Brooks glanced between them but said nothing yet.
When Evelyn returned, she gave her version again. This time she claimed Malcolm had stepped over the decorative border near her roses, laughed when she objected, moved close enough that she “could smell his sweat,” and struck her once with his right hand. She demonstrated the motion. Cole asked whether it was an open hand or closed fist. Evelyn hesitated before saying open hand. Brooks asked whether she had fallen. Evelyn said no. Whether she had pain. “Of course I have pain.” Whether she wanted medical attention. “I want him arrested.”
That answer bothered Brooks.
Not because victims never wanted arrests. Many did. But Evelyn had passed every question about her condition quickly and returned to Malcolm’s punishment. Brooks stepped closer to inspect the cheek without touching it. There was no obvious swelling, no redness beyond what might occur naturally in heat, no broken skin. None of that proved the assault had not happened. A slap could leave little visible injury. But it meant they needed more than appearances.
Across the street, Mrs. Patterson was still holding the garden hose. Brooks called to her. “Ma’am, did you see what happened?” The woman looked immediately uncomfortable. “I heard shouting.” “Did you see anyone hit anyone?” Mrs. Patterson looked toward Evelyn, then Malcolm. “I’m not sure.” Evelyn snapped, “Helen, you were standing right there.” Mrs. Patterson’s grip tightened on the hose. “I was watering the hydrangeas.” Brooks asked again, “Did you actually see physical contact?” Mrs. Patterson finally shook her head. “No. I looked over after Evelyn screamed.”
The mail carrier had already moved on. The hedge trimmer two houses down said almost the same thing. He had heard Evelyn accuse Malcolm but had not witnessed a strike. Cole returned to Malcolm. “She says you were arguing.” Malcolm nodded. “She accused me of walking through her roses. I told her I didn’t.” “Did the argument get heated?” “Her voice became loud.” Cole frowned. “I asked about you.” Malcolm met his eyes. “No. I did not become heated.”
Cole took a breath and stepped closer. “Sir, I need you to understand how this looks.” Malcolm’s expression changed slightly. “Then tell me.” Cole lowered his voice. “We have a woman saying you hit her. We have an argument. We have her visibly upset.” Malcolm waited. Cole continued, “That gives us something we have to take seriously.” “You should,” Malcolm said. “Take it seriously enough to investigate it.”
The answer irritated Cole because it sounded like instruction. He looked toward Brooks, then back to Malcolm. “Turn around for me.”
Brooks immediately said, “Evan.”
Cole did not look away from Malcolm. “I’m detaining him while we finish.”
