Confusion first.
Marcus said:
“Marcus Cole.”
“Director, State Professional Standards Bureau.”
Mercer's baton lowered two inches.
Aaliyah watched the blood drain from his face.
Marcus continued:
“You're Officer Travis Mercer.”
Mercer said nothing.
“Your unit was scheduled for an independent conduct review at fourteen hundred hours today.”
Daniels looked at Mercer.
Mercer stared.
Marcus's voice hardened.
“That review has just started early.”
The market became completely silent.
Mercer looked toward Aaliyah.
Then Marcus.
Then back.
“You know her?”
Marcus's eyes turned toward his daughter.
“Yes.”
Aaliyah could see what he wanted to do.
Cross the distance.
Check her arm.
Hold her.
Become only a father.
He did not.
Not yet.
He looked at Mercer.
“She is my daughter.”
Someone in the crowd whispered:
“Oh my God.”
Mercer's baton dropped slightly lower.
Marcus continued:
“And that fact is the least important thing you need to understand right now.”
Mercer blinked.
“What?”
Marcus stepped closer.
“You should not have needed to know who her father was before deciding not to strike her.”
The words changed the moment.
Aaliyah felt it.
So did Daniels.
Marcus looked toward him.
“Officer Daniels.”
The younger officer straightened.
“How do you know my name?”
“Your badge is visible.”
Daniels nodded.
Marcus continued:
“You told him to stop.”
“Yes, sir.”
“How early?”
Daniels looked toward Mercer.
Then Aaliyah.
“After he grabbed her.”
Marcus's jaw tightened.
“Before the baton?”
“Yes.”
“Did you believe she was presenting a threat?”
“No.”
“Did you observe stolen property?”
“No.”
“Did any vendor identify her as a thief?”
“No.”
Mercer snapped:
“Stop answering him!”
Marcus turned.
Mercer immediately realized what he had done.
Marcus said:
“You are currently instructing a witness not to answer the state official responsible for reviewing professional conduct.”
Mercer swallowed.
“I didn't mean—”
“Do not explain yet.”
Marcus pointed toward the baton.
“Put it down.”
Mercer hesitated.
That was another mistake.
Daniels looked at him.
“Travis.”
The older officer finally placed the baton on a nearby table.
Marcus nodded toward Daniels.
“Secure it.”
Daniels picked it up carefully.
Marcus turned toward the three investigators behind him.
“Call local watch command.”
“They're already en route,” the woman said.
“Good.”
Aaliyah finally spoke.
“Dad.”
Marcus looked at her.
The professional mask broke for half a second.
“You hurt?”
“My arm.”
“Can you move your fingers?”
Aaliyah flexed them.
“Yes.”
“Head?”
“He didn't hit my head.”
“Any fall?”
“No.”
Marcus exhaled.
Then stopped himself.
Aaliyah knew.
He wanted to touch her.
Not while the investigation began.
Conflict.
Everyone would say father used position to control outcome.
He knew better.
Marcus looked toward the female investigator.
“Ms. Cole needs medical evaluation.”
The investigator nodded.
Aaliyah stared.
“I'm standing right here.”
Marcus looked at her.
“Then you can decline it directly to Investigator Price.”
Aaliyah almost smiled despite the pain.
“Fine.”
Investigator Price stepped closer.