“So why did you stop asking?”
The younger officer swallowed.
“Because he’s senior.”
“That is not an answer.”
The officer looked embarrassed.
“I didn’t want to undermine him.”
The Black woman nodded slowly.
That was honest.
“Tomorrow, remember this.”
He looked up.
“Respecting seniority does not require surrendering judgment.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
She turned toward the captain.
“Who called this in?”
“Dispatch can pull it.”
“Do that.”
The senior officer looked alarmed again.
The Black woman saw.
“What?”
“Nothing.”
“No.”
She shook her head.
“You’ve been very comfortable asking questions.”
“Now answer mine.”
He swallowed.
“I don’t know who called.”
“Good.”
“Then we find out before assigning motive.”
Precision.
The captain nodded.
The Black woman looked toward the witness across the street.
“Ma’am.”
The dog walker stiffened.
“Would you be willing to give the captain your name and contact information?”
“Yes.”
“Thank you.”
Then the Black woman turned.
She had another half mile before reaching her apartment.
The captain looked toward the command SUV.
“I can drive you.”
“No.”
He stared.
“Deputy Chief.”
“I’m finishing my run.”
The senior officer looked stunned.
The captain almost laughed from sheer disbelief.
“You’re serious?”
“Yes.”
She adjusted the headband.
“Pick me up at 6:55 instead of 6:50.”
“You sure?”
She looked down the sidewalk.
“I was stopped.”
“I was not defeated.”
Then she started jogging.
Nobody moved.
The captain watched her disappear around the curve.
The senior officer looked toward his body camera.
The younger officer looked toward the captain.
The dog walker remained near the curb.
Finally, the captain turned toward the senior officer.
“What the hell were you thinking?”
The officer rubbed one hand across his face.
“I got a suspicious-person call.”
“That is not what I asked.”
The officer’s jaw tightened.
“Captain, she wouldn’t give me her address.”
“She gave you the street.”
“She refused ID.”
“Was ID legally required?”
The officer said nothing.
The captain stared.
“Was it?”
“No.”
“Was she suspected of a specific crime?”
“Possible casing.”
“Based on?”
“Caller.”
“What did caller observe?”
The officer’s expression changed.
The captain saw.
“You don’t know.”
“I was trying to investigate.”
“No.”
The captain shook his head.
“You were trying to make the stop justify itself after it started.”
The senior officer looked angry.
“You weren’t here.”
“No.”
The captain pointed toward the body camera.
“But I will be.”
The older officer said:
“You already decided.”
The captain’s face hardened.
“Be careful.”
“What?”
“You’re about to do exactly what you accused her of doing.”