Walter nodded.
"Yes. I collected it this morning."
"Did you open it before the encounter?"
"Yes. I checked the payment and placed the receipt back inside."
"Was anything removed?"
Walter looked at Vance.
"I don't know. He took it from me."
The officer nodded.
"We'll document that."
Walter looked down at his hands.
They were still trembling.
He had spent most of his life believing that police officers were people he could approach when something went wrong.
Now he was struggling to understand how one of them had become the person who hurt him.
The lead officer turned toward the nearby commuters.
"Anyone who witnessed the incident should remain available for a statement. You are not being detained. We simply need to preserve witness accounts."
The man with the backpack immediately raised his hand.
"I saw everything."
The officer approached him.
"Thank you. What's your name?"
"Marcus Hill."
"Did you see the officer take the envelope?"
"Yes. I saw him demand it, put it inside his vest, and push the old man down."
"Did Mr. Harrison threaten him?"
Marcus shook his head.
"No. He was asking for his money back."
The officer nodded.
"Did you record any of it?"
Marcus held up his phone.
"Almost the entire thing."
"Please preserve the original recording. An investigator will contact you."
A woman near the ticket machines stepped forward.
"I recorded it too."
The officer acknowledged her.
"Thank you, ma'am."
Vance turned his head.
"YOU PEOPLE DON'T KNOW WHAT YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT!"
The lead officer looked at him.
"Officer Vance, remain silent unless an investigator asks you a question."
Vance laughed bitterly.
"So now I can't even explain myself?"
"You will have an opportunity to provide your account through the appropriate process."
Vance looked toward the other officers.
He appeared to be searching for someone who might defend him.
Nobody did.
Meanwhile, Walter had been helped onto a nearby bench.
A transit employee brought him a bottle of water.
He held it with both hands.
The lead officer approached again.
"Mr. Harrison, my name is Captain James Reynolds. I supervise the special response team."
Walter looked up.
"Captain?"
"Yes, sir. I want to assure you that we're going to establish exactly what happened here."
Walter nodded.
"I just want my money back."
Reynolds glanced toward the evidence container.
"We'll make sure the envelope is accounted for."
Walter looked down.
"It's my pension. I worked for thirty-two years."
"I understand."
"No, Captain. I don't think you do."
Reynolds paused.
Walter continued.
"My wife passed away six years ago. I live alone now. My children have their own families. I never wanted to depend on them."
He swallowed.
"That money was supposed to help me pay my bills and buy my medicine."
Reynolds listened without interrupting.
Walter looked toward Vance.
"He took it like it belonged to him."
The captain's expression hardened.
"I understand what you're saying, sir."
Walter shook his head.
"I don't think he understands what it means to someone like me."
For a moment, Reynolds said nothing.
Then he pulled a chair closer.
"Mr. Harrison, I want you to know that your situation is being taken seriously."
Walter nodded faintly.
The medical team arrived shortly afterward.
Two paramedics approached with a stretcher and a medical bag.
One of them introduced herself as Emily Carter.
"Mr. Harrison, I'm going to check your back and head. Can you tell me where you're experiencing pain?"
Walter pointed toward his lower back.
"Here. And my head hurts a little."
"Did you lose consciousness?"
"I don't think so."
"Do you remember falling?"
"Yes."
Emily carefully examined him.
She checked his blood pressure, pulse, and pupils.
Then she asked him to describe the sequence of events.
Walter explained that Vance had demanded the envelope, grabbed his wrist, and pushed him backward.
Emily exchanged a brief look with her colleague.
"We should take him to the hospital for further evaluation."
Walter looked worried.
"Do I have to go?"
"I strongly recommend it. We want to make sure there isn't an injury that requires additional treatment."
Walter glanced toward the evidence container.
"What about my money?"
Captain Reynolds answered.
"It will remain secured. We will document everything before it is returned to you."
Walter nodded.
"All right."
The paramedics helped him onto the stretcher.
As they prepared to move him, Walter looked toward Vance.
The officer was still standing against the wall.
Their eyes met.
Walter spoke quietly.
"Why did you do that?"
Vance did not answer.
Walter waited.