Grayson immediately raised his pistol.
OFFICER GRAYSON:
"STOP! DON'T REACH INSIDE YOUR JACKET!"
Daniel froze.
For the first time since the officers had arrived, the entire backyard fell completely silent.
Even the children stopped crying.
Every eye was fixed on Daniel's hand.
He looked at the armed officer, then briefly toward the woman who had started the entire confrontation.
His expression was no longer confused.
It was controlled, serious, and deeply disappointed.
DANIEL:
"You came here believing everything you were told."
He paused.
DANIEL:
"But you never bothered to find out who I am."
And with that, Daniel carefully reached into his jacket.
PART 2/3
Daniel's fingers slowly closed around the object inside his jacket.
Grayson kept his pistol trained on him.
OFFICER GRAYSON:
"I SAID DON'T MOVE!"
Daniel stopped immediately.
DANIEL:
"I'm not reaching for a weapon. I'm retrieving identification."
OFFICER GRAYSON:
"Take your hand out. Slowly!"
Daniel carefully withdrew a small black leather wallet from his inner pocket.
He held it between two fingers, making sure the officer could see it.
DANIEL:
"This is what I was trying to show you."
Grayson did not lower his weapon.
OFFICER GRAYSON:
"Drop it on the ground."
Daniel looked at him.
DANIEL:
"It's an official identification credential. You can examine it, but I want your partner to retrieve it."
Officer Bennett glanced at Grayson.
OFFICER BENNETT:
"Sir, place it on the ground and step back."
Daniel followed the instruction.
He gently placed the wallet on the pavement and took two steps backward.
Bennett approached cautiously.
He bent down, picked it up, and opened it.
For a moment, his expression remained neutral.
Then he looked again.
His eyebrows drew together.
He examined the photograph, the official seal, and the information printed beneath it.
His eyes moved toward Daniel.
Then he looked at Grayson.
OFFICER BENNETT:
"Sergeant..."
GRAYSON:
"What?"
BENNETT:
"You need to look at this."
GRAYSON:
"Just tell me what it is."
Bennett hesitated.
OFFICER BENNETT:
"He's a former federal law enforcement official."
Grayson frowned.
OFFICER GRAYSON:
"So what? That doesn't change anything."
Bennett continued reading.
OFFICER BENNETT:
"His credentials are legitimate. The identification lists his previous federal assignment and his service history."
Daniel remained silent.
He had not brought out the credential to intimidate anyone.
He had simply wanted the officers to understand that he knew the procedures they were supposed to follow.
Grayson finally lowered his pistol a few inches, although his expression remained hostile.
OFFICER GRAYSON:
"That doesn't give you special privileges."
DANIEL:
"I never said it did."
OFFICER GRAYSON:
"Then why didn't you identify yourself when we arrived?"
DANIEL:
"Because I shouldn't have to produce professional credentials to receive basic courtesy in my own home."
Bennett looked down at the credential again.
OFFICER BENNETT:
"Sir, may I ask how long you've been retired?"
DANIEL:
"I left federal service several years ago."
BENNETT:
"And you currently work in the private sector?"
DANIEL:
"Yes."
Grayson interrupted.
OFFICER GRAYSON:
"This is irrelevant. He's still subject to the law like everybody else."
DANIEL:
"Absolutely. And so are the officers enforcing it."
That response made Bennett look up.
For the first time, Grayson seemed uncertain about how to proceed.
He finally lowered his weapon completely, though he kept one hand near his equipment belt.
OFFICER GRAYSON:
"All right. So you're telling us you have some experience with law enforcement."
DANIEL:
"I'm telling you that I understand the difference between responding to a complaint and assuming someone is guilty before establishing the facts."
GRAYSON:
"Don't lecture me."
DANIEL:
"Then stop giving me reasons to."
A tense silence followed.
Across the driveway, Victoria was still recording.
She had expected Daniel to become frightened when the officers arrived.
She had expected him to lose his temper.
She had certainly not expected a police officer to examine his identification and suddenly become hesitant.
VICTORIA:
"What's taking so long? He was threatening people before you arrived!"
Daniel turned toward her.
DANIEL:
"Victoria, you've made several accusations today. I suggest you be prepared to explain them."
VICTORIA:
"I don't have to explain anything. I called because I was concerned."
DANIEL:
"Concerned about what?"
VICTORIA:
"The disturbance. The threatening behavior. Everything!"
DANIEL:
"Then perhaps you can tell the officers exactly what threat you witnessed."
Victoria opened her mouth.
For a moment, she appeared to search for an answer.
VICTORIA:
"He was aggressive when I approached him."
DANIEL:
"Did I threaten you?"
VICTORIA:
"You were intimidating."
DANIEL:
"Did I touch you?"
VICTORIA:
"No, but—"
DANIEL:
"Did I threaten anyone at this party?"
VICTORIA:
"You were making everyone uncomfortable."
DANIEL:
"Victoria, this is my mother's birthday. You came onto our property, complained about the gathering, and then contacted the police."