Captain Robert Mitchell: "Stand up, Officer Brooks."
Daniel stood.
Captain Robert Mitchell: "We're going to discuss what happened in the hallway."
Daniel Brooks: "I've already explained everything, sir."
Captain Robert Mitchell: "I have reviewed the security footage."
Daniel's expression changed.
Daniel Brooks: "You have?"
Captain Robert Mitchell: "Yes."
Daniel Brooks: "Then you understand that she was being difficult."
Robert placed a folder on the desk.
Captain Robert Mitchell: "I understand that you made physical contact with a woman who was not presenting an immediate threat."
Daniel Brooks: "I was trying to control the situation."
Captain Robert Mitchell: "By pushing her?"
Daniel Brooks: "She moved toward me."
Captain Robert Mitchell: "The footage shows otherwise."
Daniel looked away.
For a moment, he said nothing.
Robert continued.
Captain Robert Mitchell: "You also failed to arrange medical assistance immediately after she was injured."
Daniel Brooks: "I didn't think the injury was serious."
Captain Robert Mitchell: "You are not qualified to dismiss a head injury without an assessment."
Daniel Brooks: "I understand, sir."
Captain Robert Mitchell: "Do you?"
Daniel did not answer.
Robert opened the folder and placed several photographs on the desk.
They showed the scattered documents and the location where Emily had fallen.
Captain Robert Mitchell: "I want you to explain why you approached her so aggressively."
Daniel Brooks: "She was refusing to follow instructions."
Captain Robert Mitchell: "Which instruction?"
Daniel Brooks: "I told her to put down the documents."
Captain Robert Mitchell: "And why was that necessary?"
Daniel Brooks: "Because I needed to verify what she was carrying."
Captain Robert Mitchell: "Did you ask the receptionist to confirm her appointment?"
Daniel hesitated.
Daniel Brooks: "No."
Captain Robert Mitchell: "Did you check her identification?"
Daniel Brooks: "No, sir."
Captain Robert Mitchell: "Did you attempt to contact the administrative department?"
Daniel Brooks: "No."
Robert leaned forward.
Captain Robert Mitchell: "Then explain why you decided that the appropriate response was to intimidate her."
Daniel's face became red.
Daniel Brooks: "I wasn't intimidating anyone."
Captain Robert Mitchell: "The witnesses disagree. The recording disagrees. And the injured woman has provided an account that is consistent with the footage."
Daniel Brooks: "Everyone is making assumptions."
Captain Robert Mitchell: "Then give me facts."
Daniel remained silent.
Robert waited several seconds.
Captain Robert Mitchell: "Did you know Emily Carter before this morning?"
Daniel looked up.
Daniel Brooks: "No."
Captain Robert Mitchell: "Had you ever spoken to her?"
Daniel Brooks: "No."
Captain Robert Mitchell: "Then why did you react as though her presence was a personal problem?"
Daniel Brooks: "I was having a difficult morning."
Robert stared at him.
Captain Robert Mitchell: "Having a difficult morning does not excuse abusing your authority."
Daniel's shoulders dropped slightly.
He seemed to realize that his previous explanations were no longer convincing.
Robert closed the folder.
Captain Robert Mitchell: "You will remain away from the injured woman and all witnesses while the incident is reviewed. You will also provide a complete written account."
Daniel Brooks: "Can I at least explain what happened to my supervisor?"
Captain Robert Mitchell: "You may provide your account through the proper procedure."
Daniel Brooks: "I have worked here for four years. I've never had a problem like this."
Robert looked at him carefully.
Captain Robert Mitchell: "Then you should have no difficulty cooperating with the investigation."
Daniel nodded reluctantly.
But Robert was not finished.
Captain Robert Mitchell: "One more question. Why did you say that your body camera malfunctioned?"
Daniel Brooks: "It stopped working."
Captain Robert Mitchell: "When did you notice?"
Daniel Brooks: "Earlier."
Captain Robert Mitchell: "How much earlier?"
Daniel Brooks: "I don't remember exactly."
Robert wrote something in his notebook.
Captain Robert Mitchell: "You will provide the time and circumstances in your written report."
Daniel Brooks: "Yes, sir."
Robert left the room.
As soon as the door closed, Daniel sat down heavily.
He stared at the desk.
His confidence had begun to disappear.
He knew the security recording showed what had happened.
He also knew that several people had witnessed the confrontation.
But he was more worried about something else.
The conversation he had held with Victor Hayes earlier that morning.
If Robert discovered why that conversation had taken place, the investigation could become far more complicated.
At that moment, Victor Hayes was in his office reviewing a stack of administrative files.
He was in his late forties and had worked at the courthouse for nearly fifteen years.
He was responsible for coordinating visitor access, reviewing certain administrative requests, and communicating with security personnel.
He had a reputation for being strict.
Some employees considered him efficient.
Others believed he was unnecessarily controlling.
When Daniel entered his office, Victor looked up.
Victor Hayes: "What are you doing here?"
Daniel Brooks: "I need to speak with you."
Victor Hayes: "About what?"
Daniel closed the door.
Daniel Brooks: "The woman from this morning."
Victor immediately stopped writing.
Victor Hayes: "What about her?"
Daniel Brooks: "The captain is investigating the incident."
Victor Hayes: "What incident?"
Daniel Brooks: "Don't pretend you don't know."
Victor looked toward the door.
Victor Hayes: "Lower your voice."
Daniel Brooks: "The security footage has been reviewed. There were witnesses. The captain is asking questions."
Victor leaned back in his chair.
For a moment, neither man spoke.
Victor Hayes: "Did you tell him about our conversation?"
Daniel Brooks: "No."
Victor Hayes: "Good. Then don't."
Daniel Brooks: "You don't understand. He has already seen the recording."
Victor's expression became tense.
Victor Hayes: "What exactly did the recording show?"
Daniel Brooks: "Everything."
Victor slowly placed his pen on the desk.
Victor Hayes: "Listen carefully. You need to stop talking about this with people."
Daniel Brooks: "I'm the one facing the investigation."
Victor Hayes: "And you need to handle it professionally."