That small gesture did not escape Amara.
“I understand my officers detained you after a trespassing report.”
“That’s one description.”
Mercer glanced at Beckett and Halpern.
Then at the scrape along Amara’s arm where Beckett had gripped her.
“What happened?”
Beckett began.
Mercer held up one hand.
“I’m asking Dr. Sterling.”
Amara told her.
Slowly.
No embellishment.
The call.
Questions.
ID.
Rosa.
The refusal to verify.
The grab.
Shove.
Bag.
The ownership check.
Vanessa.
Mercer listened.
Then asked:
“Were you handcuffed?”
“No.”
“Threatened with arrest?”
“He told me I was leaving the property.”
“Did you attempt to walk away?”
“No.”
“Did you physically resist?”
“I pulled my arm slightly after he grabbed me.”
“Any strike?”
“No.”
“Push?”
“No.”
“Verbal threat?”
“No.”
Mercer nodded.
“Body cameras should have recorded.”
Beckett said:
“They did.”
Amara looked at the camera on his chest.
Good.
Mercer turned to Rosa.
“You witnessed?”
“Almost all.”
“The landscaper?”
Amara glanced.
He was still near hedge.
“Dante.”
The young man approached.
“Yeah.”
“Did you record?”
Dante held up phone.
“From when he grabbed her.”
Mercer nodded.
“Please preserve original.”
“I already sent it to my boss.”
Smart.
Mercer looked at Halpern.
“What did you do?”
Halpern’s face tightened.
“I ran her information.”
“Before or after Officer Beckett physically detained her?”
“After.”
“Why?”
Halpern did not answer immediately.
“I should’ve done it first.”
Beckett looked at him.
“Scott.”
Mercer snapped:
“Do not coach your partner.”
Beckett closed mouth.
Mercer continued.
“You kicked her bag?”
Halpern looked at scrape.
“Yes.”
“Why?”
“I moved it.”
“With your foot.”
“Yes.”
“Why?”
Halpern breathed.
“Frustration.”
At least honest.
Mercer turned to Beckett.
“Did Dr. Sterling tell you her ID was in bag?”