Now the station's own records were beginning to support her explanation, but she remained separated from her belongings and unable to contact her office.
She was particularly concerned about how the incident would be documented.
If Harrison wrote that she had behaved suspiciously, future readers might assume that he had observed conduct supporting a reasonable suspicion of wrongdoing. If he described her as uncooperative, they might overlook the fact that she had offered her identification and registration before he handcuffed her.
The difference between a factual report and a defensive report could be substantial.
Camille knew that she needed to preserve her own account while the details remained clear in her mind.
She remembered the officer's first instruction, the position of his body beside the driver's door, the questions he asked about the SUV, and the repeated requests she made to have the documents checked. She remembered that he had not shown her a matching registration or explained any specific connection between her vehicle and the original report.
Most importantly, she remembered that he had decided to restrain her before completing the verification.
She wanted the station to understand that sequence.
When the door opened again, Lieutenant Mitchell entered with Sergeant Hale. Neither carried the dismissive expression Camille had encountered from Harrison. Mitchell introduced herself, explained that she was reviewing the situation, and took the chair opposite Camille.
LIEUTENANT KAREN MITCHELL: "Ms. Brooks, I'm Lieutenant Mitchell. I understand you've been detained in connection with a possible vehicle theft. I want to hear your account of what happened."
CAMILLE BROOKS: "Thank you. I would also like to know whether there is any evidence connecting my vehicle to the original report."
LIEUTENANT KAREN MITCHELL: "The initial records show that the registration information does not match the report. We're reviewing the remaining details."
CAMILLE BROOKS: "I appreciate that. I offered the registration to Officer Harrison before he handcuffed me. He chose to take me to the station before completing the check."
Mitchell made a note.
LIEUTENANT KAREN MITCHELL: "Did he explain why he believed your vehicle was involved?"
CAMILLE BROOKS: "He said it matched a general description. He didn't identify a matching plate number or any other specific evidence. I repeatedly offered to provide my documents, but he treated my questions as though I were refusing to cooperate."
LIEUTENANT KAREN MITCHELL: "Did you refuse any instruction?"
CAMILLE BROOKS: "No. I followed his instructions. I asked why I was being detained, and I asked him to verify the registration. When he ordered me to turn around, I complied."
Mitchell continued taking notes.
LIEUTENANT KAREN MITCHELL: "Did the officer make any comments that concerned you beyond the questions about the vehicle?"
Camille paused, considering how best to describe the encounter without exaggerating what she had experienced.
CAMILLE BROOKS: "He repeatedly questioned whether I could own the vehicle. He seemed to regard my appearance and my confidence as reasons to distrust me. When I told him I worked as a prosecutor, he dismissed the statement rather than checking it."
Mitchell looked up.
LIEUTENANT KAREN MITCHELL: "Did he use any explicitly discriminatory language?"
CAMILLE BROOKS: "He did not need to use a particular word for me to recognize that he had made assumptions about me. I cannot tell you everything he was thinking. I can tell you what he did: he treated my explanation as less credible than his own suspicion, even when I offered information that could be independently verified."
Mitchell considered the answer carefully.
LIEUTENANT KAREN MITCHELL: "That's an important distinction. We'll review the available evidence and the officer's conduct. I won't ask you to speculate about his motives, but I will make sure your concerns are documented."
CAMILLE BROOKS: "That's all I'm asking. I want the facts examined fairly."
Mitchell closed her notebook.
LIEUTENANT KAREN MITCHELL: "We are also checking your professional identity. If you would like to contact your office, we'll arrange that through the appropriate process."
CAMILLE BROOKS: "I would appreciate it. My colleagues can confirm my employment, and I would like someone to know where I am."
Mitchell stood and turned toward Hale.
LIEUTENANT KAREN MITCHELL: "Please arrange the call and confirm the current basis for the detention. We need a decision as soon as the necessary checks are complete."
Hale nodded.
The lieutenant left the room, and Hale remained long enough to explain that he was checking the available information. Camille thanked him, though she made it clear that she expected a timely answer.
Once she was alone again, she allowed herself a moment to breathe.