"Hands up!"
Jason's body froze, arms instinctively rising as Leah advanced toward him, gun drawn and eyes narrowed with a predator's focus. The flickering neon lights above the alley painted her silhouette in sharp, flickering shadows.
"Whoa, whoa, easy," Jason said, palms open, his voice a strained mixture of patience and irritation. "I know what this looks like, but you've got the wrong idea."
Leah didn't blink. Her badge glinted just under her jacket, right above the name tag: Detective L. Moore.
"Step away from the suspect. Now."
Jason looked down at the unconscious man lying beside the dumpster the same guy who'd barreled through a crowd, knocked over a child, and pulled a knife during their scuffle. Jason had been filming a live-action stunt nearby and acted on instinct. But now?
He sighed. "Look, I was just trying to help. That guy ran from security. I stopped him."
"With what? Your Hollywood smile?" Leah snapped. "Get on your knees."
"Seriously? You can't be…"
"Down. Now."
Jason slowly obeyed, fingers interlaced behind his head. A second squad car pulled into the alley. Officer Torres stepped out, radio crackling, as backup arrived.
Leah moved in, snapped the cuffs on him, and read him his rights without missing a beat. Jason's protests were ignored as she marched him toward the car.
"You're making a mistake," he muttered. "My name's Jason Walker. You might wanna Google it."
"Save it for your lawyer."
Soon at the police station, Jason sat behind cold steel bars, the holding cell's fluorescent light buzzing with the same annoying rhythm as his headache. His phone, wallet, and credibility all confiscated.
Across the desk, Leah reviewed the surveillance footage. Her jaw tightened when she saw the unconscious man indeed attacking a bystander before Jason intercepted him. Still, her pride refused to yield. Unauthorized interference, fake prop weapon, civilian in a crime scene it was enough to justify detainment. Technically.
"You still don't believe me," Jason called from the cell. "Even with the footage."
"Believe you? You interfered in an ongoing operation," she snapped.
"I prevented a guy from stabbing someone. But sure, let's punish that."
Just then, the sergeant entered the precinct lobby with a puzzled expression. "Detective Moore, you might wanna see this."
Moments later, A long, black G-wagon followed other black sedans in a convoy rode into the parking lot and parked close to the station's entrance. Out stepped Andrew Walker, sharp suit, steely eyes, and a presence that silenced the entire room. Flanking him were three high-profile attorneys and two security operatives dressed like they walked off the pages of Forbes.
The sergeant fumbled with his words. "Uh, how can we help you?"
Andrew removed his sunglasses with calculated drama. "Jason Walker. Where is he?"
"And you are?"
One of the lawyers answered before Andrew could. "This is Mr. Andrew Walker, acting CEO of Walker Holdings. We're here to ensure Mr. Jason Walker is released immediately."
The sergeant glanced between them and the holding cell. "He was arrested?.."
"Wrongfully," Damian interrupted. "And I suggest you rectify that before this becomes a public relations nightmare."
Leah watched the commotion with a slow-growing sense of unease. She had recognized Jason's name, sure but it hadn't clicked. Not until now.
Jason Walker. Son of Richard Walker. Billionaire heir to one of the most powerful private equity dynasties on the East Coast. Every financial publication, every gala, every charity headline, Jason was that Jason.
Leah's stomach dropped. She turned toward the cell.
Jason raised an eyebrow. "Still think I'm faking it?"
The door buzzed open, and Andrew swept into the room, jaw tight. "You alright?"
Jason stood. "Aside from the false arrest? Peachy."
The lead attorney handed over a file with legal documents. "We're pressing for immediate dismissal and potential civil claims pending investigation."
Leah stepped forward. "I didn't realize who he was."
"Exactly," Damian said coldly. "You didn't realize. You didn't check. You saw a man in costume and assumed the worst."
Leah opened her mouth to argue but found no words.
Meanwhile, A freelance crime blogger named Tanya was sneaking around the station hoping to get latest news and information. She'd been tipped off about the mall fight but missed the action. Now, she stared through her camera lens trying to find things to capture
Click.
She froze.
Jason Walker. In a holding cell. In cuffs.
"Holy..." she whispered, snapping more shots.
Within minutes, the photo hit her blog. And then Twitter. Then TikTok. Then the front page of a tabloid site.
BREAKING: Billionaire Heir Jason Walker Spotted in Jail; Allegedly Arrested in Crime Scene Brawl
One of the assistants hurriedly brings a tablet to Andrew to show him the news.
Andrew swore under his breath. "Too late."
"I need a word with your Chief" he said facing Leah