Nathan picked up his phone and called his executive assistant.
"Please contact the internal affairs director. I want to speak with her before the leadership meeting."
"Certainly, Commander. Is there a particular case?"
"An incident involving Officer Ryan Pierce at the main entrance this morning. There may also be previous complaints that need to be reviewed."
"I'll arrange it."
Nathan ended the call.
Then he returned to the reports.
Several minutes later, the door opened.
A woman in her forties entered carrying a tablet and a thin folder.
She introduced herself as Captain Evelyn Carter, the head of the department's professional standards unit.
"Commander Brooks, I'm Captain Carter. The director asked me to brief you on the incident involving Officer Pierce."
Nathan stood.
"Thank you for coming. Please take a seat."
Evelyn sat opposite him.
"I've already requested the available camera recordings. The security team has confirmed that the main entrance cameras captured most of the incident."
"Most?"
"The camera covering the staircase has a clear view of the coffee being thrown and the physical confrontation. However, the angle near the pillar is partially obstructed."
Nathan nodded.
"Are there other cameras?"
"Yes. A camera on the opposite side of the courtyard may capture the beginning of the interaction."
"Then obtain both recordings."
"Already requested, Commander."
Nathan looked at her.
"Have you spoken to the witnesses?"
"Not formally. We have identified the security guard and the administrative employee who came forward."
"Good. Make sure their statements are collected separately."
Evelyn opened her folder.
"There's something else you should know."
Nathan looked up.
"What is it?"
"Officer Pierce has been mentioned in several previous complaints."
Nathan remained silent.
Evelyn continued.
"Two were closed after informal discussions with his supervisor. One was referred for additional review but was eventually classified as an unsubstantiated allegation."
"How many complaints in total?"
"At least three in the records currently available. I'm checking whether there are any others."
Nathan leaned back.
"Do the complaints involve similar behavior?"
"Two describe disrespectful language and intimidation. The third concerns an alleged misuse of authority during an access-control dispute."
Nathan's expression became serious.
"Then this morning may not be an isolated incident."
"That's my concern as well."
Nathan nodded.
"I want a full review. But I also want you to examine the way the previous complaints were handled."
Evelyn looked at him.
"You believe the supervisory process may have failed?"
"I don't want to assume anything before seeing the evidence. But if complaints were repeatedly dismissed without proper examination, that needs to be addressed."
Evelyn made a note.
"Understood."
Nathan continued.
"Do not treat today's incident differently because I was involved. If the same thing had happened to an ordinary citizen, the investigation should follow the same standards."
Evelyn nodded.
"That is how we'll approach it."
"Good."
She closed her folder.
"Commander, may I ask whether you intend to make a public statement?"
Nathan considered the question.
"Not yet. We should establish the facts first. But if the investigation confirms misconduct, the department must be transparent about the outcome within the limits of the law and policy."
Evelyn stood.
"I'll keep you updated."
As she reached the door, Nathan spoke again.
"Captain."
She turned.
"Yes, sir?"
"One more thing. Make sure nobody pressures the witnesses to change their statements."
Evelyn's expression became firm.
"I'll personally ensure that their cooperation is protected."
"Thank you."
The door closed.
Nathan returned to his chair.
For the first time since arriving that morning, he felt that the department was beginning to respond in the right way.
But he also knew that the most difficult part had not yet begun.
At the other end of the building, Ryan was sitting in a small office waiting for his formal interview.
He had already spoken to Daniel, but the investigation was now being handled by professional standards.
His phone vibrated several times.
A message from a colleague appeared on the screen.
"Is it true you had an incident with the new commander?"
Ryan stared at the message.
He did not reply.
Another message arrived.
"I heard you threw coffee at him. What were you thinking?"
Ryan locked the phone and placed it face down on the desk.
He could hear people talking in the hallway.
The story was already spreading.
He knew that several officers had witnessed the confrontation, and some had probably heard that Nathan was the incoming commander.
Ryan began replaying the morning in his mind.
He remembered Nathan approaching the entrance.
He remembered the calm voice, the simple black jacket, and the request to speak with the administrative department.
He remembered laughing.
He remembered throwing the coffee.
And he remembered the sound of Nathan hitting the pavement.
For the first time, Ryan understood that the incident could not be dismissed as a misunderstanding.
He had made a deliberate choice.
He had chosen to humiliate a person who had approached him peacefully.
And when that person challenged his behavior, he had chosen to use physical force.