The metal bit cold around her skin.
She lifted her chin toward Dugan’s chest.
“State your badge numbers.”
Dugan blinked.
“What?”
“Your badge numbers. All three of you.”
Kessler yanked her arm.
“You’re not making demands.”
“Every officer involved in my arrest will be identified.”
Hale spoke before the others could.
“Captain Martin Hale. Badge 2147.”
He said it like he hated himself for saying it.
Claire repeated it back.
Then she looked at Dugan.
He hesitated.
She kept looking.
He gave it.
She repeated that one too.
Then Kessler’s.
She said all three aloud a second time, slow enough for the recorder to catch every number cleanly.
Kessler’s jaw flexed.
Claire glanced at Dugan’s body camera.
“Is that recording?”
His hand flew to his chest.
The red light was blinking.
Good.
She looked at Kessler’s.
Also recording.
Good again.
Then she looked at Hale.
