“There was no matching description.”
“We’ll review that.”
“Your officer already admitted the call involved a blue sedan.”
Hollis paused.
Marcus continued.
“My vehicle is a black SUV.”
“Intelligence can evolve.”
“That sentence doesn’t create probable cause.”
Hollis studied him.
Then shifted tactics.
“The department will cover damages.”
Marcus said nothing.
“We can replace anything broken.”
“Federal property cannot be handled as an informal courtesy.”
“No one is suggesting anything improper.”
“You’re suggesting no paperwork.”
Hollis smiled faintly.
“I’m suggesting professionals can sometimes resolve misunderstandings without turning them into institutional conflicts.”
Marcus watched his eyes.
There it was.
Not apology.
Containment.
“How many complaints does Mercer already have?”
Hollis’s expression tightened.
“Excuse me?”
“You mentioned institutional conflict before I mentioned filing anything.”
“I’m trying to be practical.”
“So am I.”
Hollis’s voice lowered.
“Sergeant Mercer has served this city a long time.”
“That does not give him authority to invent a vehicle match.”
“You don’t know what information he had.”
“Neither does your dispatch system, apparently.”
Hollis looked back toward Danner.
The younger officer was photographing the roadside debris.
Hollis returned his attention to Marcus.
“Another formal complaint could become complicated.”
“For Mercer?”
“For everybody.”
Marcus understood.
“You’re warning me.”
“I’m advising you.”