He was eventually transported to a hospital after becoming unresponsive.
He died the following morning.
The official finding identified a medical complication.
The case was closed.
Margaret stared at the table.
“They told me his death was nobody's fault.”
Daniel looked through the paperwork.
“Was there an independent review?”
“There was supposed to be.”
“Do you have the result?”
She handed him another folder.
It contained a brief administrative summary.
The language was vague.
No sustained misconduct finding.
No conclusive evidence of improper force.
No basis for disciplinary action.
Daniel frowned.
“Did anyone explain the gaps in the timeline?”
Margaret looked up.
“What gaps?”
He pointed toward the records.
“There are several periods without clear documentation.”
She shook her head.
“Nobody ever told me.”
Daniel's jaw tightened.
He continued reading.
Jonathan had entered processing shortly after midnight.
The records showed an initial property inventory.
Then a medical screening notation.
Then a long period with no detailed entry.
A later report claimed he had suddenly collapsed.
Daniel looked toward Margaret.
“May I listen to the recording?”
She nodded.
Her hands shook as she removed a small digital recorder from her bag.
It was old.
The plastic casing had scratches.
She pressed play.
At first, there was only background noise.
Then a man's voice.
Young.
Tired.
“Mom, it's me.”
Margaret closed her eyes.
The recording continued.
“Don't worry. I'm at the station.”
A pause.
“Yeah, I know. I was coming home.”
Daniel remained still.
Jonathan's voice became quieter.
“They're saying I was driving drunk. I wasn't.”
Someone shouted in the background.
The words were indistinct.
Jonathan spoke again.
“I need you to call my lawyer if I don't get out by morning.”
Another voice sounded.
Closer.
Angry.
Then Jonathan whispered, “There's this officer here. Briggs. He's been giving me trouble since I came in.”
Daniel leaned forward.
The recording crackled.
Jonathan continued.
“He keeps saying nobody's coming for me.”
Margaret pressed her hand against her mouth.
A male voice shouted.
“Put that phone away.”
Jonathan answered.
“I'm talking to my mother.”
A loud movement followed.
Then the recording ended.
Daniel stared at the device.
For a long time, nobody spoke.
Finally Margaret whispered, “That was the last time I heard his voice.”
Daniel looked at the recorder.
He felt the same cold anger he had experienced inside Riverside Central.
But he forced himself to remain focused.
The recording raised serious questions.
It did not establish exactly what happened after the call.
That distinction mattered.
He looked at Margaret.
“This needs to be independently examined.”