“Start from the beginning.”
Mark took a breath.
“I responded to a complaint at the property. The homeowner became uncooperative.”
“Which homeowner?”
“Daniel Brooks.”
“What was the complaint?”
“Possible property disturbance.”
“Possible?”
Mark hesitated.
“That's how it came through.”
Reed looked at him.
“What did you observe when you arrived?”
“A dispute involving the property.”
“Did you speak with the homeowner?”
“Yes.”
“What happened next?”
“He became physically resistant.”
Reed studied his face.
“Was he injured before the son came outside?”
Mark's jaw tightened.
“He was not seriously injured.”
“That wasn't my question.”
Mark looked away.
Reed waited.
Finally, Mark said, “I had to restrain him.”
“Why?”
“He was refusing instructions.”
“Did he threaten you?”
“No.”
“Did he attempt to strike you?”
Mark paused.
“Not initially.”
Reed's expression hardened.
“Not initially?”
“The son came outside and attacked me.”
“Did you call for assistance before the confrontation?”
“No.”
“Why not?”
“It happened quickly.”
Reed looked toward the house.
“Where is the body camera footage?”
Mark shifted in his seat.
“My camera was activated.”
“Good. We'll need the footage.”
Mark nodded.
Reed continued.
“Any witnesses?”
“An older woman from next door.”
“Did you speak with her?”
“She was interfering.”
“Did she see the incident?”
“I don't know.”
“Did she record it?”
Mark said nothing.
Reed noticed the silence.
“Mark?”
“She may have.”
Reed took out his phone.
“Then we need to preserve every recording and document every action taken at the scene.”
Mark looked at him.
“Sergeant, the son assaulted me.”
“If that's what happened, the evidence will establish it.”
“It was self-defense on my part.”
“Then the footage should support that.”
Mark stared at the steering wheel.
Reed stepped back.
“Do not contact the family. Do not approach the witness. Do not discuss the incident with anyone outside the official process.”
Mark nodded.
But his expression suggested he was not satisfied.
***
By early evening, Emily arrived at the hospital.
She rushed through the emergency department and found David sitting beside a vending machine.
“Where is he?”
David stood.
“Back there. They're waiting for the results.”
Emily looked at his face.
“Oh my God. David, what happened to you?”
“It's nothing.”
“Your nose is swollen.”
“I know.”
“Did the officer do this?”
David did not answer immediately.
Emily placed both hands on his shoulders.
“Look at me.”
He looked up.
“Tell me what happened.”
David explained the confrontation in short sentences.
He described hearing the shouting, walking outside, and seeing the officer holding their father's shirt.
He described trying to make the officer release him.
Then he described the fight.
Emily listened without interrupting.
When he finished, she looked toward the examination room.
“Where was Dad when you started fighting?”
“Behind me.”
“Was he standing?”
“Not for long.”
Emily swallowed.
“Did he hit his head?”
“Yes.”
She covered her mouth.
For several seconds, neither spoke.
Then she sat down beside him.
“Why didn't you call me?”
“It happened too quickly.”
“David, you don't have to handle everything alone.”
He looked at the floor.
“I wasn't thinking.”
“I know.”
“I saw him holding Dad, and I just…”
His voice stopped.
Emily reached for his hand.
“You were scared.”
David nodded.
“I thought he was going to hurt him.”
Emily leaned against his shoulder.
“Let's wait for the doctor.”
They sat together in silence.
***
A little later, Dr. Patel approached them.
“Family of Daniel Brooks?”
Both siblings stood.
“I'm his daughter,” Emily said.
“And I'm his son.”
The doctor nodded.
“Your father is stable. The imaging has not shown a major internal injury, which is encouraging. However, he has a concussion and bruising along his side. We want to monitor him for a while because he reported dizziness and nausea.”
Emily closed her eyes in relief.
“Can we see him?”
“Yes. One at a time for now.”
David looked at the doctor.
“Is he going to recover?”
“We expect him to improve, but he needs rest and observation. We'll explain the next steps once we've completed the assessment.”
“Thank you.”
The doctor turned toward David.
“We also have a recommendation for you. Your injuries should be fully assessed. We don't want you ignoring a possible fracture.”
David nodded.
Emily looked at him.
“You heard him.”
“I heard him.”
They followed the nurse toward Daniel's room.
Their father was lying in bed with a monitor attached to his finger.
His face looked pale beneath the hospital lights.
Emily approached first.
“Dad?”
Daniel slowly opened his eyes.
“Emily.”
She leaned down and kissed his forehead.
“Oh, Dad.”
“Why are you crying?”
“Because you scared us.”
Daniel gave a faint smile.
“I'm still here.”
Emily held his hand.
“Don't ever do that again.”
Daniel looked confused.
“Fall down?”
She laughed through her tears.
“Exactly.”
David stood at the other side of the bed.
Daniel turned toward him.
“Did you get your nose checked?”
“Yes.”
“And?”
“They're checking it.”
Daniel nodded.
“Good.”
David pulled a chair closer.
“Dad, I need to tell you something.”
Daniel looked at him.
“What is it?”
“I shouldn't have lost control.”
Emily glanced at her brother.
David continued.
“I saw him grabbing you. I didn't think. I just went after him.”
Daniel squeezed his hand weakly.