Victor looked at Ethan, then at Rosa, who was still holding her cheek.
SERGEANT VICTOR CHEN: "What happened to her?"
Cole began to answer, but Ethan spoke first.
ETHAN BROOKS: "I saw him slap her. She was trying to walk away, and I stepped in to ask why."
Victor's expression became serious.
He had arrived in time to see the confrontation between Cole and Ethan, but he had not witnessed the original slap. He understood that he needed to separate the people involved, establish what had happened, and prevent anyone from being hurt.
SERGEANT VICTOR CHEN: "Everyone, take a step back. We are going to deal with this calmly."
Ethan moved back slightly, following the instruction. Rosa remained near the edge of the walkway, while Cole stood rigidly in front of the sergeant.
For a brief moment, it appeared that the arrival of a supervising officer might finally bring the situation under control.
But Cole was not ready to accept that someone else had taken charge.
He turned toward Ethan once more, his face flushed with anger.
OFFICER TRAVIS COLE: "He has been disrespecting me since he arrived."
SERGEANT VICTOR CHEN: "Officer Cole, I am speaking to you. Stand down."
Cole's eyes shifted between the sergeant and Ethan.
The witnesses grew silent again.
Victor moved into a position between the two men, keeping his attention on Cole's movements. Ethan remained several feet away, while Rosa watched with growing anxiety.
For a moment, Cole appeared to hesitate.
Then he suddenly stepped toward Ethan and seized the front of his rust-brown jacket.
ETHAN BROOKS: "Let go of me!"
Victor immediately reached toward Cole's raised arm as the officer pulled Ethan forward and prepared to strike.
Around them, the bystanders gasped.
The confrontation had become physical, and the next few seconds would determine whether the situation could be brought under control before anyone was seriously hurt.
Victor reacted immediately, catching Cole's raised arm before the officer could strike Ethan. At the same time, he stepped between the two men and ordered Cole to release his grip.
SERGEANT VICTOR CHEN: "Officer Cole! Let him go. That's an order!"
Cole held Ethan's jacket for another moment, his fingers clenched tightly in the fabric. Ethan tried to pull himself free without striking back. His leather folder had fallen to the pavement, and several papers were now scattered near his shoes.
ETHAN BROOKS: "I haven't touched you! Let go of me!"
OFFICER TRAVIS COLE: "He challenged me! He thinks he can do whatever he wants!"
SERGEANT VICTOR CHEN: "Release him now!"
Victor tightened his hold on Cole's arm and forced the officer to step backward. Cole's grip finally loosened, allowing Ethan to move away. Ethan stumbled slightly but regained his balance and immediately created more distance between himself and the officer.
The crowd erupted into nervous conversation. Several people had their phones raised, recording what was happening. Others stepped away from the confrontation, afraid that the situation might turn into a larger fight.
Rosa stood near the edge of the plaza, clutching her handbag with both hands.
ROSA MARTINEZ: "Please stop! Nobody needs to get hurt!"
Victor glanced toward her briefly before returning his attention to Cole.
SERGEANT VICTOR CHEN: "Step back and keep your hands where I can see them."
Cole took a reluctant step away, breathing heavily. His expression showed anger and disbelief, as though he could not accept that his own colleague was ordering him to stop.
OFFICER TRAVIS COLE: "You're taking his side without knowing what happened!"
SERGEANT VICTOR CHEN: "I am telling you to stand down because you have escalated this situation. We will establish the facts afterward."
OFFICER TRAVIS COLE: "He interfered with me while I was working!"
SERGEANT VICTOR CHEN: "That does not give you permission to grab him and threaten to strike him."
Ethan bent down carefully, retrieved his folder, and gathered the scattered papers. He checked that the documents were still intact before straightening up. His hands were shaking, but he made no attempt to approach Cole again.
ETHAN BROOKS: "Sergeant, I wasn't trying to fight him. I saw him hit her, and I asked him why."
SERGEANT VICTOR CHEN: "I understand. Please remain over there while I handle this."
Ethan nodded and moved closer to Rosa, stopping beside her without blocking her path.
ETHAN BROOKS: "Ma'am, are you all right?"
ROSA MARTINEZ: "I'm frightened. I don't understand why this happened."
ETHAN BROOKS: "Stay here for a moment. The sergeant is dealing with it."
Rosa nodded, although her eyes remained fixed on Cole. She had hoped that the arrival of another officer would end the confrontation, but Cole continued pacing and muttering angrily.
Victor kept himself between Cole and the civilians.