The other approached Buzzcut and Red Cap. “Gentlemen, we need you to stay right here.”
“We were just—”
“Save it.” The officer pulled out his radio. “Dispatch, we need NYPD at Mercy General. Assault on federal property.”
Buzzcut’s face went white. “Wait, federal?”
“This is a hospital that receives federal funding,” I explained calmly. “Assaulting a federal official on federal property is a federal crime. Title 18, Section 111.”
Red Cap’s phone slipped from his hand. “Oh my God.”
A doctor rushed out with a wheelchair. “Ms. Martinez? Let’s get you inside.”
“Not yet. I want to make sure these two don’t leave.”
“We’re not going anywhere,” the first security officer confirmed. “Police are two minutes out.”
The woman who’d helped me spoke up. “I have the whole thing on my phone too. I started recording when I saw them laughing at her.”
“Perfect. I’ll need that footage,” I said.
Two police cars pulled into the lot. Lights flashing.
Four officers emerged.
“Officer Ramirez,” one of them approached me. “Ms. Martinez, are you alright?”
“I’ve been better, Jorge.”
“You know her?” Buzzcut asked weakly.