Another held a folder.
Agent Evelyn Knox walked in front.
She was tall, dressed in a navy suit, with gray at her temples and eyes that missed nothing.
Harlan’s voice changed immediately.
“Can I help you?”
Knox held up her credentials.
“Federal Civil Rights Task Force.”
“Lieutenant Brooke Harlan, step away from Mr. Hayes.”
Voss stared.
Delgado stopped moving.
The park seemed to forget how to breathe.
Harlan forced a laugh.
“This is a local enforcement matter.”
Knox did not blink.
“No.”
“It is now a federal investigation scene.”
Harlan’s face tightened.
“You have no authority to interfere with an active police response.”
Knox looked at my cuffs.
“Remove them.”
Harlan did not move.
Knox repeated the words, colder this time.
“Remove them now.”
Voss glanced at Harlan.
For the first time, he looked unsure.
Harlan nodded sharply.
Voss unlocked the cuffs.
My wrists burned as the metal came away.
Tyrell ran to me.
I dropped to my knees and caught him.
He sobbed against my shoulder.
“I’m sorry, Dad.”
I held him tighter.
“You didn’t do anything wrong.”
He looked at the ruined cake.
“They broke it.”
“I know.”
“They said they might take me.”
I looked over his head at Harlan.
“No one is taking you.”
Agent Knox’s team spread through the pavilion.
One agent photographed the spilled soda, the scattered permit papers, the torn decorations, and the cake on the ground.
Another collected statements.
A third asked for videos from parents.
Maya handed over her phone.
So did Andre.
So did three mothers, two teenagers, and a grandmother who said she had recorded from the moment the first cruiser arrived.
Harlan’s radio crackled.
She reached for it.
Knox stopped her.
“Leave communications open.”
“No private calls.”
Harlan’s eyes flashed.
“You are treating me like a suspect.”
Knox looked at her.
“That is accurate.”
The words hit the pavilion harder than any shout.
Delgado muttered, “This is insane.”
Knox turned to him.
“Officer Delgado, you were observed disturbing party property after being informed a permit existed.”
He paled.
