What was fury a minute earlier becomes item seven.
Item eight.
Item nine.
Ruth still stood behind the fence.
Mercer approached.
“Ma’am, are you the person who recorded this?”
“Yes.”
“Would you be willing to preserve the original recording and provide a statement?”
She looked toward Gity.
His eyes were on her.
Her confidence flickered.
Renata saw it.
She stepped closer despite the medic telling her not to.
“Ruth.”
The woman looked surprised.
“How do you know my name?”
“I heard someone call to you from the porch.”
Ruth glanced backward.
An older man stood near her house.
Renata continued.
“You did the right thing.”
Ruth’s eyes filled.
“I was scared.”
“So was I.”
That surprised her.
“You?”
“Yes.”
Ruth looked toward Gity.
“He said he’d have me arrested.”
Renata glanced at Mercer.
He had already begun writing.
“You were standing on private property recording a public encounter from a safe distance.”
Ruth nodded.
“Keep the original.”
“Don’t edit it.”
“And if you can, don’t post it until investigators make a forensic copy.”
“Why?”
“Because right now it’s evidence before it’s content.”
Ruth lowered her phone.
“All right.”
At 3:36, Lieutenant Harold Brennan arrived.
He parked badly.
Left his SUV door open.
Walked toward Gity.
Then saw Renata’s federal credentials.
His face changed.
“Jesus.”
Gity started:
“Lieutenant, she—”
Brennan raised one hand.
“Stop talking.”
“But—”
“Garrett.”
“Stop.”
Miles stood beside the damaged vehicle.
Brennan looked toward him.
“You all right?”
Miles answered honestly.
“No, sir.”
Brennan nodded.
“Good answer.”
He looked at the baton.
The window.
The handcuff marks.
The federal agents.
Ruth.
“What happened?”
Mercer said:
“That is what we’re going to establish.”
Gity spoke anyway.
“Possible stolen luxury vehicle.”
Brennan looked at him.
“Was it reported stolen?”
Silence.
“Did you run the plate?”
Miles shook his head.
“No, sir.”
Brennan closed his eyes.
“Why is the window broken?”
No answer.
“Garrett.”
Gity pointed toward Renata.
“She was evasive.”
Renata stared.
Mercer’s jaw tightened.
Brennan asked:
“Did she assault you?”
“No.”
“Try to run?”
“No.”
“Reach for a weapon?”
“She wouldn’t comply.”
Miles spoke.
“She complied.”
Gity turned sharply.
Miles kept going.
“She got out when he ordered her to.”
“Hands stayed visible.”
“He pushed her against the car.”