Parker looked down at his notebook.
Brooks maintained a neutral expression, but her eyes briefly closed as if she were reminding herself not to react to every provocation.
Cross submitted to the examination without complaint. The assessment did not resolve the dispute over his identification, but it established that the injury was real and required attention.
When the staff member finished, they recorded their observations and advised that Cross should receive further medical evaluation if symptoms worsened. Brooks ensured that the documentation was retained with the incident records.
Kane did not comment again about the blood.
For several minutes, the room settled into an uneasy routine. Brooks reviewed the incident report. Parker checked the timeline. The medical staff member departed, and the conference room door closed behind them.
Cross remained standing.
The cuffs were still in place.
He shifted his wrists slightly, careful not to pull against the metal.
"May I ask why I'm still restrained while the verification is underway?" he asked.
Kane looked up from the folder.
"Because I said so."
Brooks answered before Cross could respond.
"The arresting officer needs to explain the legal basis for continued detention. The verification process doesn't answer that question by itself."
Kane stared at her.
"You are not in charge of this arrest."
"I'm not claiming to be."
"Then stop telling me what I need to do."
"I'm asking you to state the basis for your decision."
Kane looked at Cross, as though the stranger were somehow responsible for the conversation.
The question was straightforward, but it forced him to move beyond the language of authority. He could no longer rely solely on the fact that he had made the arrest. He had to explain why the detention remained justified.
He began listing the circumstances that had led to the encounter. His description was broad and defensive, emphasizing the stranger's unfamiliarity, the badge he had questioned, and the fact that Cross had not immediately convinced him of his identity.
Brooks listened without interrupting.
When Kane finished, she asked which specific action by Cross had provided the basis for the continued detention.
Kane's expression hardened.
"I've already explained the situation."
"You've described your suspicions. I'm asking what specific conduct supports keeping him here."
"He was acting suspiciously."
"What did he do?"
"He refused to accept my authority."
Cross looked toward Brooks.
"I asked for verification."
Kane turned on him.
"Stop interrupting."
Brooks raised a hand.
"Let him finish if he's answering the question."
Cross continued.
"I provided my name and identification. I did not threaten anyone, attempt to leave, or physically resist. I asked for the badge to be checked."
Kane's face grew red.
"You keep repeating the same thing."
"Because you keep asking me to justify a request you could have verified."
Brooks looked down at the report and made another note.
Kane saw her writing.
"What are you putting in there?"
"The statements made during this discussion."
"You're recording every word I say?"
"I'm recording the relevant details."
He looked at Parker.
"Are you doing the same thing?"
Parker nodded.
"I'm recording what I observed and what was said."
Kane pushed the folder away from him.
"This is ridiculous."
Cross did not respond.
The officer had finally encountered something he could not solve by increasing the pressure. The more he tried to prevent documentation, the more clearly he revealed why documentation mattered.
A few minutes later, Brooks's desk phone rang again.
She answered and listened carefully. The caller asked to speak with the officer responsible for the verification request. Brooks confirmed that Kane was present and placed the call on speaker after receiving permission.
A new voice introduced itself and requested the reference number. Brooks supplied it. The caller then asked for the identifying details that had been collected during the earlier call.
Kane repeated them, this time with less impatience.
The caller confirmed that the information matched the record associated with the identification, but explained that an additional step was needed before the result could be formally closed. The request had been passed to the appropriate office, and the station would receive a definitive response once the remaining details were confirmed.
Kane leaned closer to the phone.
"Are you telling me this man is who he says he is?"
The caller responded that the information available at that stage was consistent with Cross's claim, but that the final determination had not yet been issued.
Kane looked as though he had swallowed something bitter.
"Consistent isn't the same as confirmed."