Marcus approached slowly.
Martha looked at his name badge.
“Officer Reed, have I threatened anyone?”
“No, ma’am.”
“Have I refused identification?”
“No.”
Daniel snapped, “She is trespassing.”
Martha turned toward him.
“A customer does not become a trespasser because a manager dislikes her coat.”
The senior female employee in burgundy lowered her eyes.
She knew Martha was right.
Daniel also knew.
But he had reached the point where admitting error felt more humiliating than escalating it.
He grabbed Martha’s upper arm.
She pulled away.
“Do not touch me.”
Daniel’s face flushed.
Several phones rose among the customers.
He saw them.
Instead of stopping, he decided he needed to end the confrontation quickly.
He drove his foot into her lower torso.
The kick was not accidental.