"She's claiming to beβ"
"Have you verified it?"
The sergeant's expression changed.
For a moment, he looked toward Naomi.
Then back at Brooks.
"She has a badge that appears questionable."
Brooks stared.
"That's Chief Naomi Carter."
Grant's mouth opened.
The deputy continued.
"You're standing in her garage. That's her vehicle. And you have her in handcuffs."
The sergeant looked toward the identification case on the hood.
For several seconds, he seemed genuinely unable to understand what was happening.
Then he began speaking rapidly.
"Sir, she matched a description. We had an alarm call, and she wasn't cooperating withβ"
Brooks raised one hand.
"Stop."
Grant fell silent.
The deputy looked toward Reeves.
"Officer, identify the basis for the detention."
Reeves swallowed.
"Residential alarm activation, sir. The monitoring company couldn't confirm the entry."
Brooks nodded.
"And what happened after you arrived?"
The younger officer glanced toward Grant.
Then toward Naomi.
For a moment, his hesitation was visible.
Brooks waited.
Finally, Reeves answered.
"She said she was the homeowner. She offered identification."
Grant's head snapped toward him.
"Reevesβ"
Brooks turned sharply.
"Sergeant, do not interrupt."
The silence that followed seemed to fill the entire garage.
Then Brooks looked toward Naomi.
"Chief, are you injured?"
She took a careful breath.
"My right shoulder hurts. The cuffs are too tight."
His expression hardened.
He turned toward Grant.
"Have the cuffs removed safely and checked immediately."
For the first time, Grant's confidence disappeared completely.
Officer Reeves moved forward.
He looked toward Naomi.
"Ma'am, I'm going to remove the cuffs."
She nodded.
"Thank you."
He worked carefully.
When the restraints came free, Naomi brought her arms forward slowly.
Her wrists were marked by pressure, and her shoulder protested with every movement.
She didn't immediately straighten.
She rested one hand against the Lexus and took several measured breaths.
Brooks watched her carefully.
"Do you need medical attention?"
Naomi considered the question.
Part of her wanted to say no.
She was the chief.
She had responsibilities.
And an entire street was watching.
But she knew that minimizing pain simply because she didn't want attention would contradict the advice she'd given to countless officers and civilians.
"Yes," she answered. "I want my shoulder examined."
Brooks nodded.
He called for medical assistance.
Then turned toward the officers.
"Both of you will remain available. There will be a documented review of this encounter."
Grant looked frightened.
"Sir, I can explain."
"You'll have the opportunity to provide your statement through the proper process."
Brooks glanced toward the body cameras.
"And nobody is to interfere with any recording or report."
The sergeant swallowed.
He appeared ready to argue.
Then stopped.
Naomi slowly straightened.