For a fraction of a second, his confidence disappeared.
Then he recovered.
"Everything is recorded."
"Exactly."
He looked at her.
Naomi noticed the patrol car's camera.
She noticed the body cameras.
She also noticed Jenkins' camera light.
That gave her an idea.
"Officer Jenkins?"
The young officer looked at her.
"Yes?"
"I want the record to show that I have not consented to any search."
Jenkins swallowed.
"Okay."
"And that I have complied with every instruction."
He nodded.
Mitchell slammed the car door.
"Stop trying to control the situation."
"I'm not."
"You think your law degree makes you special?"
"No."
"You think you can tell police officers what to do?"
"No."
"Then shut up."
Naomi stared at him.
She remained calm.
But inside, she was furious.
Not because he had insulted her.
Because she knew this behavior wasn't random.
It was a pattern.
People without knowledge of their rights might have panicked.
They might have apologized.
They might have agreed to a search.
They might have done anything simply to make the encounter end.
Mitchell seemed to rely on that fear.
Then he opened the rear door.
"Nothing here."
He searched again.
"No drugs."
Sergeant Miller approached.
"You said you smelled something."
"I did."
"What?"
"Marijuana."
Miller looked toward the car.
"Do you smell it now?"
Mitchell's jaw tightened.
"Strongly."
Jenkins stood behind them.
He looked uncertain.
Naomi saw him glance toward the vehicle.
Then toward Mitchell.
"Sergeant," Jenkins said quietly, "I don't smell anything."
The silence was immediate.
Mitchell turned.
"What did you say?"
"I said I don't smell anything."
Miller looked at him.
"You're new. Maybe you don't know what it smells like."
Jenkins lowered his eyes.
"Yes, sir."
But Donovan heard every word.
He also understood something important.
The problem wasn't only Greg Mitchell.
The problem was the culture that allowed someone like Mitchell to behave this way.
Donovan slowly reached for the door.
Naomi noticed.
She didn't move.
Donovan stepped out.
Rain fell across his face.
Mitchell turned.
For one second, he didn't recognize him.
Then his eyes widened.
The flashlight dropped slightly.
Sergeant Miller froze.
Jenkins stared.
Donovan closed the passenger door.
"Evening."
Nobody responded.
Donovan looked at Mitchell.
"Officer."
Mitchell's face went pale.
"Chief?"
Naomi crossed her arms.
Donovan walked toward his wife.
"Are you okay?"
"I'm fine."
He turned toward the officers.
Then he looked at Mitchell's nameplate.
"Greg Mitchell."
Mitchell swallowed.
"Chief, I—"
"Don't."
Donovan's voice was quiet.
That was worse than shouting.
He looked at Miller.
"Sergeant."
"Chief."
"How long have you been on scene?"
Miller checked his watch.
"Approximately six minutes."
"Good."
Donovan pointed toward the patrol vehicles.
"Nobody turns off a camera."
Nobody moved.
"Nobody deletes anything."
Mitchell tried to speak.
"Chief, there has been a misunderstanding."
Donovan looked directly into his eyes.
"No."
A long silence followed.
"There was a traffic stop."
Donovan continued.
"Then there was an accusation of dangerous driving."
He looked at Naomi.
"Then a claim of contraband."
Then back to Mitchell.
"Then a search without consent."
Mitchell's face tightened.
"I believed I had probable cause."
"Based on what?"
Mitchell said nothing.
Donovan nodded slowly.
"That's what I thought."
He turned to Jenkins.
"Officer."
"Yes, Chief."
"Did you personally observe my wife driving outside her lane?"
Jenkins hesitated.
"No, sir."
"Did you smell marijuana?"
"No, sir."
Donovan looked at Miller.
"And you?"
Miller remained silent.
Finally he said, "I relied on Officer Mitchell's observation."
Donovan nodded.
"That's going into the report."
Mitchell stepped forward.
"Chief, with respect—"
"You've already had your opportunity to explain."
Donovan looked toward Naomi.
"Let's go home."
Naomi picked up her purse.
Before entering the car, she looked back at Mitchell.
"Officer Mitchell?"
He looked at her.
"You should remember something."
He waited.
"A badge doesn't make a person above the law."
Then she entered the vehicle.
Donovan followed.
The sedan pulled away.
Behind them, the three officers remained standing in the rain.