Janelle Parker called shortly after ten.
Her voice was warm, direct, and practiced.
"Commander Brooks?"
"Naomi is fine."
"All right, Naomi. First, how are you feeling?"
"Physically, sore. Emotionally, irritated."
Janelle gave a sympathetic laugh.
"That sounds understandable."
Naomi described the stop.
She was careful with the chronology.
She explained the temporary license.
The initial questions.
The officer tearing it.
The impacts against the car.
The physical shove.
The military credential.
The dispatch verification.
The tow request.
And the arrival of the second trooper and supervisor.
Janelle asked detailed questions.
"Did the officer explain the original reason for stopping you?"
"He said I had crossed the center line."
"Did you?"
"Not to my knowledge."
"Any evidence of your driving before the stop?"
"My vehicle may have forward-facing footage. I haven't accessed it yet."
"Good. Preserve the original data. Don't edit or overwrite anything."
Naomi nodded.
"I was planning to have it exported properly."
"Did he issue a citation?"
"No."
"Did he tell you that you were free to leave?"
"Captain Whitaker ultimately did."
"Did you receive an incident reference number?"
"Yes."
They continued.
Janelle explained the difference between Naomi's personal claims, potential criminal or administrative review of the trooper, and the broader allegations involving towing practices.
Those matters could overlap.
But they were not interchangeable.
Naomi appreciated the distinction.
Then Janelle asked, "How did the trooper react when he learned you were a Navy commander?"
Naomi looked toward the kitchen.
"He became concerned."
"Did he apologize?"
"No."
"Did he release you immediately?"
"No. He continued threatening enforcement until another trooper and a supervisor intervened."
Janelle was quiet.
Then she said, "That's important."
"I know."
"But I want you to remember something."
Naomi waited.
"You don't have to prove you're a perfect victim."
The words surprised her.
Janelle continued.
"You can be angry. You can have a military career. You can own an expensive car. You can have answered a question imperfectly. None of those things makes unlawful treatment acceptable."
Naomi stared at the table.
For a moment, she remembered Malloy's hand gripping her arm.