Before placing Simone inside, he leaned toward her ear.
"You could've made this easy."
She looked at him.
"Officer, will your body camera show everything?"
Something changed in his expression.
It lasted less than a second.
But she saw it.
"My camera shows what it needs to show."
He pushed her into the back seat and closed the door.
Through the window, Simone saw Ethan standing near the tree.
His phone was still raised.
She met his eyes.
Then she gave a nearly imperceptible nod.
It was enough.
He kept recording until the cruiser disappeared.
Riverside Police Headquarters occupied a two-story brick building on the edge of downtown.
Its lobby displayed a large framed photograph of the department's founding officers.
Below it hung a polished plaque bearing the words:
Honor. Service. Integrity.
Arthur Bell had once stood beneath that plaque after being warned to stop asking questions about missing evidence.
Daniel Carter had walked past it after filing his complaint.
Now Simone entered the same building in handcuffs.
Matthews guided her through the processing area with one hand gripping her upper arm.
He had become more confident during the drive.
He spoke casually to another officer.
"Got one from Riverside Park."
"What'd she do?"
"Resisted detention. Possible narcotics."
Simone looked at the floor.
She had already decided not to argue with his summary.
The statement was being made in front of witnesses.
It could be compared against video.
That mattered more than persuading him.
A younger officer approached.
His name was Owen Price.
He was twenty-six and had been with the department for eighteen months.
Price looked at Simone's swollen cheek.
"What happened?"
Matthews answered before she could speak.
"She became aggressive."
Price glanced at her handcuffs.
"Medical evaluation?"
"She's fine."
Simone lifted her head.
"I would like medical care, please."
Matthews sighed.
"See? This is what I'm dealing with."
Price hesitated.
Then he reached for a form.
"I'll note the request."
Matthews stared at him.
"Process her first."
Price lowered his eyes.
"Yes, sir."
It was a small moment.
One of many small moments that had allowed the department's culture to harden over time.
An officer knew something should be done.