Others involved circumstances more complicated than the complainants initially described.

Danielle insisted on that distinction.

"We don't exaggerate," she told Mark.

"I'm not."

"We don't turn every allegation into fact because it fits a pattern we expect."

"I know."

"We do this correctly."

Mark smiled faintly.

"There's the prosecutor."

But the records still raised uncomfortable questions.

Mulligan appeared unusually willing to escalate uncertain encounters before completing simple verification.

And several complaints included language remarkably similar to Danielle's experience.

"Uncooperative."

"Defensive."

"Argumentative."

"Suspicious attitude."

None of those phrases necessarily proved misconduct.

Together, they justified closer examination.

Then Officer Evans requested an interview.

He arrived without Mulligan.

Danielle didn't participate directly because she was personally involved.

Independent investigators handled it.

Evans told them what happened.

He admitted he had thought Mulligan should run the plate.

"Why didn't you?"

The investigator asked.

Evans looked down.

"He's senior."

"That wasn't my question."

Evans remained silent.

Finally:

"I didn't want trouble."

The investigator nodded.

"And what did Ms. Lawson get instead?"

Evans closed his eyes.

"Trouble."

CHAPTER 9 — DANIELLE RETURNS TO THE PARKING LOT

Three weeks after the arrest, Danielle returned to the pharmacy.

She wasn't sure why.

Maybe she wanted to prove she could.

She parked the Lexus in almost the same space.

For a moment she remained inside.

Hands on the steering wheel.

Engine off.

She remembered the cuffs.

The spectators.

The certainty in Mulligan's voice.

Then someone tapped gently on the passenger window.

Danielle startled.

It was Rebecca Miles.

The woman who had recorded the incident.

Danielle lowered the window.

"Ms. Lawson?"

"Yes."

Rebecca looked embarrassed.

"I hope I'm not bothering you."

"No."

"I recognized the car."

Danielle smiled faintly.

"Apparently that's dangerous."

Rebecca laughed nervously.

Then became serious.

"I've wanted to apologize."

"For what?"

"For standing there."

Danielle frowned.