Neither man was smiling. In fact, O'Reilly looked like he was on the verge of a violent stroke. "Cap," Dempsey breathed, relief flooding his voice. "Greg, thank God. Look, this is a massive screw-up, I know, but we can fix this.
She wasn't wearing robes. She was in a civilian coat. She was hanging around the restricted hallway, and she got mouthy. I thought she was Tonya Richards. I made a split-second threat assessment."
O'Reilly stopped in front of the bars. He didn't speak. He just stared at Dempsey with a look of such profound, venomous contempt that the words died in Dempsey's throat. "A split-second threat assessment," Fowler repeated, his voice completely devoid of its usual slick, defensive confidence. The union rep set his briefcase on the concrete floor and rubbed his temples as if trying to massage away a massive migraine.
Rick, are you completely out of your mind? Greg, come on, Dempsey pleaded, his knuckles turning white on the bars. I'm one of your best guys. I handle the garbage no one else wants to touch. You know how these people are.
She disrespected the badge. You just have to spin the narrative. Spin the narrative! O'Reilly exploded, his voice echoing violently off the concrete walls. He slammed his fist against the steel bars so hard the metal rattled.
Dempsey actually jumped back. You stupid, arrogant son of a You slapped the presiding judge of the 12th District Court. You split her lip. You think I can spin that? You think the union is going to touch this?
I didn't know who she was, Dempsey shouted back, desperation clawing at his throat. That makes it worse, you idiot, Fowler snapped, pointing a trembling finger at the cell. Your defense is literally, I thought she was just a regular black woman, so it was okay for me to beat her. Do you have any idea what District Attorney Harding is doing right now? She's not just charging you with assault on a public official.
She's charging you with civil rights violations. The FBI has already been notified. Dempsey felt the blood drain from his face. The FBI? Greg, you can't let them do that.