She had worked at Westbridge for years. She knew the department's routines and had established relationships with officers who respected her experience.
She believed those things would protect her.
When Sergeant Reynolds entered the office, Nia immediately turned toward him.
NIA: "Have you spoken to the captain?"
REYNOLDS: "He is attending the senior briefing."
NIA: "And what did he say about me?"
REYNOLDS: "The incident is being reviewed. You have been instructed not to approach witnesses or discuss their statements with them."
NIA: "I know what I was told. I'm asking whether he understands my side of the story."
REYNOLDS: "He knows that you will be given an opportunity to respond."
NIA: "Good. Because this entire situation has been blown out of proportion."
Reynolds remained near the doorway.
REYNOLDS: "You need to understand how serious this is, Nia."
NIA: "I already explained what happened. She challenged me, and I reacted."
REYNOLDS: "You admitted that you slapped her."
NIA: "Once."
REYNOLDS: "The witness statements describe more than one physical action."
Nia's expression hardened.
NIA: "Of course they do. Everyone wants to make themselves look good."
REYNOLDS: "That is not a useful assumption to make."
NIA: "You weren't standing there for the entire conversation."
REYNOLDS: "Neither was I, which is why the evidence must be reviewed."
Nia folded her arms.
NIA: "I've served this department for years. I have never needed someone to explain how to do my job."
REYNOLDS: "Experience should help you understand why the rules matter."
NIA: "Don't lecture me."
Reynolds looked at her for a moment.
REYNOLDS: "I'm not here to argue with you. I'm here to make sure you follow the instructions you've been given."
He turned toward the door.
NIA: "Wait. Who exactly is this woman?"
Reynolds paused.
NIA: "Amara Johnson. Where did she come from? Why was she here for the senior briefing?"
Reynolds hesitated, apparently realizing that Nia had not yet heard the announcement.
REYNOLDS: "You should hear the information from the captain when the briefing is finished."
NIA: "Why?"
REYNOLDS: "Because it is an official announcement."
Nia stared at him.
NIA: "You're avoiding the question."
REYNOLDS: "I'm following the instructions I've been given."
He left the office and closed the door behind him.
Nia stood still for several seconds.
The answer had unsettled her. If Amara were merely a new patrol officer, Reynolds would have had no reason to avoid explaining her assignment. The fact that he had directed her to wait suggested that the situation was more complicated than she had assumed.
She picked up her telephone, then put it down again.
She had been instructed not to contact witnesses, and she did not want to create another problem before speaking with Hayes.
Still, the uncertainty was becoming difficult to ignore.
She returned to the chair beside the desk and sat down, tapping one foot impatiently against the floor.
A few minutes later, the door opened again.
This time, Captain Hayes entered with Laura Price.
Nia stood immediately.
NIA: "Captain, thank you. I need to explain what happened at reception."
HAYES: "You will have the opportunity to provide your full account through the investigation."
NIA: "But I want you to understand that she was disrespectful from the moment I approached her."
HAYES: "That is your interpretation. The investigators will assess your account alongside the available evidence."
NIA: "I have served this department for twelve years."
HAYES: "Your service history is part of your personnel record. It does not change the requirement to investigate a serious allegation."
Nia's expression tightened.
NIA: "So you have already decided that I'm guilty."
HAYES: "No. I have decided that the incident must be investigated. Those are not the same thing."
Laura placed a document on the desk.
LAURA: "Officer Okafor, this is written confirmation of the temporary restrictions that were communicated to you earlier. Please read the document carefully. It explains the current arrangements and the process for submitting your response."
Nia glanced at the paper but did not pick it up.
NIA: "Why am I being treated like a criminal?"
HAYES: "You are being treated as an employee involved in a serious incident that requires formal review. You have the right to respond to the allegations, and the department has an obligation to preserve evidence and protect the integrity of the process."
NIA: "And what about her? Is she being investigated too?"
HAYES: "There is currently no evidence that Officer Johnson initiated the physical confrontation. If relevant evidence emerges, it will be considered. We will not invent allegations to make the situation appear balanced."
Nia looked away.
That was not the answer she had expected.
She had hoped that Hayes would describe the confrontation as a mutual disagreement and encourage both women to apologize. Such an approach would have allowed her to return to work without facing a detailed examination of her conduct.