Nobody in the room spoke.
The investigator continued watching until the elevator doors opened and Robert Hayes emerged with Captain Brooks and Michael Bennett.
Robert recognized Darius immediately.
He approached, and Ethan released his grip.
The investigator paused the footage again.
Investigator: "This sequence needs to be preserved in its original form. We should also obtain the camera recording from the elevator itself, if available."
Technician: "There is a separate recording."
Investigator: "Include it."
They moved on to the hallway footage.
It provided a wider angle of the confrontation and showed several employees watching from a distance.
One of those employees was Raymond Collins.
He was interviewed shortly afterward.
Collins entered the interview room carrying his notebook and sat across from the investigator.
Investigator: "Officer Collins, please describe what you saw this morning."
Collins: "I was coming from the rear corridor when I noticed Ward arguing with a visitor. I couldn't hear everything at first, but I could see that Ward was getting very close to him."
Investigator: "Did the visitor appear aggressive?"
Collins: "No. He was standing still most of the time. He was trying to explain something."
Investigator: "What happened next?"
Collins: "Ward grabbed his tie. I started moving toward them, but before I got there, Ward struck him."
Investigator: "Did you report what you witnessed?"
Collins: "I was prepared to. But the commander arrived almost immediately."
Investigator: "Did anyone discourage you from providing a statement?"
Collins paused.
Collins: "Not directly. But I've seen situations where people who speak up end up being treated like troublemakers."
Investigator: "Can you give an example?"
Collins looked at the table.
Collins: "There was an incident involving a visitor several months ago. I wasn't the primary witness, but I heard the complaint had been closed. The officer involved was Ward. People were talking about it, but nobody wanted to get involved."
Investigator: "Why?"
Collins: "Because Ward was close to some supervisors. People believed complaining about him wouldn't change anything."
The investigator made a note.
Investigator: "Did you personally witness any retaliation?"
Collins: "I saw a younger officer get moved to another shift after he disagreed with Ward during a briefing. I don't know if the transfer was connected, so I don't want to make an accusation without evidence."
Investigator: "That's fine. We will record what you know and distinguish it from what you have heard."
Collins nodded.
For the first time, he appeared more relaxed.
Across the building, Ethan Ward was sitting in a small administrative office. He had been instructed not to discuss the incident with other personnel while the initial review continued.
He was not under arrest, but he had been removed from his public-facing duties.
His phone vibrated repeatedly.
Several colleagues had sent messages asking what had happened. Ethan ignored most of them.
Then a message appeared from an unknown number.
It read:
"Don't say anything about the old complaints. Let Langley handle it."
Ethan stared at the screen.
He read the message again.
He knew the sender's identity.
It was an officer who had previously worked in the administrative unit.
Ethan placed the phone on the desk.
For the first time, he began to wonder whether the investigation would reach beyond his own actions.
At 2:30 p.m., Deputy Director Frank Miller arrived at the executive conference room.
He had been responsible for the Professional Standards Division for almost four years. He carried a folder containing the department's complaint-handling procedures and appeared prepared to explain the decisions that had been made.
Darius greeted him.
Darius: "Thank you for coming, Mr. Miller."
Miller: "Of course, Chief. I've been informed that you're reviewing several complaints involving Officer Ward."
Darius: "That's correct. We are also examining the way those complaints were handled."
Miller placed the folder on the table.
Miller: "I brought the relevant policies."
Darius opened it.
Darius: "Let's begin with the first complaint. Who received it?"
Miller checked his notes.
Miller: "It was initially received by the front office and forwarded to the relevant supervisor."
Darius: "Who was the supervisor?"
Miller: "Lieutenant Price."
Darius: "Did he conduct an interview?"
Miller: "The record indicates that he spoke with the officer."
Darius: "Did he speak with the complainant?"
Miller searched through the pages.
Miller: "There is no formal interview record."
Darius: "Was the complainant contacted?"
Miller: "I can't confirm that."
Darius: "Was the complaint closed by your division?"
Miller: "It was closed at the administrative level after a recommendation from the supervisory chain."
Darius: "Who approved the recommendation?"
Miller looked at the page.
Miller: "Deputy Chief Langley."
Darius: "Did your division independently assess the evidence?"
Miller: "We reviewed the information provided to us."
Darius: "What information?"
Miller looked uncomfortable.
Miller: "The complaint summary, the supervisor's notes, and the officer's response."