Denise.
Chief Reed.
The detectives.
The bag.
Gary.
Then Claire.
“What happened?”
Claire opened her mouth.
Thomas said:
“She handcuffed my wife.”
Knox looked at him.
“Chief, with respect, I asked Officer Bennett.”
Thomas stiffened.
Denise almost smiled.
Claire swallowed.
“We responded to reported felony shoplifting. Manager alleged Ms. Reed concealed a diamond bracelet valued at approximately forty-eight thousand dollars.”
“Did you recover it?”
“No.”
“Did you search her before cuffing?”
“No.”
“Did she attempt to flee?”
“No.”
“Threaten anyone?”
“No.”
“Refuse lawful commands?”
Claire hesitated.
“She questioned whether she had to provide identification to the manager.”
Knox stared.
“That was not my question.”
“No.”
“Did you verify the item was actually missing?”
“No.”
Claire’s voice became quieter.
“Not before cuffing.”
Knox looked toward Denise.
“Are the cuffs causing pain?”
“No.”
“Do you consent to removal now?”
Denise looked toward Thomas.
Then Claire.
“Yes.”
Knox nodded.
“Bennett.”
Claire stepped behind Denise.
Her fingers felt numb.
She unlocked one cuff.
Then the other.
When Denise brought her hands forward, red pressure marks circled her wrists.
Thomas saw them.
His jaw clenched.
He moved.
Fast.
His hand went toward Claire’s chest.
For one terrifying second she thought he was going to strike her.
Instead he grabbed the metal badge clipped above her pocket and tore it free.
The pin scraped fabric.
Claire gasped.
Thomas held the badge in his fist.
“You are done.”
The store went silent.
Knox said immediately:
“Chief.”
Thomas ignored her.
“You don’t get to wear this after—”
“Thomas.”
Denise’s voice cut harder than his.
He turned.
She looked furious.
Not at Claire.
At him.
“Give it back.”
Thomas stared at his wife.
“No.”
“Give her badge back.”
“She put you in cuffs.”
“Yes.”
“Without evidence.”
“Yes.”
“She mocked you.”
“I was there.”
Thomas looked almost offended.
“Then why are you defending her?”
Denise stepped closer.
“I’m not.”
She glanced at Claire.
“I am defending process.”
Then back to Thomas.
“You do not get to become lawless because someone treated me badly.”
The words hit him.
Everyone heard them.