"Already doing that, sir."
Mercer then looked at Kane.
"Until the identification check is complete, do not make further assumptions about this man's identity. Do not question him aggressively, and do not use any additional force. If there's a legitimate basis to continue the detention, document it. If there isn't, that must be addressed immediately."
Kane's expression suggested that he disliked receiving instructions in front of his own colleagues, but he did not argue.
Cross watched the lieutenant carefully. Mercer's arrival had changed the room's atmosphere, yet Cross knew that a supervisor's presence did not automatically guarantee a fair outcome. The next steps would matter more than the authority represented by another uniform.
Mercer approached him.
"Mr. Cross, I'm Lieutenant Mercer. I apologize that this encounter has reached this point. I need to confirm the facts and determine what actions are required."
"I understand," Cross replied. "I want the identification verified, the circumstances of my detention documented, and the assault recorded accurately."
"That is reasonable."
Cross looked briefly toward Kane.
"I also want the record to reflect that I asked for verification before the physical contact occurred."
Mercer nodded.
"We'll include the sequence of events as reported by everyone present. Any disputed details will be identified as disputed rather than presented as established fact."
It was the first time since entering the station that Cross had heard someone describe a process that did not depend on Kane's personal interpretation.
He appreciated the distinction, but he remained cautious.
"Thank you."
Mercer turned toward the table and began reviewing the incident report. He asked Brooks to clarify several times and checked the timeline against Parker's notes. He wanted to know when Cross had first presented the badge, when the request for verification had been made, and what happened immediately before the punch.
Brooks answered only what she had witnessed or documented.
Parker did the same.
When Mercer asked whether Cross had attempted to strike Kane or physically resist him, both officers said they had not seen him do so.
Kane shifted his weight.
"That's not the entire context," he said.
Mercer looked up.
"Then explain the context."
Kane began describing the earlier encounter, emphasizing his suspicion that Cross had misrepresented himself and his belief that the stranger had been trying to undermine his authority. He spoke at length about the responsibilities of local police officers, the need to remain alert to impersonation, and the dangers of accepting a badge without scrutiny.
Mercer allowed him to finish.
"Those concerns can be legitimate," he said. "That doesn't answer why you refused to verify the credentials when asked, and it doesn't explain why you struck a handcuffed person who was not physically threatening you."
Kane's expression tightened.
"I lost my temper."
"That explains your state of mind. It doesn't establish that your actions were justified."
For a moment, Kane appeared to consider arguing. Then he looked down at the table.
The distinction between an explanation and a justification was not one he could easily dismiss.
Mercer returned his attention to the documentation.
"We'll complete the verification first. Then we'll determine the appropriate next steps."
The second officer who had accompanied Mercer remained near the door, quietly recording the supervisor's instructions. The conference room was no longer functioning as the place where Kane dictated the terms of the encounter. It had become a place where each decision would have to be examined, recorded, and explained.
That change unsettled Kane more than he wanted to admit.
For years, he had been comfortable in situations where his confidence filled the space left by uncertainty. When people hesitated, he moved forward. When colleagues questioned his decisions, he reminded them of his experience. When someone challenged him, he treated the challenge as a test of authority.
Now his experience and confidence were not enough.
He needed evidence.
And evidence was something he had repeatedly refused to seek until the situation had become impossible to ignore.
A few minutes passed while Mercer reviewed the information. Then Brooks's desk phone rang again.
Everyone turned toward it.
Mercer gestured for her to answer.
Brooks picked up the receiver, identified herself, and listened. Her expression became attentive as the caller requested the reference number. She supplied it, confirmed the station's details, and waited while the information was checked.
Kane stood motionless.
Cross remained beside the chair.
Parker held his notebook against his chest, watching Brooks's face.