The Commander looked at him.
The Chief's expression hardened.
"What mistake?"
The Sergeant stood straighter.
"I know this man."
The Commander spoke for the first time.
"Yes."
His voice was calm.
"You do."
The room changed instantly.
Officers began looking between them.
The Sergeant stepped into the aisle.
"Three nights ago, he was involved in a traffic stop."
The Commander nodded.
"I was."
"You were argumentative."
The younger officer's head came up.
The Sergeant continued.
"You interfered with a lawful detention."
The Commander placed one hand on the folder.
"Interesting."
The Sergeant looked toward the Chief.
"Chief, I think you need to understand what happened."
The Chief stared at him.
"I do."
The Sergeant stopped.
The Chief continued.
"I watched the recording."
Nobody moved.
The Sergeant's face paled.
"What recording?"
The younger officer looked toward his lap.
The Commander opened the folder.
The Sergeant saw the first page.
Complaint Review.
He turned toward the younger officer.
"You kept that footage?"
The young officer looked up.
"It uploads automatically."
The Sergeant's jaw clenched.
"You know what I mean."
The Chief stepped forward.
"Sergeant."
The Sergeant turned back.
The Chief's voice dropped.
"Be very careful what you say next."
The room had become absolutely silent.
The Commander closed the folder.
"I did not request this discussion during my introduction."
The Sergeant laughed nervously.
"Well, we're having it now."
The Commander studied him.
"Are we?"
"You filed a complaint."
"Yes."
"After finding out you were coming here."
"No."
The Commander's expression did not change.
"I filed it because of what happened."
The Sergeant shook his head.
"This is retaliation."
The Commander looked toward the Chief.
Then back at him.
"I didn't select this assignment after the traffic stop."
The Sergeant stopped moving.
The Commander continued.
"My appointment had been finalized six days before you stopped me."
Several officers exchanged looks.
The Sergeant's face collapsed.
The Commander pulled a document from the folder.
"Signed Wednesday."
The stop had happened Friday.
His appointment had existed before they ever met.
The Sergeant looked toward the Chief.
"You knew?"
"Not during the stop."
"When did you know?"
"Saturday morning."
"And you let this happen?"
The Chief frowned.
"Let what happen?"
"This."
The Sergeant gestured toward the Commander.
The Chief's voice became cold.
"His scheduled appointment?"
The Sergeant realized how he sounded.