SERGEANT OLIVIA REED: "You are being directed to remain at the scene while this incident is assessed. That is all you need to focus on right now."
OFFICER MARCUS BENNETT: "I won't be treated like this."
SERGEANT OLIVIA REED: "Your feelings about the process do not change the instructions you have been given."
Bennett turned away and struck the side of his own thigh with an open hand. He muttered something under his breath, then looked toward the courthouse entrance. His behavior was becoming more erratic, and Olivia could see that the arrival of additional officers was increasingly necessary.
A radio transmission crackled from her shoulder.
RADIO DISPATCH: "Sergeant Reed, additional units are approaching the main entrance. Please confirm the situation."
SERGEANT OLIVIA REED: "The scene remains active. One officer has been involved in a physical confrontation with a civilian. No confirmed serious injuries at this time. I need the responding officers to approach calmly and report directly to me."
RADIO DISPATCH: "Copy that. Units are approximately one minute away."
Olivia acknowledged the transmission. She then looked toward Bennett, who had started moving away from the patrol car and toward the center of the plaza.
SERGEANT OLIVIA REED: "Officer Bennett, remain beside the vehicle."
OFFICER MARCUS BENNETT: "I need to speak to my colleagues."
SERGEANT OLIVIA REED: "You can speak to them when they arrive. Stay here."
OFFICER MARCUS BENNETT: "I'm not a suspect. You can't just order me around as if I'm some stranger off the street."
SERGEANT OLIVIA REED: "I'm giving you a lawful workplace instruction to prevent further escalation. Please comply."
Bennett hesitated. He glanced at the crowd, then at Olivia. For a moment, it seemed he might return to the patrol car. Instead, he took another step toward the open plaza, forcing Olivia to move with him.
SERGEANT OLIVIA REED: "Stop moving toward the crowd."
OFFICER MARCUS BENNETT: "I'm going to tell them what really happened."
SERGEANT OLIVIA REED: "You will not approach the witnesses. Remain where you are."
Bennett stopped, but his expression remained hostile. Daniel watched from beside the bench, keeping his distance. Eleanor had turned toward the sound of their voices, and the worry returned to her face.
ELEANOR BROOKS: "Is he coming back over here?"
SERGEANT OLIVIA REED: "I'm not going to let him approach you. Please stay seated for now."
Eleanor nodded, though she continued watching Bennett. She had begun to understand that the sergeant was trying to protect everyone, but the officer's unpredictable behavior made it difficult for her to feel safe.
A moment later, two police officers emerged from the courthouse entrance and crossed the plaza toward Olivia. The first was Officer Peter Lawson, a stocky man in his late thirties with short hair and a calm expression. The second was Officer Aisha Grant, a woman in her early thirties with a slim athletic build and dark hair secured beneath her cap.
Both officers looked toward Bennett as they approached. They could see the crowd, the witnesses gathered near the stone column, and Daniel standing beside Eleanor. Olivia stepped forward to brief them before they reached the patrol car.
SERGEANT OLIVIA REED: "Thank you for coming. I need one of you to stay with Officer Bennett while I continue speaking to the witnesses. He has ignored several instructions and grabbed a civilian by the jacket."
OFFICER PETER LAWSON: "Understood. Is anyone injured?"
SERGEANT OLIVIA REED: "The civilian reports no direct strike, but the officer raised his hand as if preparing to hit him. The elderly woman is shaken and says her arm is sore."
OFFICER AISHA GRANT: "We'll keep the area clear and make sure nobody approaches him."
SERGEANT OLIVIA REED: "Good. Keep your approach professional and calm. Do not turn this into another confrontation."
Lawson and Grant nodded. Lawson moved toward Bennett, while Grant remained closer to the open walkway, helping keep the bystanders at a safe distance.
OFFICER PETER LAWSON: "Marcus, I need you to stay beside the vehicle while Sergeant Reed completes her initial assessment."
OFFICER MARCUS BENNETT: "So now you've both come to tell me what to do?"
OFFICER PETER LAWSON: "I'm asking you to remain here. Let's keep this calm."
OFFICER MARCUS BENNETT: "Ask the people who started this to calm down."
OFFICER PETER LAWSON: "We can discuss the accounts later. Right now, stay where you are."
Bennett looked past Lawson toward Daniel. His expression tightened again, and he began to speak, but Lawson raised a hand to stop him.
OFFICER PETER LAWSON: "Do not address the witnesses. Please face me."
OFFICER MARCUS BENNETT: "You're all acting as if I've done something terrible."
OFFICER PETER LAWSON: "I am asking you to follow instructions. Nothing more."