CAPTAIN RICHARD BENNETT: "I'm not convinced you do."
Sergeant Collins asked an officer standing near the corridor to bring a department camera. While they waited, she marked the time and made a brief note of the badge's location. No one touched it.
Derek tried to regain control of the conversation.
OFFICER DEREK MILLER: "Captain, can I explain the reason I was suspicious? We've had people come in here pretending to be officials before. I have to think about the safety of this building."
CAPTAIN RICHARD BENNETT: "You can explain your reasoning in your statement. For now, answer a simpler question. Did you attempt to verify the identification she presented?"
OFFICER DEREK MILLER: "No, sir."
CAPTAIN RICHARD BENNETT: "Did you ask another officer to verify it?"
OFFICER DEREK MILLER: "No."
CAPTAIN RICHARD BENNETT: "Did you contact the person she said she was meeting?"
OFFICER DEREK MILLER: "No, sir."
CAPTAIN RICHARD BENNETT: "Then what specific step did you take to establish whether she was who she said she was?"
Derek opened his mouth, then closed it. His gaze shifted toward Sergeant Collins, as if she might offer a different question. She did not.
OFFICER DEREK MILLER: "I used my judgment."
CAPTAIN RICHARD BENNETT: "Judgment is not a substitute for procedure."
OFFICER DEREK MILLER: "I didn't want to let someone through just because they had a badge."
CAPTAIN RICHARD BENNETT: "You were not being asked to let her into a restricted area without verification. You were being asked to contact a supervisor."
Derek's shoulders tightened.
OFFICER DEREK MILLER: "She was challenging me in front of everyone."
VICTORIA HAYES: "I asked you to make a phone call."
OFFICER DEREK MILLER: "You said it like you expected me to obey you."
VICTORIA HAYES: "I expected you to follow the same professional process you would use for anyone whose credentials needed verification."
The captain let the exchange settle before speaking again.
CAPTAIN RICHARD BENNETT: "That is precisely why we have procedures. They exist so that decisions aren't based on whether an officer likes someone's tone."
Derek looked away. He seemed to realize that his explanation was becoming less convincing with every sentence.
Sergeant Collins returned to her notes.
SERGEANT LAURA COLLINS: "Agent Hayes, did Officer Miller explain why he was handling your identification?"
VICTORIA HAYES: "No. He took it from me during the confrontation. I did not consent to him taking it."
SERGEANT LAURA COLLINS: "Did he return it to you?"
VICTORIA HAYES: "No. He threw it into the trash."
Sergeant Collins recorded the answer exactly as Victoria had given it. She did not embellish it or ask Victoria to characterize Derek's intentions.
CAPTAIN RICHARD BENNETT: "Miller, did you have authorization to take her identification from her?"
OFFICER DEREK MILLER: "I believed I had the authority to secure it temporarily."
CAPTAIN RICHARD BENNETT: "Based on what instruction?"
OFFICER DEREK MILLER: "My understanding of security protocol."
SERGEANT LAURA COLLINS: "Which protocol, specifically?"
Derek turned toward her.
OFFICER DEREK MILLER: "I don't have the manual memorized."
SERGEANT LAURA COLLINS: "You don't need to memorize every page. You do need to identify the procedure you relied on when you decided to take another agency's identification."
OFFICER DEREK MILLER: "I can't quote the section number right now."
SERGEANT LAURA COLLINS: "Then include that in your statement and identify the policy you believe applies."
The arrival of the department camera interrupted the exchange. Sergeant Collins instructed the officer carrying it to photograph the badge in place, the surrounding area, and the position of the trash can relative to the reception counter. She asked Ethan to confirm the time on the security system and record the time shown on the camera.
The process was methodical and unhurried. That made Derek appear increasingly impatient. He glanced at the wall clock twice in less than a minute.
CAPTAIN RICHARD BENNETT: "Do you have somewhere else you need to be?"
OFFICER DEREK MILLER: "No, sir."
CAPTAIN RICHARD BENNETT: "Then stop looking for a way to leave this conversation."
Derek straightened.
OFFICER DEREK MILLER: "I'm not trying to leave, Captain."
CAPTAIN RICHARD BENNETT: "Good. Then you can remain here until Sergeant Collins has the information she needs."
Once the photographs were complete, Sergeant Collins put on disposable gloves and carefully retrieved the badge. She held it by the edge, checked its condition, and placed it in a clear evidence sleeve for temporary documentation pending the appropriate instructions. Victoria confirmed that it was her identification, but she did not attempt to take it from the sergeant.
SERGEANT LAURA COLLINS: "Agent Hayes, we'll document the recovery and make sure the chain of custody is recorded. I'll coordinate with the captain regarding the proper return."
VICTORIA HAYES: "Thank you."
Derek watched the badge disappear into the sleeve.
OFFICER DEREK MILLER: "This is excessive."
CAPTAIN RICHARD BENNETT: "You have made that point several times. It has not changed the facts we are trying to establish."