My name is Anthony Freeman, he said in the voice he used for press conferences and funerals. A voice that did not need volume because it had weight. I am the chief of police of this city. Badge number one. Sworn in on the 14th of March on the steps of city hall.
He turned his head slightly. These two officers work for me. The dispatcher you spoke to this afternoon works for me. Both times you called her. Ma'am, you were lying to my employee.
Officer Grady came to attention so hard his belt creaked. Chief. Chief. Managed boil. An octave high.
The word landed on Dogwood Lane like weather. Porches inhaled. The retired school teacher's arms uncrossed. Somebody whispered, "Lord, have mercy." With deep, unhurried satisfaction. And at the picnic table, Mama Ernestine closed her eyes briefly, like a woman hearing the choir hit the note she came for.
And in a precinct lobby across town hung a portrait nobody ever looked at. By Monday, everybody would. Lindsay Whitley laughed. It was the wrong instinct, but it was the only one she had left in stock. A bright, brittle, beautiful laugh aimed at the badge.
Okay. Okay. That's You can buy those online. That's a costume. Todd, tell them about the costume.
Todd said nothing. Todd's phone was drifting downward like a wounded bird. Ma'am. Grady said. I stood honor guard at his swearing in four rows back.
That is the chief of police. That is his mother whose birthday you have interrupted. And this is his lawn which you have been photographing since 1:00. You could watch the arithmetic behind her lovely face. Every number was coming back with the same remainder.
Panic went through her eyes first. Then out of pure muscle memory came the pivot, the doubling, the victim gear grinding as it engaged. "Well," she said, "Well, I don't care what he's chief of. He still threatened me. I still felt unsafe.
That is still a crime, and I still have evidence." And Todd got every second of baby. Todd's voice came out small from somewhere near his boat shoes. Maybe we should go home. Do not baby me right now, Todd. Anthony had not moved.