She looked at him.
"My wallet fell when you shoved me."
Mercer opened his mouth.
Then closed it.
Talia continued.
"Before that, I offered to show you my identification."
Bennett lowered her eyes.
She knew it was true.
The body cameras had captured the conversation.
Mercer looked toward the rose garden.
Then attempted to shift the argument back to the landscaping complaint.
"That doesn't change the violation."
Talia shook her head.
"There is no verified removal order in your paperwork."
He stared.
She continued.
"And the woman your complaint identifies as the current owner died almost a year ago."
For several seconds, the air seemed completely still.
Then Bennett spoke.
"Sergeant, we need a supervisor."
Mercer turned angrily.
"I am the supervisor."
The younger officer didn't lower her gaze.
"You're involved in the incident."
He stared at her.
Bennett swallowed.
But she continued.
"We need another supervisor to review the detention."
For a moment, Mercer looked ready to shout.
Then he noticed Margaret recording from across the street.
Daniel stood beside her.
A third neighbor had emerged from a nearby house.
The sergeant looked at the phones.
Then at Talia.
His confidence seemed to evaporate.
Finally, he stepped backward.
"Call the lieutenant."
Bennett did.
Lieutenant Robert Hale arrived nine minutes later.
He was fifty-four, with short graying hair and a calm, serious manner. He'd served in the Briar Glen Police Department for more than twenty-five years, including several years supervising patrol operations.
He stepped from his vehicle and immediately noticed the damaged rosebushes.
Then he saw Talia.
Her platinum-white hair shone in the morning sunlight.
The olive-green crop top, camouflage shorts, and tan boots made her look like an ordinary homeowner working in the yard.
Her hands remained cuffed behind her.
Hale approached Bennett first.
"What's the situation?"
She provided the dispatch number and began explaining.
Mercer interrupted.
"Lieutenant, we had a noncompliant property owner interfering with city enforcement."
Hale held up one hand.
"I'll hear everyone's account."
He turned toward Bennett.
She continued.
The original complaint involved vegetation removal.
Talia said she owned the property.
The listed owner was deceased.
No authenticated removal order had been produced.
And the sergeant used force during the confrontation.
Hale looked toward Mercer.
Then toward Talia.
"Ma'am, are you injured?"
She took a slow breath.
"My right shoulder hurts. And I'd like the restraints removed if there's no lawful reason to continue the detention."
The lieutenant nodded.
He looked at Bennett.
"What is the current basis for holding her?"
The younger officer hesitated.
Then answered honestly.
"I can't identify one from the information available."
Hale looked toward Mercer.
For several seconds, the sergeant remained silent.