No arrest.
No complaint.
No data point.
Maybe no policy violation.
But part of culture.
“What officer?”
The man frowned.
“White guy.”
“Thirty-something.”
Simone did not supply Mercer’s description.
That would contaminate recall.
“Do you remember anything else?”
“Name started with M.”
Simone kept her face neutral.
“Would your nephew speak with an investigator?”
The man hesitated.
“Maybe.”
She handed him a bureau card.
“Ask him.”
“No pressure.”
He took it.
Then looked at her folder.
“You government?”
“Yes.”
He smiled.
“That officer picked a bad morning.”
Simone’s expression changed.
“No.”
The man frowned.
She continued:
“He picked an ordinary morning.”
“That is more important.”
Back at the curb, Mercer stood beside Lieutenant Hale feeling as though the entire neighborhood had shifted underneath him.
He had been stopped by supervisors before.
Questioned after arrests.
Reviewed after force incidents.
Nothing felt like this.
Because there had been no dramatic event.
No chase.
No weapon.
No suspect.
Just questions.
His questions.
Her answers.
His own voice replayed in his head.
Look where you are.
God.
Hale stared at him.
“Tell me exactly what the caller said.”
Mercer rubbed his jaw.
“Dispatch said suspicious female.”
“That’s not what I asked.”
He looked toward her.
Hale continued:
“What did the caller report?”
“I need to hear the audio.”
“Fine.”
“What did you personally observe before initiating contact?”
Mercer thought.
“She was walking slowly.”
“Legal.”
“Yes.”
“Taking notes.”
“Legal.”
“Yes.”
“Looking at houses.”
“Legal.”
He exhaled.
“Rebecca.”
“Lieutenant.”
His face tightened.
They had known each other for five years.
That correction hurt.
Fine.
“Lieutenant, I was responding to a call.”
“That gives you reason to investigate.”
“Not automatic reason to detain.”
“I know.”
“Then why did you tell her she wasn’t free to leave?”
Mercer looked toward the sidewalk where Simone had disappeared.
“I thought…”
Hale waited.
He hated the silence.
“I thought she was being evasive.”
Hale looked at him.
“That’s the answer?”
He became defensive.
“People who have a legitimate reason to be somewhere usually just explain.”
Hale’s face changed.
“Do you hear yourself?”
“What?”
“People who have a legitimate reason.”
“Yes.”
“What legitimate reason do I need to walk on this sidewalk?”
“You know what I mean.”
She went still.
Mercer heard it.
The phrase Simone had challenged.
Again.
Hale said:
“No.”
“I don’t.”
He looked away.
Hale continued:
“You have twenty minutes before shift supervisor relief arrives.”
“You will return to station.”
“Upload bodycam.”