The younger man straightened.
"Yes, sir."
"You're going to provide a complete and accurate account of what happened."
"Yes, sir."
The deputy studied him.
"That includes your own actions and omissions."
Reeves swallowed.
"Understood."
Brooks nodded.
Then continued.
"If you believed something was wrong, I need to know what you observed and what you did about it."
For several seconds, Reeves stared toward the ground.
Then answered quietly.
"I tried to get him to verify the identification."
Brooks waited.
Reeves continued.
"But I didn't do enough."
The deputy didn't immediately respond.
Finally, he said, "Then be truthful about that."
Reeves nodded.
He knew his career might be affected.
But for the first time since arriving, he felt that telling the truth was more important than protecting himself from an uncomfortable conversation.
Grant approached Brooks again.
"Sir, with respect, I didn't know who she was."
The deputy looked at him.
"That's one of the questions the review will examine."
Grant gestured toward the house.
"The alarm was active. We had a suspicious-person situation."
Brooks nodded.
"You were responding to an alarm."
"Yes, sir."
"And she said she owned the house?"
Grant hesitated.
"She claimedβ"
"Did she say it?"
The sergeant swallowed.
"Yes."
"Did she offer identification?"
Grant looked toward the Lexus.
"Yes, but I believedβ"
"Did you check it?"
Grant remained silent.
Brooks took a slow breath.
"You're not being asked to explain the entire incident in the driveway. You'll give a formal statement."
The sergeant nodded.
But then he said something that made Naomi turn.
"If she'd just complied from the beginning, none of this would have happened."
The entire garage became quiet.
Naomi looked toward him.
For several seconds, she seemed to be choosing her words carefully.
Then she spoke.
"Sergeant, I did comply."
Grant stared.
She continued.
"I raised my hands. I told you where my identification was. I told you my name. I identified my house. I didn't strike you or attempt to flee."
Her voice remained controlled.
"You decided every answer was another reason not to believe me."
Grant opened his mouth.
Then closed it.
Naomi looked toward Reeves.
"You heard me."
The younger officer nodded.
"Yes, ma'am."
She turned back toward Grant.
"And you had the badge in your hand."
For a moment, the sergeant's face reddened.
He looked away.
Naomi took a slow breath.
"I don't expect special treatment because I'm chief."
She paused.
"I expect officers to examine the facts before using authority against someone."
No one spoke.
Then she added quietly.
"That standard is supposed to protect every resident on this street."
A medical team arrived and examined Naomi.
They confirmed that she needed further assessment for her shoulder and wrists.