SERGEANT VICTOR CHEN: "Officer Cole, you will remain here and follow my instructions."
OFFICER TRAVIS COLE: "I don't need you treating me like a criminal."
SERGEANT VICTOR CHEN: "Then stop behaving in a way that puts other people at risk."
The remark made Cole's expression darken. He glanced toward the witnesses, many of whom were still recording. He seemed increasingly aware that his actions had been seen by a large number of people.
OFFICER TRAVIS COLE: "Everyone is recording me as if I'm the only person who did anything wrong."
SERGEANT VICTOR CHEN: "Nobody is preventing you from providing your account. But you will not approach these people or continue this confrontation."
Cole shook his head and moved toward Ethan again.
Victor immediately stepped into his path.
SERGEANT VICTOR CHEN: "Stop right there!"
OFFICER TRAVIS COLE: "Move out of my way."
SERGEANT VICTOR CHEN: "No. Step back."
For several seconds, the two officers faced each other. Victor remained composed, while Cole's breathing grew heavier. Ethan stayed beside Rosa, refusing to respond to Cole's provocation.
The sergeant reached for his radio.
SERGEANT VICTOR CHEN: "Dispatch, send additional officers to the main courthouse entrance. I need assistance managing an officer-related incident."
RADIO DISPATCH: "Copy that, Sergeant. Additional units are being sent."
Victor returned the radio to his shoulder and continued watching Cole.
SERGEANT VICTOR CHEN: "You will remain beside the patrol car until the responding officers arrive."
OFFICER TRAVIS COLE: "You can't be serious."
SERGEANT VICTOR CHEN: "I am giving you a direct instruction. Follow it."
Cole turned away sharply and walked several steps toward the parked patrol car. Victor followed at a safe distance, ensuring that he did not approach the witnesses again.
Meanwhile, Ethan crouched to pick up one final sheet of paper that had fallen near the curb. He handed the papers back to Rosa, who carefully placed them inside her envelope.
ROSA MARTINEZ: "Thank you for helping me. I was afraid nobody would say anything."
ETHAN BROOKS: "I couldn't just stand there after seeing what happened."
ROSA MARTINEZ: "But he turned on you because you spoke up."
ETHAN BROOKS: "That wasn't your fault. You were trying to leave peacefully."
Rosa lowered her eyes, struggling to control her emotions. Her cheek still hurt, and her legs felt unsteady beneath her skirt. She had never expected to become the center of a public confrontation, much less to see another person threatened because he had tried to help her.
Near the patrol car, Cole continued protesting.
OFFICER TRAVIS COLE: "I want to speak to someone in charge."
SERGEANT VICTOR CHEN: "A supervising officer has been notified. You will have an opportunity to explain what happened."
OFFICER TRAVIS COLE: "This is completely unfair."
SERGEANT VICTOR CHEN: "Your opinion of the situation does not change the instructions you have been given."
Cole folded his arms, but he remained beside the vehicle. Victor glanced toward the courthouse entrance as two responding officers appeared and hurried across the plaza.
The first officer was a broad-shouldered man named Peter Lawson. The second was Aisha Grant, an athletic woman with dark hair secured beneath her police cap. Both wore dark navy uniforms and black duty belts.
They approached Victor, who quickly explained the immediate situation.
SERGEANT VICTOR CHEN: "Officer Cole has been involved in a physical confrontation with a civilian. He grabbed the man's jacket and raised his hand to strike him. I intervened before the blow landed. I need you to help keep him separated from the witnesses."
OFFICER PETER LAWSON: "Understood, Sergeant."
OFFICER AISHA GRANT: "We'll secure the area and keep everyone separated."
Victor nodded toward Cole, who was standing beside the patrol car.
SERGEANT VICTOR CHEN: "Approach calmly. Follow procedure and do not allow this to escalate further."
Lawson and Grant moved toward Cole, maintaining a controlled distance.
OFFICER PETER LAWSON: "Travis, remain beside the vehicle while we assess the situation."
OFFICER TRAVIS COLE: "You too? Everyone has suddenly decided I'm the problem."
OFFICER AISHA GRANT: "We are here to keep everyone safe. Please follow the instructions."
OFFICER TRAVIS COLE: "I was doing my job!"
OFFICER PETER LAWSON: "You will have the opportunity to explain your actions. For now, remain where you are."
Cole looked from one officer to the other, visibly frustrated. He took a step away from the vehicle, apparently intending to return to the plaza.
Lawson immediately moved to block his path.
OFFICER PETER LAWSON: "Stay here, Travis."
OFFICER TRAVIS COLE: "Don't tell me what to do."
OFFICER AISHA GRANT: "Stop moving and keep your hands visible."
Cole hesitated, then made another sudden movement toward Lawson. The responding officers stepped in to control his movements and prevent him from approaching anyone else.