The review began that afternoon.
Naomi refused to lead it.
Thomas argued with her.
“You’re the director.”
“Which is why I won’t.”
“This happened to you.”
“Exactly.”
They were sitting inside a conference room at the Richmond Federal Complex three hours later.
Naomi had changed clothes.
Her right shoulder had developed a purple bruise.
A medical officer had documented it.
Thomas stood by the window.
“You are allowed to have an opinion.”
“I have several.”
“Then say them.”
“To you?”
“Yes.”
Naomi looked at him.
“I think Mercer has an ego problem.”
Thomas nodded.
“I think he uses compliance as a substitute for legality.”
Thomas nodded again.
“I think the department trained him badly.”
“Interesting.”
“I think supervision failed before today.”
“Why?”
“Because people do not become comfortable slapping credentials out of someone’s hand on the first bad day of their career.”
Thomas sat.
“You think there’s a pattern.”
“I know there is a possibility of one.”
“That’s annoyingly precise.”
“I’m paid to be precise.”
Thomas looked at her bruise.
“You should go home.”
“No.”
“Naomi.”
“Thomas.”
He laughed.
“You're impossible.”
“Correct.”
Assistant Special Agent Elena Brooks entered carrying a tablet.
“I pulled Mercer’s complaint history.”
Naomi looked up.
“How many?”
Elena sat.
“Official?”
“Yes.”
“Seven.”
“Unofficial?”
“Twelve references in supervisor notes.”
Thomas whistled.
Naomi did not.
“What allegations?”
Elena began reading.
“Rude conduct.”
“Unnecessary escalation.”
“Threatening arrest during verbal disputes.”
“Improper search.”
“Force complaint three years ago.”
“Disposition?”
“Unsustained.”
“Video?”
“Camera malfunction.”
Naomi’s expression changed.
“Of course.”
Elena continued.
“Another stop involving a seventeen-year-old. Mercer reportedly shoved him against a hood after the teenager asked whether he was being detained.”
“Disposition?”
“Counseling.”
“Another complaint from a teacher. She claimed Mercer threatened obstruction charges when she filmed him questioning students outside a convenience store.”
Thomas looked at Naomi.
“Pattern.”
Naomi nodded.
“Possible pattern.”
Thomas groaned.
“Fine. Possible.”
Elena said:
“The lieutenant who cleared three complaints is Harris.”
Naomi stopped.
“Today’s lieutenant?”
“Yes.”
Thomas looked toward the door.
“That complicates things.”
Naomi leaned back.
“No.”
“It clarifies them.”
Lieutenant Harris arrived at 6:20 that evening.
He looked older than he had on the roadside.
Naomi sat across from him with Elena present.
No Thomas.
Naomi wanted the conversation calm.
Harris folded his hands.
“I assume this is about Mercer.”
“Yes.”
“I placed him on leave.”
“I know.”
“You need anything else?”