When I stood up, my legs tingled with pins and needles. Ronan stood next to me and reached for my elbow to steady me.
“Stiff?” he asked.
“Like rigor mortis,” I admitted, moving toward the processing area.
We followed the guard down the hall and joined a small group of other people being processed for release. I signed where the guard told me to, only half listening to the officers talk about charges that might still come.
“My recorder?” I asked as the officer handed back my phone and wallet.
He shrugged. “If they collected it from the scene, it’s evidence.”
“Evidence of what? Federal troops tear-gassing peaceful mourners?” My voice rose, despite my exhaustion.
Ronan’s presence moved closer to me, a silent reminder to pick my battles. I blew out air, frustrated, and shoved my belongings into my pockets.
As they led us to the exit, my heart beat rapidly at the thought of freedom. The morning air felt fresh and cool after the stuffy holding cell. I took a deep breath, hoping to clear out the memory of tear gas.
I paused for a moment, unsure of what to do. My car was still at the protest site, my phone battery was dead, and my body was running on fumes.
“Chief.” A deep voice pulled me from my thoughts. I turned and saw a tall Black man walking toward us, broad-shouldered with silver at his temples, standing straight like a soldier even this early. His eyes moved from Ronan to me and back, curiosity clear on his face.
“Captain Jordan,” Ronan acknowledged.
“I heard what happened. You alright?” Captain Jordan asked.
“Been better. What are you doing over here?” Ronan asked.
“Over here for a meeting. The mayor issued a joint release with federal authorities, calling it a necessary intervention toprevent escalation. You know the bullshit. No offense, ma’am.” Jordan’s eyes looked my way.
“None taken. Bullshit is exactly what it was,” I replied.
“The media is running with it, though. The department is on fire from both sides, the community saying we allow federal overreach, and the Feds saying we weren’t prepared,” Jordan said, turning back to Ronan.
Ronan scoffed. “I’ll address it, but not today. I need your car, Todd.”
Jordan’s eyes rose. “My car?”
“Yeah. I need you to get my department vehicle from the park. We’ll switch back when I return. I need a day.” Ronan held his gaze.
Unsaid sentiments passed between the men. Without further question, Jordan reached into his pocket and pulled out a key fob, pressing it into Ronan’s hand.
“There’s a phone charger in the console. Take more than a day if you need it. This shit storm is not clearing any time soon.”
“Appreciate you,” Ronan replied.
Jordan nodded, turning toward me. “Dr. Price, I heard your podcast on community policing reform. Made some good points.”
I blinked in surprise at his recognition. “Thank you.”
With that, he turned toward the building. “Let me get to this meeting.”
“This way,” Ronan said, gesturing toward a black sedan in the parking lot.
“Is it normal to command your captain’s personal vehicle?”
“Nothing about the last twenty-four hours has been normal. You want to call someone? Or you want to lie low?” Ronan opened the passenger door for me.
I thought about it. The idea of being alone with my thoughts after what happened made my chest ache. “Lie low for a minute.”
