told me to keep the report simple.”
David frowned.
“Who?”
“Robert Collins.”
David looked toward the window.
“Did you tell the police?”
“Not yet.”
“Why not?”