Now he wondered whether he could explain it to investigators.
He opened the messaging application.
His thumb hovered over Weller's name.
Then he typed:
Supervisor, serious problem. Homeowner says he's the new oversight director.
The reply arrived less than a minute later.
Don't discuss anything with outsiders. Wait for department command.
Derek frowned.
Another message followed.
And don't mention my earlier text unless you're specifically required to.
He stared at the words.
For the first time that morning, suspicion began moving in a different direction.
Why would his lieutenant care whether investigators knew about an ordinary scheduling message?
Back inside the Williams home, Renee placed a glass of water in front of Marcus.
He sat at the kitchen island.
His daughter had gone upstairs with her grandmother, who arrived soon after Renee called.
The house was quiet now.
But Marcus still felt the confrontation in his body.
His shoulder ached where Derek had shoved him.
His forearms felt tense.
Every time a vehicle passed outside, he glanced toward the window.
Renee sat opposite him.
"You should get checked."
"I'm okay."
She gave him a look he'd known for twenty years.
"That's not the same as being okay."
Marcus sighed.
"I know."
She reached across the counter and took his hand.
"Do you understand what I saw?"
He looked at her.
"I saw a police officer threaten you with our daughter's toy. Then he put his hand on his actual gun."
Marcus lowered his eyes.
Renee continued.
"I wanted to run outside."
"I'm glad you didn't."
"I know."
Her voice broke.
"But I watched you sitting there with your hands up, and I didn't know whether he was going to hurt you."
Marcus squeezed her hand.
"I'm here."
She nodded.
Then looked toward the staircase.
"She keeps asking whether police officers can take parents away for owning toys."
Marcus closed his eyes.
For years, he'd spoken publicly about oversight, fairness, and community trust.
He'd testified before legislative committees.
He'd reviewed use-of-force policies.
He'd helped prosecute officials who abused their authority.
But he'd never felt so unprepared to answer a child's question.
Renee studied him.
"Don't turn this into a work problem just yet."
He looked up.
"What?"
"You're already thinking like an investigator."