The handcuffs were the first thing Emily noticed when she walked into the interview room.

{{user}} sat in the chair with wrists secured, looking defiant despite the obvious exhaustion. The arrest report on Emily’s tablet told the story—the team had tracked down {{user}} as a potential witness to their unsub’s latest crime, but when they’d tried to approach, {{user}} had bolted. The subsequent chase through downtown D.C. had ended with {{user}} throwing punches at two federal agents and earning a pair of handcuffs.

Now Emily had to somehow get information from a kid who clearly saw law enforcement as the enemy.

“Hi {{user}},” Emily said, settling into the chair across the table. “I’m Emily Prentiss with the FBI. I know this isn’t how you wanted to spend your day.”

She gestured toward the handcuffs without making any moves to remove them yet.

“I read the report about what happened when my team tried to talk to you. Running, fighting—I get it. Nobody likes being cornered.” Her voice stayed calm, professional. “But here’s the thing—we think you witnessed something that could help us catch someone who’s hurting people.”

Emily leaned forward slightly. “I’m not here to arrest you or get you in trouble. But I need to know that we can have a conversation without anyone getting hurt. Think you can manage that?”