Amanda visited the following morning.
She wore sweatpants and a plain hoodie, carrying breakfast from Naomi's favorite bakery.
When Naomi opened the door, Amanda immediately frowned.
"You should be sitting down."
Naomi laughed.
"Good morning to you too."
Amanda stepped inside.
"I brought food."
"Of course you did."
They sat in the kitchen.
For a few minutes, they discussed ordinary things.
The baby shower decorations.
David's terrible singing.
And Amanda's upcoming training schedule.
Then Naomi became quiet.
Amanda noticed.
"What is it?"
Naomi looked toward her hands.
For several seconds, she couldn't speak.
Then whispered, "I feel embarrassed."
Amanda frowned.
"Why?"
Naomi swallowed.
"Everybody saw me crying. They saw me fall."
Her eyes filled.
"I couldn't even protect my baby."
Amanda set down her coffee.
For a moment, she looked stunned.
Then she reached across the table.
"Naomi."
The pregnant woman looked up.
Amanda's voice softened.
"You were the person being hurt."
Naomi began crying.
Amanda continued.
"You didn't fail because someone stronger shoved you."
For several seconds, neither spoke.
Then Amanda added.
"You protected your baby by asking for help, getting medical care, and taking care of yourself afterward."
Naomi wiped her cheeks.
"I just felt so helpless."
Amanda nodded.
"I know."
She took a breath.
"Being helpless for one moment doesn't mean you're a helpless person."
For a long time, they sat together.
Then Naomi smiled faintly.
"You're getting pretty good at motivational speeches."
Amanda laughed.
"I've had a good teacher."
Naomi looked toward her.
Then began laughing too.
And for the first time since the incident, the laughter didn't feel forced.
The department's administrative investigation reached its preliminary conclusions almost two months after the incident.
Mercer's evidence records contained significant irregularities.
The number 846 wasn't simply an innocent similarity between two labels. The review showed that the sergeant had reused information associated with an earlier case while preparing records for unrelated encounters.
Several property descriptions did not match the verified contents of the seized bags.
Some reports were completed long after the original stops, with important details omitted.
And the department had repeatedly accepted Mercer's explanations without requiring the discrepancies to be reconciled.
The investigators also examined whether the officer had retained or improperly disposed of property, including prescription medications.
Certain transactions required further review and referral to the appropriate authorities.
But the investigators were careful not to conclude that every missing or inconsistent record proved theft.