Marcus looked up slowly.
His expression had changed.
The anger was still there.
But now something colder had settled beneath it.
"Do you understand what you just did?"
Walsh shrugged.
"Enforced the rules."
Marcus looked toward the ruined cake.
"What rule?"
Walsh pointed toward the parking lot.
"Leave before I arrest you."
Marcus stood carefully, lifting Caleb into his arms.
The boy wrapped his legs around his father's waist.
His red cape hung down Marcus's side.
For a moment, father and son looked exactly like they had that morning in Marcus's bedroom.
Except now Caleb was crying.
And Marcus was trying not to.
Officer Fletcher had watched the entire incident.
He had seen the permit.
He had seen Marcus remain calm.
He had seen Walsh shove him.
And he had watched the cake being thrown and crushed.
Fletcher knew the behavior was unjustifiable.
But he also knew Walsh's reputation.
The senior officer had a habit of making life difficult for colleagues who questioned him.
Fletcher had been warned about it during his first month in the district.
Don't get on Derek's bad side.
The advice had seemed practical at the time.
Now, standing beside a crying child, Fletcher realized how dangerous it was.
He stepped toward Walsh.
"Derek, enough."
Walsh turned.
"What?"
"There's no reason to continue this."
Walsh stared at him.
"Are you giving me orders?"
"No. I'm saying the permit is valid."
Walsh's expression darkened.
"Get back to the cruiser."
Fletcher hesitated.
Then he looked toward the child.
Caleb's face was buried against his father's shoulder.
His little hands gripped the gray T-shirt.
Fletcher felt ashamed.
He reached for his radio.
"Dispatch, Unit Twelve."
Walsh turned sharply.
"What are you doing?"
"Requesting a supervisor."
"I am the senior officer here."
"Then we need a lieutenant."
Walsh stepped closer.
"Cancel that."
Fletcher held the radio.
He could feel his pulse pounding.
Then he spoke.
"Dispatch, Unit Twelve. Requesting an immediate supervisor response at Riverside Community Park, Pavilion Three. Possible officer misconduct involving a civilian family."
The radio crackled.
For a second, neither officer moved.
Then a dispatcher answered.
"Unit Twelve, confirm nature of request."