Nia produced identification within thirty seconds.
The report continued:
Based on store complaint, witness description, proximity, and subject behavior, officers conducted a lawful search incident to detention and located merchandise matching reported item.
The phrase would become important.
Because store records later showed something very different.
At 11:39, nobody from Maison Arquette had called police.
At 11:39, the store did not even know a bracelet was supposedly missing.
In fact, at 11:39, the bracelet was not listed in the store inventory at all.
But nobody knew that yet.
At 12:18 p.m., Nia sat in an interview room at the Brookhaven Police Department.
Hands uncuffed now.
Door closed.
A camera mounted near the ceiling.
Detective Frank Leland sat across from her.
He had not been at the arrest.
Gray hair.
Glasses.
Calm voice.
He placed photographs on the table.
One showed the bracelet.
One showed the pouch.
One showed Nia’s handbag.
“Do you recognize this?”
“No.”
“You were inside Maison Arquette today.”
“Yes.”
“How long?”
“Maybe five minutes.”
“What did you look at?”
“A handbag.”
“Jewelry?”
“No.”
“Did you approach the jewelry display?”
“I walked past it.”
“Touch anything?”
“No.”
Leland looked toward the file.
“The store says a bracelet disappeared during the period you were inside.”
Nia leaned back.
“Then check the cameras.”
“We will.”
“Do it now.”
“We don't control their system.”
“Then ask them.”
“We have.”
“What did they send you?”
He did not answer.
Nia watched him.
Something was wrong.
“Did they send video of me stealing something?”
Leland looked toward her.
“We're gathering evidence.”
“That means no.”
“I didn't say that.”
“You didn't need to.”
Leland folded his hands.
“The bracelet was found inside your handbag.”
“No.”
“It wasn't.”
“You watched the officers remove it.”
“I watched them claim they removed it.”
“You believe they planted evidence?”
“Yes.”
He studied her.
Not mocking.
Not convinced either.
“Why would they do that?”
“I don't know.”
“Have you met Officer Harlan before?”
“No.”
“Officer Boone?”
“No.”
“Any dispute with police?”
“No.”
“Arrests?”
“No.”
“Charges?”
“No.”
“So two officers who don't know you randomly decide to plant an expensive bracelet on you in a parking lot?”
Nia leaned forward.
“I understand how stupid that sounds.”
Leland waited.
“It still happened.”
He looked at her for several seconds.
Then:
“Would you consent to us reviewing your phone location?”
“Yes.”
“Bank records related to purchases today?”
“Yes.”
“Store receipts?”
“Yes.”
“Fingerprint collection?”
“Yes.”