But she knew his arrival could be important.
Victoria Hayes: "I want the original complaint records available when he arrives."
Federal Operations Officer: "We'll request them."
Victoria Hayes: "And make sure the local department does not conduct a separate interview with Officer Cross before the federal evidence is secured."
Federal Operations Officer: "The team has already documented that instruction."
Cross shifted his weight.
Daniel Cross: "This is getting ridiculous. I was doing my job."
Victoria turned toward him.
Victoria Hayes: "Then you should have no problem explaining your actions."
Daniel Cross: "You don't know what information I received."
Victoria Hayes: "That is exactly what the investigators are going to establish."
Cross looked away.
For the next several minutes, the tactical team continued documenting the scene. Officers photographed the position of the handgun before it was moved, recorded the patrol vehicle's location, and identified the witnesses who had been present.
The federal operations officer also requested the original dispatch information.
The first record was not immediately available, but the department confirmed that the traffic stop had been entered into its system.
Victoria remained beside her father.
She wanted him to understand that the situation was being handled, but she also knew how frightened he had become.
James had never imagined that a routine journey could end with an officer pointing a weapon at his daughter.
James Hayes: "I should have told you how bad things had become before you came home."
Victoria Hayes: "You did tell me. That's why I came."
James Hayes: "I thought I could handle it."
Victoria Hayes: "You shouldn't have had to handle it alone."
James looked down at his hands.
James Hayes: "I never wanted your work to become part of this."
Victoria Hayes: "My work isn't the problem. Someone choosing to threaten you is the problem."
James nodded.
A dark department SUV appeared on the highway.
It slowed as it approached the tactical perimeter and stopped several yards away from the patrol vehicle.
Captain Thomas Reeves stepped out.
He was in his late fifties, with short gray hair and a neatly pressed uniform. His expression was serious, but he attempted to appear composed.
He looked first at the tactical vehicles, then at the officers, and finally at Grant Cross.
Captain Thomas Reeves: "What happened here?"
The tactical team leader approached him.
Tactical Team Leader: "Captain, your officer has been disarmed. The scene is secure. We are preserving the evidence associated with this stop."
Reeves looked toward Cross.
Captain Thomas Reeves: "Daniel, what happened?"
Cross seemed relieved to see someone from his own department.
Daniel Cross: "Captain, I was conducting a traffic stop. The driver became confrontational, and I had information about suspicious materials in the vehicle. Then this federal team arrived."
Reeves turned toward Victoria.
He recognized her name.
Captain Thomas Reeves: "Ms. Hayes?"
Victoria Hayes: "Captain Reeves."
Reeves appeared surprised.
Captain Thomas Reeves: "I wasn't expecting to see you here."
Victoria Hayes: "I wasn't expecting your officer to point a gun at me."
Reeves glanced at the tactical team.
Captain Thomas Reeves: "I'm sure there's been some misunderstanding. Daniel is an experienced officer. I'm certain we can sort this out."
Victoria Hayes: "He pointed a firearm at me while I was following his instructions. What part of that do you consider a misunderstanding?"
Reeves cleared his throat.
Captain Thomas Reeves: "I don't have all the information yet."
Victoria Hayes: "Then perhaps you should wait until the evidence is reviewed before explaining his behavior."
The federal operations officer stepped forward.
Federal Operations Officer: "Captain, we need to establish the original basis for the stop. That includes the dispatch information, the source of the allegation, all related communications, and the creation history of the incident report."
Reeves nodded.
Captain Thomas Reeves: "Of course. The department will cooperate."
Victoria looked directly at him.
Victoria Hayes: "Your department has received several complaints from my father concerning the treatment of his property. I want to know what happened to those complaints."
Reeves looked toward James.
Captain Thomas Reeves: "Mr. Hayes has submitted a number of reports. They were handled through the appropriate channels."
Victoria Hayes: "Which channels?"
Captain Thomas Reeves: "I would need to review the files."
Victoria Hayes: "Then we should review them."
Reeves adjusted his uniform.
Captain Thomas Reeves: "Director Hayes, I understand you're upset. But property disputes can sometimes become complicated. Not every inspection or administrative notice represents harassment."