He turned back to the sergeant.
"Sir, you need to stop threatening witnesses."
Pike's expression hardened.
"You think your uniform gives you authority over me?"
The general shook his head.
"No."
For a moment, the answer seemed to surprise everyone.
Then he continued.
"The law governs your conduct. Not my rank."
The sergeant stared.
The general looked directly into his eyes.
"And the public has a right to know what happened here."
The young officer had already called dispatch.
He requested an ambulance, the police chief, and an additional supervisor.
He also reported that an officer had used physical force against an elderly woman and that several witnesses were present.
For a moment, the dispatcher seemed confused.
"Was the officer injured?"
The young officer took a breath.
"No. The civilian may be injured."
There was a pause.
Then the dispatcher asked whether the scene was secure.
The younger officer looked toward Pike.
The sergeant was still standing beside the general, breathing heavily.
His baton had been lowered, but he hadn't yet returned it to its holder.
The younger officer answered carefully.
"The immediate threat has stopped. I need a supervisor here."
The dispatcher acknowledged the request.
Then asked for the officer involved.
The young officer hesitated.
He knew this report would change his relationship with Pike.
Perhaps permanently.
But he also knew the widow had been slapped in front of several witnesses.
And the incident could not be made less serious by pretending the facts were unclear.
He gave Pike's name and badge number.
Then he stated that his body camera had been activated before the physical confrontation.
The dispatcher repeated the information.
For several seconds, the young officer stared toward his senior partner.
Then he lowered the radio.
He felt frightened.
But he had finally done what his training required.
Pike heard the call.
His expression changed.
He stepped toward the younger officer.
"Why did you report it like that?"
The young officer looked up.
"Because that's what happened."
The sergeant stared.
For a moment, he seemed unable to believe the answer.
Then he leaned closer.
"You trying to ruin my career?"
The younger officer swallowed.
"I'm documenting the incident."
Pike looked toward the crowd.
Several phones remained raised.
He turned toward the general.
Then toward the widow.
His face reddened again.
"Your mother caused this whole mess."
The general's expression hardened.
He shifted slightly, keeping himself between the sergeant and the elderly woman.