But the central sequence was consistent.
Mercer destroyed plants.
Talia objected.
Then ordered Bennett to apply handcuffs.
The administrative and legal reviews would determine the consequences.
But the available evidence strongly contradicted the sergeant's suggestion that he was responding to a violent threat.
And the false ownership information made the entire basis of the assignment even more questionable.
Mercer's interview took place three weeks after the incident.
He arrived with appropriate representation and appeared visibly irritated by the questions.
Nadia began with the dispatch entry.
"Sergeant, did you verify the removal order before entering the property?"
Mercer leaned backward.
"I relied on the information provided."
Nadia placed a copy of the complaint on the table.
"The listed complainant had been deceased for eleven months."
Mercer's expression tightened.
"I didn't know that."
"Officer Bennett raised concerns about the ownership information."
He looked toward the document.
"She was second-guessing the assignment."
Nadia didn't argue.
Instead, she asked whether he contacted the code office before damaging the roses.
He shook his head.
"Not at that point."
"Did you see an imminent threat to public safety?"
"The vegetation was a reported obstruction."
Nadia looked toward the photographs.
The sidewalk was clear.
The flowers stood within the white fence.
And no vehicle sightline appeared blocked.
She asked him to identify the specific hazard.
He began describing the general purpose of the program.
Nadia listened.
Then repeated the question.
"What condition did you personally observe that required immediate destruction of those plants?"
For several seconds, Mercer remained silent.
Finally, he answered.
"I believed the homeowner was refusing compliance."
The investigator made a note.
Then looked up.
"That describes your belief about her attitude. It doesn't identify a safety hazard."
Mercer's face reddened.
And for the first time, he appeared to understand that confidence alone wasn't going to resolve the questions.
The interview became more difficult when Nadia asked about the shove.
Mercer claimed Talia moved aggressively toward him.
Nadia played the body-camera footage.
The video showed Talia stepping toward her mother's rose garden after Mercer kicked another plant.
Her hands were visible.
She wasn't carrying a weapon.
And she didn't reach toward the sergeant.
Mercer watched silently.
Then Nadia paused the recording.
"What did you believe she was about to do?"
"Interfere with the removal."
The investigator nodded.
He didn't answer immediately.
Finally, he said he believed she might try to physically stop him.
Nadia asked whether he considered stepping back, explaining the procedure, or requesting supervisory guidance.
Mercer shook his head.
"I had to maintain control."
Then asked why he ordered handcuffs after the shove.
He described Talia as noncompliant.
Nadia returned to the video.
She played the sequence in which Talia raised her hands and offered to cooperate.
Mercer's expression became strained.
For several seconds, he stared at the screen.
"People can look cooperative while still resisting authority."
Nadia studied him.
She didn't react emotionally.
Instead, she asked another question.
"What specific action constituted resistance?"
Mercer remained silent.
And the room became uncomfortable.
Bennett's interview was different.
She arrived nervous but prepared.
She had reviewed her notes and wanted to provide a complete account.
Nadia asked her to describe the original assignment.