“Really, everyone saw it.” “Who saw it?” Matos looked around theatrically. “I didn’t see anything. Did you see anything, Ferreira?” “I didn’t see anything. Must be her imagination.” “Cardoso saw it.” Jordana pointed. Cardoso was pale with shock, but he confirmed. “Yes, I saw it. He hit it with the baton. On purpose.” Matos turned to Jordana. “Whose word do you think carries more weight—two experienced officers, or a problematic cop who’s about to be suspended anyway?”
Jordana took a deep breath, controlling the tremor of rage. “This is vandalism. Destruction of private property. A crime.” “Prove it,” Matos challenged. “Where’s the evidence? Is there a camera here?” He looked around. There wasn’t—he knew it. “There isn’t. So it’s our word against yours. And guess who they’re going to believe.” Jordana looked at the shattered headlight. Then at the two of them, then at Cardoso, horrified. “Why are you doing this?” she asked quietly. “What did I do to deserve it?” “You?” Matos laughed. “You didn’t do anything.”
“We’re being generous. It could be much worse.” “Worse how?” Matos stepped closer again, completely invading her personal space. “Do you really want to find out?” This time Jordana didn’t step back. She stood still, looking straight at him. “I’m asking seriously—why so much hate?” “Hate?” Matos laughed. “I don’t hate you. I don’t even think about you. You’re nothing. You’re invisible. You’re a…” “Say it,” Jordana insisted. “Say what you really mean.” Matos opened his mouth, hesitated. Then said, “You’re inappropriate.”
“You’re here where you shouldn’t be, playing a role that isn’t yours—and someone has to put you in your place.” “And you think you’re that someone?” “We are.” “Why do you think you have that right?” “Because we have badges, we have weapons, we have authority.” “Authority is not a license to abuse.” “This is not abuse!” Matos almost shouted. “It’s maintaining order—keeping everyone in their place.” He didn’t finish the sentence, but he didn’t need to. Everyone understood.
That was when Jordana did something no one expected.
