She also requested the patrol car's recording and any footage from the station's booking area.
By the time she finished, the review had expanded beyond a routine identity check.
At the booking counter, Vanessa asked for an opportunity to make a telephone call.
VANESSA BROOKS: "I need to contact my operations center. They will already be looking for my check-in."
The booking officer glanced toward Hayes.
RICHARD HAYES: "She can make the call after the initial processing."
Vanessa took a slow breath.
VANESSA BROOKS: "My assignment has a scheduled reporting requirement. The delay could trigger an unnecessary response."
RICHARD HAYES: "Then they can wait until we finish."
Laura, who had returned to the area, stepped closer.
LAURA BENNETT: "Chief, the state office has already requested verification. We should let her contact the authorized operations desk so they can confirm the assignment directly."
Hayes looked at Laura for several seconds.
RICHARD HAYES: "Are you now responsible for this arrest?"
LAURA BENNETT: "No. I'm responsible for making sure we preserve the evidence and verify the information relevant to it."
The two officers held each other's gaze.
Finally, Hayes gestured toward the booking officer.
RICHARD HAYES: "Give her access to the phone. Keep the call within the approved procedure."
The booking officer moved the telephone closer.
Vanessa was still handcuffed, so the officer dialed the number she provided and placed the receiver within reach. A member of the operations team answered after several rings.
VANESSA BROOKS: "This is Vanessa Brooks. I'm at Central District Police Station. I need to report that my inspection was interrupted and that I'm currently being detained."
The voice on the other end changed immediately.
STATE OPERATIONS OFFICER: "Vanessa, are you safe? Do you require medical assistance?"
VANESSA BROOKS: "I'm physically fine. I have been handcuffed, and my documents were taken at the property. The arresting officer has not completed the identity verification."
STATE OPERATIONS OFFICER: "Do you know the officer's name?"
VANESSA BROOKS: "Richard Hayes, chief of the Central District Police Department."
The operations officer asked her to remain on the line while the call was transferred to a supervisor.
Vanessa waited.
The booking area was quiet enough for Laura to hear the faint sound of the conversation, although she could not make out every word. Hayes stood several feet away, reviewing his paperwork with an expression that suggested he considered the delay unnecessary.
A supervisor eventually joined the call.
STATE SECURITY SUPERVISOR: "Vanessa, this is Martin Ellis. We received an alert that your scheduled check-in was missed. Can you confirm your current location?"
VANESSA BROOKS: "Central District Police Station, booking area."
STATE SECURITY SUPERVISOR: "Understood. We are coordinating through the official channels. Do not discuss restricted operational details over an unverified line."
VANESSA BROOKS: "I understand."
STATE SECURITY SUPERVISOR: "Have you been given an opportunity to present your identification?"
VANESSA BROOKS: "I offered it at the property. The officer took my folder before checking the credentials."
Martin Ellis paused.
STATE SECURITY SUPERVISOR: "Your assignment and authorization remain on file. We are contacting the department to establish what happened and to ensure that the correct records are provided."
VANESSA BROOKS: "Please make sure the property camera footage is preserved. It should show the entire encounter."
STATE SECURITY SUPERVISOR: "We'll include that in the coordination request."
The call ended after the supervisor confirmed that the office would follow up.
Vanessa returned the receiver and looked toward Laura.
VANESSA BROOKS: "They have the incident on record now."
LAURA BENNETT: "Thank you. We'll preserve the department's recordings as well."
Richard Hayes closed the folder he had been reading.
RICHARD HAYES: "This is becoming far more complicated than it needs to be."
Laura turned toward him.
LAURA BENNETT: "It would have been simpler if the authorization had been checked at the property."
Hayes did not answer.
He instructed the booking officer to continue with the remaining forms, but Laura asked for a short delay while she confirmed the department's obligations under its own procedures.
The disagreement was no longer private. Two officers at nearby desks had heard the exchange, and the booking clerk had stopped typing long enough to look up.
Hayes noticed the attention.
RICHARD HAYES: "Everyone has work to do. Get back to it."
The officers returned to their tasks, although the atmosphere had changed.