"Before I give you my name, I'd like to ask something."
"Of course."
"Has this department received complaints about Officer Pierce's conduct?"
Daniel did not answer immediately.
The question was unexpected.
Ryan looked up.
"Sir, I don't think that's relevant to what happened today."
Nathan ignored him.
Daniel looked at the officer.
"Let him finish."
Nathan continued.
"I'm asking because this doesn't look like a momentary loss of judgment. The way he spoke to me, the way he treated me, and the way he used his position suggest that he believes he can behave this way without consequences."
Daniel's expression became thoughtful.
"To my knowledge, there have been concerns raised about his interactions with members of the public. I can't discuss individual complaints without reviewing the records."
Nathan nodded.
"Then perhaps it's time those records were reviewed."
Ryan gave a nervous laugh.
"Are we seriously discussing my entire career because of one misunderstanding?"
Daniel turned toward him.
"A misunderstanding?"
Ryan gestured toward Nathan.
"He wouldn't follow instructions. I asked him several times to identify himself, and he kept challenging me."
Nathan finally spoke again.
"I was reaching for my identification when you threw coffee in my face."
Ryan looked away.
Daniel noticed.
"Is that true?"
Ryan shook his head.
"I don't remember exactly."
The answer made Daniel's expression harden.
"You don't remember?"
"It happened quickly, sir."
"Did you throw your coffee at him?"
Ryan hesitated.
"I was frustrated."
"That wasn't my question."
Ryan swallowed.
Daniel stepped closer.
"Did you throw the coffee?"
Ryan looked toward the other officers.
"Yes, sir. But it wasn't intended to cause any serious harm."
Nathan's expression remained unchanged.
Daniel shook his head slowly.
"You're a police officer. You know better than this."
Ryan attempted to explain himself.
"I've had a difficult morning. We've been short-staffed, and there have been several security issues. I was trying to keep the entrance clear."
Daniel interrupted him.
"Being under pressure does not excuse misconduct."
Ryan said nothing.
At that moment, a second senior officer came out of the building carrying a folder. He looked toward Daniel and seemed surprised to find so many people gathered outside.
"Lieutenant Hayes, the director is asking whether the new commander's arrival has been confirmed."
Daniel turned toward him.
"Yes. He's here."
The senior officer looked around.
"Where?"
Daniel did not answer immediately.
He turned toward Nathan.
The man standing in front of him was still covered in coffee. His jacket was stained, his face was wet, and his expression was calm.
Daniel suddenly understood why the entire situation had felt so unusual.
He straightened his posture.
Then he took one step toward Nathan.
"Sir, forgive me. I should have recognized you sooner."
Ryan looked between them.
"What?"
Daniel ignored the interruption.
He addressed Nathan with a level of respect that immediately caught everyone's attention.
"Commander Brooks, I'm Lieutenant Daniel Hayes. We were expecting you this morning."
The courtyard fell silent.
Ryan's face changed.
He stared at Nathan, then at Daniel, as though he had not understood the words.
"Commander... Brooks?"
Daniel nodded.
"Yes. Commander Nathan Brooks."
The second senior officer holding the folder stopped walking.
He looked at Nathan and immediately recognized the name from the appointment documents.
"Commander Brooks? Sir, we've been waiting for you."
Nathan gave a small nod.
"Good morning."
Daniel looked embarrassed.
"Sir, I sincerely apologize. This is not the welcome you should have received."
Ryan stood completely still.
His eyes moved from Nathan's coffee-stained jacket to Daniel's face.
The man he had insulted, humiliated, and pushed onto the pavement was the department's incoming commander.
The very person who would soon have authority over his division.
Ryan's confidence began to disappear.
"Wait..." he said quietly.
Nathan looked at him.
Ryan took a small step backward.
"You're the new commander?"
Nathan reached into his jacket and removed the official identification card he had been trying to show earlier.
He held it up.
The department seal was clearly visible, along with his photograph, name, and senior command designation.
Daniel glanced at the card and nodded.
"That's correct."
Ryan stared at the identification.
For several seconds, he seemed unable to find the words.
Nathan lowered the card.
"Now you know who I am."
Ryan swallowed.
"Commander, I... I didn't know."
Nathan's voice was quiet but firm.
"That is precisely the problem."
Ryan looked down.
Nathan continued.
"You didn't know my position, so you decided I deserved to be treated without respect. You assumed I had no authority, no influence, and no reason to be here."
Ryan tried to speak.
"Sir, I would never have..."
Nathan raised one hand.
"Don't finish that sentence."
The officer stopped.
Nathan looked around at the people gathered near the entrance.
"Every person who walks through these doors deserves to be treated with dignity. A visitor does not need to be a commander, a judge, a politician, or someone important to deserve basic respect."
He turned back toward Ryan.