Collins's posture stiffened. More witnesses were becoming a problem. He looked down at Ethan. "You were reported." Ethan replied, "For what?" Collins did not answer.
David heard that. He took another step forward. "Sergeant, what exactly was the reported offense?" Collins's eyes narrowed. "You need to back up." David stopped again. "I asked what offense was reported." "You interfering with my investigation?" "No." "Then stop questioning me."
David looked toward the body camera on Collins's chest. A small red light indicated recording. "Your camera is active?" Collins glanced down. "Why?" "Because I want the record preserved."
Something about the sentence bothered Collins. He looked more carefully at David. The suit was expensive but understated. No visible badge. No obvious security detail. No government pin. Only confidence.
"You think because you're his father you're going to intimidate me?" David looked directly into his eyes. "No. I think the evidence will do that by itself."
The second patrol officer at the scene, Officer Maya Torres, had been standing near the cruiser since Collins first approached Ethan. She had looked uncomfortable for several minutes, but Collins outranked her and had taken control of the contact before she fully understood what was happening.
Now she stepped closer. "Sergeant." Collins looked over. "What?" "Maybe we should bring him up." "No." "He's secure." "I said no." Torres looked toward the witnesses. Then toward David. "We can finish the investigation standing." Collins's voice sharpened. "Officer Torres, go manage the crowd."
David watched the exchange carefully. Ethan did too. Collins had not merely lost patience with a teenager. He was becoming defensive with everyone around him.
David reached slowly inside his jacket. Collins reacted instantly. "Hands!"
CHAPTER 2 - FEDERAL CREDENTIALS
"No. It isn't." Then he looked back at Collins. "But you are going to have to explain it." Collins stepped closer. "You think because you're his father you can intimidate me?" David shook his head. "No." "What, then?" "I think evidence is going to answer the questions."
Ethan heard footsteps behind David. Evelyn moved forward. "Sergeant." Collins looked at her. "Who are you?" Evelyn reached inside her jacket. Collins's hand immediately moved toward his belt. "Hands!" Evelyn stopped. David raised both hands. "She's reaching for identification." "I didn't ask for identification."
Evelyn slowly withdrew a federal credential. Collins stared. "Federal Bureau of Investigation." The crowd became silent. Evelyn continued. "Special Counsel Evelyn Stone. And this is Executive Assistant Director David Miller."