Halbrook stared at the documents. "Those systems are used by dozens of people. Someone could have taken my password."
"We are reviewing credential access and the terminal associated with the activity," Martinez answered. "The issue is not simply whether your username appears. It's whether the evidence submitted under your report accurately represented the complete recording."
"Tessa had access," he said suddenly, turning toward Moreno. "She wanted to protect him. She could have set this up."
Moreno met his eyes. "I preserved the original logs through records. I did not use your account. My actions were documented, and I gave the investigators my own statement."
Halbrook took a step toward her. His attorney caught his sleeve and said something too low for the others to hear. The lieutenant shook his arm free and pointed toward the tablet Martinez was holding. "Give me that. If you're going to accuse me, show me the entire file instead of hiding behind your notes."
"The evidence is available through your counsel under the review process," Martinez replied. "Do not touch the device."
What happened next took less than a second to begin. Halbrook lunged toward Moreno and the tablet, his anger finally overwhelming whatever caution his attorney had tried to impose. Malik stepped sideways into the space between them, raising one arm to prevent the lieutenant from reaching the younger officer. Halbrook turned on him with a sharp, uncontrolled movement and struck him across the side of the face.
The impact stung and sent Malik's head slightly to one side. He did not return the punch. When Halbrook swung again, Malik intercepted his extended arm, moved with the momentum, and guided him back against the side of an empty patrol vehicle where two neutral officers could reach him. The movement was quick and controlled, designed to stop further contact rather than inflict pain.
"Stop," Malik said. "It's over."
Halbrook struggled, trying to wrench his arm free. Moreno called for the neutral officers to intervene, and Malik released his hold as soon as they took control of the situation. He stepped backward with both hands open, breathing hard but saying nothing else. The officers separated Halbrook from the group and secured his hands while Martinez checked on everyone involved.
"You set me up!" Halbrook shouted toward Moreno. "You preserved those records to ruin me!"
Moreno stood near Ward, pale but composed. "I preserved them because they were evidence," she answered. "What they show is what happened."
Halbrook's attorney asked that his client be allowed to stop speaking, and Martinez immediately shifted the matter into the appropriate investigative procedure. The new assault had been witnessed directly by several uninvolved people, and they documented it as a separate incident rather than using it to rewrite what had already been established. Halbrook was advised of the basis for his detention and his rights, and he was transferred for processing under the authority of the investigators responsible for the case.
Vivien had backed toward her own driveway during the commotion. Her attorney stood close beside her, advising her to remain calm and refrain from discussing the evidence in front of the group. Yet she kept looking toward Halbrook, and the confidence in her expression had begun to fracture. The lieutenant who had once greeted her warmly and treated her word as sufficient was now struggling against restraints while independent officers documented what he had done.