But she still needed evidence establishing what each person knew and intended.
She looked toward the senior investigator.
"We need to speak with the records supervisor."
He nodded.
"And the deputy chief?"
She took a breath.
"First establish where he went and what records he may have accessed. Then follow the legal process."
The next morning, the blonde officer requested an interview through her attorney.
She had been relieved from checkpoint duty and placed on administrative leave while the department and an independent investigative team examined her conduct.
At first, the agent was surprised.
The officer had spent the previous afternoon loudly insisting she had done nothing wrong.
Now she wanted to explain what happened.
The agent did not conduct the interview herself. She had been directly involved in the confrontation and was a witness to the officer's conduct. Independent investigators would handle the questioning.
The blonde officer entered the interview room wearing ordinary clothes.
Without her uniform, she looked younger.
Less imposing.
But her expression remained guarded.
She sat beside her attorney and watched the investigators arrange their notes.
One asked whether she was willing to explain how she received her assignment to the checkpoint.
She nodded.
"The deputy chief's office changed my schedule."
"When?"
"Yesterday morning."
"Who notified you?"
"His administrative assistant."
The investigator asked whether she retained the message.
The officer hesitated.
Then answered, "Yes."
She produced her phone for the agreed, documented review of relevant communications.