His white shirt beneath had absorbed water around the collar and shoulder.
The attorney said:
“We can find another shirt.”
“No.”
“Why?”
“I’m not appearing on camera.”
“This is closed.”
“And I do not want anyone later saying I staged some visual.”
The attorney nodded.
That was who he was.
Precise even when angry.
Especially when angry.
The deputy sat in another room.
His service weapon secured according to administrative procedure.
Badge temporarily surrendered.
Union counsel finally arrived.
The deputy’s first words:
“This is retaliation.”
The attorney set down his briefcase.
“For what?”
“He came through my post knowing I was under investigation.”
“Did he tell you his identity?”
“He flashed some credential.”
“Was it valid?”
The deputy hesitated.
“Yes.”
“Did dispatch confirm?”
“Yes.”
“Then why was he on the ground?”
The deputy’s jaw tightened.
“He became noncompliant.”
“How?”
“He wouldn’t tell me what was in the portfolio.”
“Were you authorized to inspect it?”
“I’m courthouse security.”
“That is not what I asked.”
The deputy stared.
The attorney continued.
“Did he threaten you?”
“No.”
“Attempt to leave?”
“No.”
“Physically resist?”
“No.”
“Touch you?”
“No.”
“Then why did you use force?”
The deputy leaned back.
“He was disrespectful.”
The attorney stopped writing.
Then looked at him.
“Do not say that in the hearing.”
The deputy stared.
“Why?”
“Because disrespect is not a force justification.”
The deputy looked away.
The attorney lowered his voice.
“What did you do with the water?”
Silence.
The attorney waited.
The deputy finally answered.
“Poured it.”
“On him?”
“Yes.”
“Why?”
“He was acting superior.”
The attorney closed his eyes.
The deputy snapped:
“You weren’t there.”
“No.”
“But approximately thirty phones were.”
The deputy looked toward the wall.
The attorney continued.
“We are going to separate what you feel from what you can defend.”
“I can defend the stop.”
“Maybe.”
“The water?”
The deputy said nothing.
The attorney nodded.
“Exactly.”
The younger courthouse officer gave a statement in another room.
He looked miserable.
The investigator asked:
“When did you believe the commissioner’s credential was verified?”
“About three minutes before the water.”
“Did you tell the deputy?”
“Yes.”
“What did he say?”
“He said he wanted more confirmation.”
“Was more confirmation available?”
“I don’t know.”
“Did you believe the commissioner presented a threat?”
“No.”
“Did you see resistance?”
“No.”
“Did you see the deputy push him?”
“Yes.”
“Why didn’t you intervene?”
The younger officer swallowed.
“He was senior.”
The investigator looked up.
“That’s not an answer.”
The young officer stared at his hands.
Then:
“I was afraid.”
“Of what?”
“Career.”
“Reputation.”
“He tells people whether you’re solid.”
“He’s close with the supervisor.”
“If he says you’re soft, you get bad assignments.”
The investigator wrote.