"This is my café."
"And I'm responsible for public safety in this city."
"He's not threatening anyone."
Thornton ignored her.
He turned back toward Aaron.
"Get up."
Aaron remained calm.
"Chief, I would like to finish my coffee."
Thornton leaned over him.
"This is your final warning."
Aaron looked directly into his eyes.
"On what legal basis are you ordering me to leave?"
The chief's jaw tightened.
Then his hand closed around the front of Aaron's olive-green vest.
And the investigation changed forever.
Thornton yanked him forward.
The wooden chair scraped sharply against the tile.
Aaron's coffee cup tipped.
Dark liquid spilled across the table and struck the floor.
A woman near the window gasped.
Aaron braced one hand against the table to keep his balance.
"Chief, don't put your hands on me."
Thornton shoved him again.
"Stand up!"
Aaron rose.
But before he could straighten fully, Thornton drove him backward against the edge of the table.
The corner struck Aaron's hip.
The newspaper slid to the floor.
His glasses shifted across his nose.
Officer Sullivan stepped closer.
"Chief—"
"Stay back," Thornton snapped.
Nora moved around the counter.
"Gerald, stop!"
Thornton seized Aaron's arm.
"You're under arrest."
"For what?"
"Trespassing."
Aaron looked toward Nora.
"Has she asked me to leave?"
Thornton twisted his arm behind his back.
"Failure to comply."
Aaron winced.
"I am not resisting."
Thornton pulled his other arm backward.
"Resisting arrest."